Summary of Experience
Mr. Yardley has been an advisor to private and public organizations in the energy industry on regulatory, public policy, and strategic issues for 35 years. During that time, he served as the Chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for two years and has been active in public policy matters as a speaker, facilitator, and expert witness. As the DPU Chairman, Mr. Yardley regulated the electricity, natural gas, water, telecommunications, and transportation industries in Massachusetts.
Trained as an economist with strong analytical skills, Mr. Yardley has an in-depth understanding of the competitive challenges facing regulated and unregulated energy firms as well as the policy challenges facing government agencies responsible for overseeing the restructuring of the energy industry, including the “Utility of the Future” concepts. Mr. Yardley has testified before state and federal regulatory agencies on policy initiatives, earnings attrition, incentive regulation, integrated resource planning, distribution system planning, interstate pipeline ratemaking, and emergency response plans and performance. Additionally, he has designed and led large industry collaboratives on retail customer choice and distributed generation, and facilitated client stakeholder meetings.
Mr. Yardley studied Economics at George Washington University and completed all Master’s coursework at Boston College with comprehensive written exams in Econometrics, Monetary Theory and International Trade. He also serves on Concentric’s Board of Directors.
Education
A.B.D., Economics, Boston College
B.A., Economics, Georgetown University
Testified Before
Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board; Arizona Corporation Commission; Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control; Federal District Court; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Maine Public Utilities Commission; Maryland Public Service Commission; Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities; New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission; Ontario Energy Board; Régie de l’énergie du Québec; Texas Public Utility Commission; Tucson Electric Power Company; Wisconsin Public Service Commission
Case Studies
Natural Gas LDC Highest and Best Use Study
Concentric conducted an analysis on the highest and best use of a local distribution company’s (“LDC”) assets. Specifically, we: Analyzed the value of potential supplemental service offerings and alternative uses of the LDC’s infrastructure in an effort to optimize the utility of these assets while maintaining reliable service to existing customers; Assessed the potential for broader […]
New York Reforming the Energy Vision (REV)
Since 2014, Concentric has provided regulatory advisory and Project Management Office (PMO) to New York’s investor-owned electric utilities related to their collaborative participation in New York Public Service Commission policy proceeding that seeks to implement a new vision for the electric industry (referred to as “Reforming Energy Vision” or “REV”). Concentric worked with leaders from […]
Utility Business Model and Regulatory Framework
Concentric organized, delivered, facilitated, and documented two multi-day “Utility-of-the-Future” workshops for a vertically-integrated utility as a level setting exercise that would establish a foundation for development of corporate strategy and participation in an anticipated generic policy proceeding. The first workshop addressed the key change drivers and business model implications, the role of innovation and new […]
Innovation
On behalf of the Canadian Gas Association and the Canadian Electricity Association, Concentric has prepared a discussion paper and three updates for utility executives and provincial regulators that examined the roles that Canada’s utilities and regulators serve to promote innovation. The paper offers a framework to consider the roles for government, utilities, and other private-sector […]
Natural Gas Infrastructure/Operations Alternatives Advisory
We conducted an analysis on the highest and best use of a local distribution company’s (“LDC”) assets. Specifically, we: Analyzed the value of potential supplemental service offerings and alternative uses of the LDC’s infrastructure in an effort to optimize the utility of these assets while maintaining reliable service to existing customers. Assessed the potential for broader […]
Distributed System Implementation Plan
Concentric recently supported AVANGRID’s two New York electric distribution utility subsidiaries, NYSEG and RG&E, in the development of their 2018 Distributed System Implementation Plan. The 2018 NYSEG and RG&E DSIP is a comprehensive five-year plan that presents investments, innovation activities, and changes in utility planning and operations that are designed to deliver value to customers, […]
Publications
Regulator Rationale for Ratepayer-Funded Electricity and Natural Gas Innovation PDF
Stimulating Innovation on Behalf of Canada’s Electricity and Natural Gas Consumers PDF
