DOUGLAS GEGAX
Vita
Department of Economics and Applied Statistics Box 30001/Dept. 3CQ
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-0001
(575) 646-1903; ast Edited: 10/1/2013
I. ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Degrees:
Ph.D., Economics, University of Wyoming, January 1985
B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Economics (minor in Mathematics & English), San Diego State University, May 1980
Areas of Specialization:
Public Utilities, Regulation, and Industrial Organization
Environmental and Resource Economics
Public Finance
Quantitative and Statistical Methods
Academic Positions:
2012 – PresentDistinguished Achievement Professor, New Mexico State University
2003-2012:Professor of Economics, New Mexico State University
1990-2003:Associate Professor of Economics, New Mexico State University (NMSU)
1984-1990:Assistant Professor of Economics, NMSU
1980-1984:Instructor of Economics and research/teaching assistant, University of Wyoming
Academic Awards and Honors:
(1)Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, College of Business Administration and Economics, NMSU, 2007-08
(2)Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, College of Business Administration and Economics, NMSU, 1994-95
(3) Excellence in Funded Research Award, College of Business Administration and Economics, NMSU, 1991-92
(4) Patricia C. Christmore Teaching Award – college nominee, NMSU, January 1990
(5) Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Agriculture Economics and Economics Graduate Student Organization, NMSU, 1987-1988
(6) Phi Kappa Phi, University of Wyoming, spring 1984
(7) Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award, Department of Economics, University of Wyoming, spring 1982 and also spring 1984
(8) Most Outstanding Graduating Economics Student Award, Department of Economics, San Diego State University, spring 1980(9) Phi Beta Kappa, San Diego State University, spring 1980
Teaching Experience:
Principles of MacroeconomicsIndustrial Organization
Principles of MicroeconomicsAdvanced Microeconomic Theory (Graduate)
Intermediate Microeconomic TheorySeminar in Public Utilities Regulation (Graduate)
Managerial EconomicsMathematical Economics
Managerial Economics (Graduate)Advanced Macroeconomic Theory (Graduate)
Advanced Mathematical Economics (Graduate)Econometrics (graduate)
Mathematical StatisticsBusiness Calculus
Economic StatisticsIntroduction to Economics
II. Summary of Teaching Evaluations (1997 – 2013)
OutstandingVery GoodSatisfactoryPoorTerrible
(1) Teacher’s familiarity with the subject82.9%17.1%0%0%0%
(2) Teacher’s ability to convey knowledge67.5%28.8%4.7%0%0%
(3) Teacher ability to stimulate interest56.9%27.6%15.8%0%0%
(4) Teacher’s enthusiasm87.2%10.6%2.2%0%0%
(5) Teacher’s rapport with students83.3%16.7%0%0%0%
(6) Teacher’s fairness in grading82.1%16.3%1.6%0%0%
(7) Organization of class65.1%25.2%9.7%0%0%
(8) Overall quality of teaching60.1%35.7%4.2%0%0%
III. STUDENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND Other Teaching Contributions
Dr. Gegax has served on over 280 graduate oral exams over the last 29 years.
As Graduate Director of the Masters in Economics with a Public Utilities Option, Dr. Gegax works with Larryto secure internships and permanent employment positions for the over 100traditional graduates from this masters program. Approximately 95 percent of these students are still employed at commissions or firms in the telecommunications, electricity and natural gas industries.
Dr. Gegax also directed, developed and taught in the non-traditional format of the Masters in Economics with a Public Utilities Option from 1988 to 1995. In this format, individuals – already working in the utilities area – came to NMSU for three consecutive (condensed) 5-week summer sessions in order to earn their degrees. Twenty-five graduates – from commissions and companies all over the nation – successfully earned their Masters in Economics with a Public Utilities Option under this non-tradition format.
IV. THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES
Dr. Gegax currently serves as Director for the Center for Public Utilities (CPU) and has been a member of the CPU since 1986. The CPU is housed in the College of Business Administration and Economics at NMSU and has been in existence since 1978. The CPU produces issues conferences, training courses, conference proceedings and instruction/training materials for directors, managers and professional staff at firms and federal and state commissions in the telecommunications, electricity, natural gas and water industries. Dr. Gegax, along with Dr. Larry Blank, develops the course outlines and objectives pertaining to, teach in, and handle the logistics of running, these conferences. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) officially sanctions the programs offered by the CPU. The only other university utilities training program sanctioned by NARUC is at MichiganStateUniversity. In total, the CPU conferences average around 450 attendees per year and these attendees come from all 50 states as well as many foreign countries. The CPU generates approximately $350,000 of gross revenues per year. The CPU’s Advisory Council also serves as a conduit for procuring internships and permanent employment for NMSU graduates with a MA in economics under the public utilities option.
