Expert witness services for water utility rate case

Public Notice. Issued by Office of the People's Counsel. Category: Expert witness service. The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel is an independent state agency which represents the interests of residential and noncommercial users in all matters or proceedings before the Maryland Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In all such matters and proceedings, OPC has the rights of counsel for a party to the proceeding, including the right to participate in all discovery, motions, hearings, and appeals. The duties and powers of OPC are set forth in Public Utilities Article §§ 2-204 and 2-205. Following the 2021 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly expanded OPC’s mandate to require OPC to consider the “environmental interests of the State and its residents, including the State’s progress toward meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals.” OPC is seeking expert consulting and testimony services to assist OPC in Artesian Water Company, Inc.’s application to increase rates and charges for services and amend certain tariff provisions (Maryland Public Service Commission Case Number 9907). OPC seeks consultants to review Artesian Water Company, Inc.’s filing, testimony, exhibits, workpapers, discovery responses, and related materials; assist OPC in discovery and issue identification; develop recommended adjustments or policy positions; prepare testimony and exhibits; review rebuttal or surrebuttal testimony; assist OPC counsel in hearing preparation; provide support for settlement discussions and briefing as needed; and provide technical review or analysis, as requested, to support OPC’s public-facing summaries or communications regarding the case, including after testimony is filed or after the Commission issues an order.