CONSULTING EXPERIENCE

JoLynn Rains is a Principal Consultant with Economists.com.  She has worked as an Economist in the electric and natural gas industries for the past 15 years.   Mrs. Rains has advised national retail customers on issues relating to electricity budgets, evaluation of electric and natural gas tariff applications and review of contracts with private parties, utilities and property management companies.  She has been involved in extensive statistical research, data compilation and analytical review for natural gas and electric restructuring projects throughout the United States.  She has provided quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and support for testimony filed before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Oregon, Washington, Utah and California Public Utilities Commission.  Mrs. Rains has managed a variety of RFP issuances and responses and made recommendations for clients in the procurement of natural gas and electricity in the deregulated market place. 

 

Selected Projects and Engagements

• 2002 – Present  Advisor to Nordstrom, Inc. on energy issues for 150 stores and distribution centers in 24 states. Solicit and evaluate energy price offers from power suppliers.  Inform Nordstrom of issues involved in purchasing in the market based on current deregulation and market issues based on location of facilities. Evaluation of market and tariff options available including dollar and resource impact of all options.  Evaluate the impact of proposed rate changes and rate options made available by gas and electric utilities. 
• Prepare advisory report for upper management, reviewing regulatory developments, advise management on important state and federal regulatory trends or issues that may impact energy transactions and decisions and identify proposed treatments of utility rate technical issues and their impact on Nordstrom.
• Additional projects include forecasting $50 million electricity budget, evaluation of appropriate tariff applications and on-going review of contracts and property management company charges. Review electricity budgets quarterly and make recommendations for necessary changes.

• 2006 – Present City of Portland Audit of Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) Franchise Fees.  Review and verify  2003-2006 CLEC methodology for cacluation of 5% Gross Revenues Franchise Fee and evaluate compliance with City of Portland ordinances.

• 2000 – Present   Successful purchase of electricity and natural gas on behalf of a variety of clients in the Texas, Georgia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Illinois markets.  Prepare, distribute and evaluate results of commodity terms and purchase requests.  Make recommendations to clients, negotiate contract terms and facilitate transactions.  Monitor contract implmentation and review billings for application of contract terms.
• 2005 – Present   Research TX PUC rulings and applications concerning Renewable Energy Credits.  Research value of credits in the electricity market.  Research available grants for renewable energy at the national and Texas state level.

 

Complex Litigation Support

• Performed comprehensive review of model and expert witness testimony on behalf of CGU International Insurance.  Reconstructed and evaluated detailed life valuation model.  Evaluate and advise legal tem on witness deposition and cross-examination.
• Expert testimony support for International Chamber of Commerce case involving multi-national companies contract dispute. Develop and maintain a litigation support database of documentation relative to the case including all phases of filings, testimony and  documentation.
• Statistical research, data and policy analysis in support of expert witness testimony presented to US House and Senate Committees addressing the effects of the Enron bankruptcy on the Western Power markets.         

• Qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in support of expert witness testimony for appeal of Pacific Northwest Utility long-term power contracts and Pacific Northwest Market Refund Proceeding before FERC.

• Statistical research, data compilation and analytical review for advising the California Attorney General on possible market manipulation in the WSCC power markets.  Data research, compilation and analytical support for testimony before the California State Senate Select Committee to Investigate Price Manipulation of the Wholesale Energy Markets.

• Qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in support of Expert Witness Testimony for large industrial customers before the Public Service Commission of Utah and the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.

 

EDUCATION
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
BS Major in Economics
Specialization in Statistical Mathematics