The overlap between the CPU activities and the MA in economics with a Public Utilities Option strengthens the content of the Masters Program. The Masters Program is structured as to have a balance between theory and application. The input the CPU receives from individuals who are currently “in the trenches” allows the Masters Program to be continually updated to reflect real world conditions and applications as the “regulated” industries evolve. In the end, this produces a graduate from the Masters Program with the up-front skills needed to make an immediate contribution to the employer.
V. PUBLICATIONS
Intellectual Contributions: Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
“Econometric Benchmarking of Electric Distribution Utilities in the Philippines,” with Larry Blank and Ben Widner, forthcoming March 2012, Asian Social Science.
“An Opportunity Cost Model for Electric Utility Efficiency Programs and the Development of Shared Savings Incentives,” with Larry Blank, November 2011,the Electricity Journal.
“A Dynamic Model of Insurgency: The Case of the War in Iraq,” with Larry Blank, Carl Enomoto, and Cade Simmons, spring 2009, Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy, The Berkeley Electronic Press.
“Why Electricity Deregulation Failed in New Mexico,” New Mexico Business Forum, June 2006
“Municipalization Under Deregulation: A Cautionary Tale,” with David Daniel, The Journal of Applied Research and Public Policy, Summer 2000.
“Price and Non-Price Conservation Policies for Urban Residential Water,” with Tom McGuckin and Ari Michelson, New Mexico Journal of Science, V. 38, November 1998.
"Validating Conjoint and Hedonic Preference Measures: Evidence from Valuing Reductions in Risk," with Linda Stanley, Journal of Business and Economics. Spring, 1997.
"Competitive Entry in the Electric Utility Industry: A Summary," with Kenneth Nowotny, Yale Journal on Regulation. Winter, 1993, 63-87.
"Perceived Risk and the Marginal Value of Safety," with Shelby Gerking and William Schulze, The Review of Economics and Statistics. November 1991, 589-596.
"Industrial Cogeneration and Regulatory Policy," with Paulette Barclay and John Tschirhart, Journal of Regulatory Economics, V.I, 3, September 1989, 225-240.
"Estimating Evaluations of Safety from Labor Market Data: A New Measure of Risk," with Shelby Gerking and William Schulze, Seminarberrichte der Gesselschaft furRegionalforschung, V.22, November 1985, 81-108.
"An Analysis of Interfirm Cooperation: Theory and Evidence from Electric Power Pools," with John Tschirhart, Southern Economic Journal, V. 50, April 1984, 1077-1097.
Submissions to Peer-Reviewed Journals and Work in Progress:
“Assessing the FERC’s Sunk Cost and Original Purpose ‘Doctrine’ for Existing RTO Transmission Facilities,” with Larry Blank, under review at Yale Journal on Regulation.
“Why do Electric Utilities Advertise?” with Larry Blank, Shaun McQuitty and Paul Turner
“Cost-Based Assignment of Demand-Related Costs to the Residential Energy Charge,” with Larry Blank
Intellectual Contributions: Book Chapters:
"Natural Monopoly Measures and Regulatory Policy," Public Utility Regulation: TheEconomic and Social Control of Industry, Kenneth Nowotny, David Smith and Harry Trebing (eds.), Kluwer-Nijhof Publisher, Boston, 1989.
"A Critique of Ramsey Pricing," with Kenneth Nowotny, Public Utility Regulation in an Environment of Change, Patrick Mann and Harry Trebing (eds.), Michigan State University Press, Ann Arbor, 1987.
Intellectual Contributions: Reviewed Published Reports for Public Consumption:
“An Analysis of Transferring Professional and Legal Staff from the Public Regulation Commission to the Attorney General’s Office”; A report to the New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, filed at the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission; this report was a requirement of the NMPRC as per House Memorial 63 from the 2012 Regular Session of the New Mexico Legislature; September, 2012.
“Funding the Costs of Public Utility Regulation: A Summary of State Utility Commission Funding Characteristics in the U.S. and Recommendations for New Mexico,” with Larry Blank; A report to the New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, filed at the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and to be distributed to the 2011 New Mexico legislative Session; November, 2010.
