I've been putting off taking the CUBA Level II exam for too long and think a study group might be the motivation I need. Anyone in the Southeast interested in forming a virtual study group? I'm in Huntsville but happy to coordinate via conference calls. TVA territory gives me good experience with federal utility structures, but I know I need to brush up on investor-owned utility practices and regulatory frameworks. Thinking we could meet monthly and work through practice scenarios together.
CUBA certification study groups - anyone interested in starting one?
Albert, I'd be interested! Also need to tackle Level II this year. Georgia Power experience should complement your TVA background well. I've got the CUBA study materials but find them pretty dry to work through alone. Monthly calls sound perfect - maybe we could rotate who presents different topics each session? I could handle the investor-owned utility regulatory section since I deal with Georgia PSC issues regularly.
Count me in if you'll have someone from Pennsylvania. PPL Electric experience here in Harrisburg - deal with PJM market issues that might be helpful for the deregulation section of the exam. I passed Level I last year but have been intimidated by the Level II material. Study group accountability would definitely help push me to actually schedule the exam. Could contribute sections on transmission cost recovery and capacity market mechanics.
Room for one more? I'm in Springfield, Missouri - Ameren territory. Been meaning to upgrade from Level I for about two years now. The rate design section always trips me up, especially time-of-use optimization strategies. Empire Electric and Ameren Missouri have different approaches to demand response programs that might add some variety to our discussions. Happy to tackle the municipal utility section since we have several muni's in our service area.
This sounds great - I'm in Boise working mostly with Idaho Power territory. Been certified at Level I for three years but the Level II exam scope seems enormous. Would love to join your group if you're still accepting members. I could contribute insights on rural cooperative structures and irrigation rate schedules that might be useful. Western U.S. utility practices differ enough from southeastern approaches that we should get good variety in perspectives.
Excellent response! We've got great geographic coverage - TVA, Georgia Power, PPL, Ameren, and Idaho Power should give us diverse utility experience to draw from. Let me set up a conference line and send everyone contact info. I'm thinking first Tuesday of each month, 7 PM Eastern? That's 5 PM Mountain time for Warren. We can start with the fundamentals review section and work through systematically. Goal would be to all sit for the exam in December.
Mind if I join late? Just saw this thread and it sounds exactly like what I need. I'm Cecilia from Cincinnati - Duke Energy Ohio territory. Passed Level I two years ago but work has been crazy busy. Having a structured study schedule with accountability partners would be perfect. I could contribute sections on transmission cost allocation and MISO market structures if that's helpful. First Tuesday works great for my schedule.
Albert, this is a fantastic initiative. I took Level II last year and would be happy to serve as a resource for your group if needed. Entergy Louisiana territory gave me good exposure to MISO South issues that might be relevant for your studies. The case study section can be tricky - having multiple perspectives on problem-solving approaches really helps. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to review practice answers or clarify confusing concepts.
Juan, that's a generous offer - definitely will take you up on that during our studies. Albert, should we create a shared folder for study materials and practice problems? I've got some good case studies from Georgia PSC dockets that might be useful for the regulatory analysis section. Also found some helpful rate design worksheets that walk through different time-of-use optimization scenarios step by step.
Great suggestion Derek. I can contribute some PJM capacity market case studies that really helped me understand the transmission cost components. Also have spreadsheet templates for different rate calculation methods that might speed up practice problem work. Looking forward to our first session - having this group should make the Level II material much more manageable than trying to tackle it solo.
Perfect timing on this group formation. Just got approval from my company to reimburse the Level II exam fee, so I'm fully committed now! Will start reviewing the fundamentals section this week. Albert, send me that conference line info when you get it set up. Really appreciate you taking the initiative to organize this - exactly what I needed to finally tackle Level II.