IDIA 614 Sequential Visualization and Analysis
Data Representation - BGE Research Artifact
David Pepper
Hi Mr. Dasher,
Thank you so much for your help.
To restate my project now that it is taking shape:
For a University of Baltimore Graduate School class I am designing a BGE Stabilization Deferral modeling tool that will allow users to input BGE bill data from 2006 and make projections of future bills based on models of the stabilization deferral phase 1, and the proposed stabilization deferral phase 2. It is my hope that the tool will be able to be used to accurately predict future bills, and can play a role in how consumers make decisions about their use of energy as well as enhancing their understanding of public policy related to it.
In this case, software development can be seen as both a tool for consumers and a kind of new media journalism. This list of questions is an opportunity for BGE to vet the assumptions that are being used to make the software.
First I want to do some fact checking on the notes from our 4/3 conversation, and then there is a list of questions (listed in order of importance) which may require some research to resolve. In particular, if I could have only one thing which would help me develop this tool it would be the amortization schedules listed in 18. and 19 below.
Throughout the following sections, numbers are used to facilitate dialog. Please feel free to refer to the facts and questions by number.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David Pepper
C:###-###-####
H:###-###-####
fname.lname@isp.net
-------------
Fact checking
-------------
Here are my notes from 4/3 please indicate if I have captured these facts accurately:
Stabilization Deferral Phase 1
------------------------------
1. no opt out
2. in effect 6/1/06-5/31/07
3. repayment to be "phased in" over 10 years
4. pot of accumulated debt bears interest
Repayment
5. "averaged by number of customers"
6. shouldered by all people in pot
7. weighted by use (i.e. weighted average, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weighted_mean)
8. defaults subtract from, immigrants add to population (i.e. no repayment if leave BGE/state)
Proposed Stabilization Deferral Phase 2
---------------------------------------
9. no opt out
10. to take effect 6/1/07-12/31/07
11. repayment "phased in" over 2 years
12. pot of accumulated debt bears interest
Repayment
13. "averaged by number of customers"
14. shouldered by all people in pot
15. weighted by use (i.e. weighted average, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weighted_mean)
16. defaults subtract from, immigrants add to population (i.e. no repayment if leave BGE/state)
------------------
Specific Questions
------------------
17. My understanding is that the stabilization deferral only applies to the electricity portion of the bill. Does this cover the entire projected increase in the bill? I.e. Was a rise in gas commodity and/or delivery prices part of the projected 72%/65% increase?
18. In #3 above (phase 1), what is the amortization schedule for the phase in period? (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amortization)
19. In #11 above (phase 2), what is the amortization schedule for the phase in period? (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amortization)
20. How is the weighted average described in 7. (phase 1) calculated? I.e. what is the relationship between use of electricity and the fee?
21. How is the weighted average described in 15. (phase 2) calculated? I.e. what is the relationship between use of electricity and the fee?
22. In #4 above (phase 1), what method of calculating interest is used? What rate? Is it variable? Is it compounding? If so on what schedule?
23. In #12 above (phase 2), what method of calculating interest is used? What rate? Is it variable? Is it compounding? If so on what schedule?
24. The wording in "Connections Special Edition July 06" says "The [phase 1] recovery fee will be modest and vary with usage." What are the components of the fee and how is a customer's use (relative to other customers) used to generate the fee?
25. Is the 65% percent revised rate increase mentioned in the February and March Connections calculated by subtracting the 15% increase which was not covered by the stabilization deferral from the projected 72% increase? If not, how is it calculated? I.e. What period of time is it an increase from/to?
26. How can BGE customers access the Phase 1 bill/law?
27. How can BGE customers access the phase 2 proposal and/or the resulting bill?
28. When would the rate increase have kicked in without phase 1? 6/1/07?