“Potential Restructuring of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission: A Summary of Other State Utility Commission Characteristics and Recommendations for New Mexico,” with Larry Blank; A report to the New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, filed at the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and to be distributed to the 2011 New Mexico legislative Session; August, 2010.
“Investigation of the Implementation of Intra-governmental Wheeling of Renewable Electricity,” written summaries and oral comments on behalf of the state of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with Larry Blank, June 2008 – June 2009 workshops, Docket No. 2007-0176 at the Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission.
“Rate Design Issues Surrounding Distributed Generation,” oral comments on behalf of the Hawaiian Electric Company, October – December, 2004, Docket No. 03-0371 at the Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission.
“Cost-Based Methodologies for Unbundled Regulation and Frequency Response Services for a Non-Standard Customer,” expert written and oral testimony on behalf of the United States (Western Area Power Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice), June – December 2004, in the United States Court of Federal Claims, Case No. 00238C, North Star Steel Company (plaintiff) vs. the United States (defendant).
“Cost of Service Analysis for Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste and Gas: Final Report to the City of Las Cruces,” with Tom McGuckin. A report to the City Council of Las Cruces, New Mexico and entered into the public record, September 15, 2003. Based on this analysis, and supporting oral testimony by Gegax and McGuckin, the City Council voted 6 – 1 to adopt this study’s recommended rate increases.
“An Analysis of Electric Deregulation and its Effects on Consumers: Why New Mexico’s Electric Utility Restructuring Act Should be Repealed,” with Tom McGuckin, A report to the New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid, filed at the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and distributed to the 2003 New Mexico legislative Session, December, 2002. This analysis contributed to the NM legislative repeal of the NM retail-restructuring act.
“Comments on WestConnect’s RTO Application to the FERC,” with Tom McGuckin; written testimony on behalf of the New Mexico Attorney General; January, 2003.
“The Effects of California’s Electricity Markets On Western States’ Restructuring Efforts: The Case of New Mexico,” with Paul Turner, filed at the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and distributed to the 2001 New Mexico legislative Session. This analysis contributed to the NM legislative delay of implementing the separations provision in the NM restructuring act.
“Economic Analysis of Texas-New Mexico Power Company’s Customer-Choice Pilot Program,” with Tom McGuckin, filed at the New Mexico Public Utilities Commission, fall 1999. This was the only retail electric customer-choice pilot program ever implemented in New Mexico.
“Application for the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and for Approval of Rate Schedules,” direct written and rebuttal testimony on behalf of Texas-New Mexico Power Company, filed at the New Mexico Public Utilities Commission, fall 1997.
“Alternative Cost and Water Allocation Methods: The Case of the Lower Arkansas River,” with Tom McGuckin, Lower Arkansas Water Management Association Reports, summer 1997.
“Price and Non-Price Water Conservation Programs for Western Irrigation Districts,” with Tom McGuckin, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Reports. Fall, 1996.
“Economic Impacts of Retail Wheeling on the State of New Mexico,” with Suedeen Kelly and David Smith, December 1994, filed at the New Mexico Public Utility Commission and distributed to the 1995 New Mexico legislative Session.
“Economic Theory and the Proposed Regulations Governing Independent Power Producers, with Kenneth Nowotny, written testimony submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., on behalf of Southwest Public Service Company, June- July, 1988.
VI. ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
“Accommodating Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Mandates while Minimizing Ratepayer Impacts.” Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners, Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 3, 2013.
The Wages of Wins: Taking Measure of the Many Myths in Modern Sport: A Roundtable Discussion; Western Social Science Association annual meetings; April 20, 2006; Phoenix, Arizona
“Base-Load Baseball Fans and Attendance: A Useful Measure of Die-Hard versus Casual Fans”; Western Social Science Association annual meetings; April 16, 2005; Albuquerque, New Mexico
“Electricity Deregulation and Market Power in the Desert Southwest,” Market Power Conference, National Regulatory Research Institute, OhioStateUniversity, April 9-10, 2001, Columbus, Ohio.
“California’s Deregulated Energy Markets: Impacts on Western States’ Deregulation Efforts,” with Paul Turner, American Economic Association Meetings, January 5-7, 2001, New Orleans.
“Fully-Distributed-Cost Pricing in a Stochastic Environment: Are Apologies Necessary?” American Economics Association Meetings, January 4, 1991, New Orleans.
“Efficiency and Incentive Measures in Regulated Industries,” Discussant, American Economics Association Meetings, December 29, 1990, Washington, D.C.
“Assessing the Impacts of Financial Regulatory Incentives on Electric Utility Investment in Conservation,” Western Social Science Association Meetings, April 26-28, 1989, Albuquerque.
“Competition versus Regulation: The Role of Entry in Achieving Efficiency in the Electric Power Industry,” Conference on Current Issues Challenging the Regulatory Process, April 14-17, 1986, Albuquerque.
“Alternative Methods for Valuing Safety: A Direct Comparison Between the Hedonic and Contingent Valuation Approaches,” Regional Science Meetings, November 10, 1984, Denver.
“An Analysis of Interfirm Cooperation: Theory and Evidence from Electric Power Pools,” American Economics Association Meetings, December 29, 1983, San Francisco.
VII. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND ORAL TESTIMONY
“Application of Public Service Company of New Mexico for Approval of Electric Energy Efficiency Programs and Program Cost Tariff Rider,” expert witness written and oral testimony on behalf of the New Mexico Attorney General, winter 2012 - 2013, Docket No. 12-00317-UT at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
“Application of El Paso Electric Company for Approval of New and Modified Energy Efficiency Programs,” expert witness written and oral testimony on behalf of the New Mexico Attorney General, summer 2012, Docket No. 11-00047-UT at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
“Rate Design Issues Surrounding Distributed Generation,” oral comments on behalf of the Hawaiian Electric Company, October – December, 2004, Docket No. 03-0371 at the Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission.
“Cost-Based Methodologies for Regulation and Frequency Response Services for a Non-Standard Customer,” expert witness written and oral testimony on behalf of the United States (Western Area Power Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice), June – December 2004, in the United States Court of Federal Claims, Case No. 00238C, North Star Steel Company (plaintiff) vs. the United States (defendant).
“A Public Seminar on the Proposed Utility Rate Increases For the City of Las Cruces,” with Tom McGuckin, City Council Chambers; Las Cruces, New Mexico; July 8, 2003.
“The Use of Industry Cost Yardsticks in Performance-Based Regulation: The Case of Philippine Electric Utilities,” a presentation to the Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission; Manila, Philippines; March 26, 2002.
“Why New Mexico’s Electricity Restructuring Act Should be Delayed,” with Paul Turner, oral testimony to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, September 26, 2000, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“California’s Electricity Markets: Lessons Learned for New Mexico,” with Paul Turner, oral testimony to the New Mexico Legislative Council’s Economic and Rural Development and Telecommunications Committee, September 19, 2000, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
“Deregulation Models Across the United States,” with Suedeen Kelly, Tom McGuckin and Paul Turner, the Office of the New Mexico State Attorney General, Santa Fe, New Mexico; March 29-31, 2000.
“Economic Impacts of Retail Wheeling on the State of New Mexico,” with David Smith, oral testimony to the New Mexico Legislative Energy Committee; November 21, 1995; Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“Economic Theory and Applications to Public Policy in the Energy Industries,” Moderator, Conference on Current Issues Challenging the Regulatory Process, March 8-10, 1989, Santa Fe.
“The Economics of Telecommunications,”Discussant, U.S. West Academic Seminar, August 2-5, 1988, Denver.
“Open Network Architecture and Deregulation,” Discussant, Mountain Bell Academic Seminar, October 21-23, 1986,
“Deregulating Electric Power Generation,” with Joe Kerkvliet, invited presentation to the New Mexico Public Service Commission, May 14, 1986, Santa Fe.
VIII. OFF-CAMPUS TRAINING COURSES
“Electricity Technology, Regulation, Coat Allocation and Rate Design,” A Course Presented to the Dominion Virginia Power Co.,” with Larry Blank; December 13 – 15, 2010; Richmond, Virginia.
“Embedded and Marginal Cost of Service Studies.” With Larry Blank, fall 2009, for New Mexico Stakeholders in the Upcoming PNM Rate Case.
“Electricity Technology, Regulation, Coat Allocation and Rate Design,” A Course Presented to the Dominion Virginia Power Co.,” with Larry Blank; December 8 – 11, 2008; Richmond, Virginia.
“Electricity Technology, Regulation, Coat Allocation and Rate Design,” A Course Presented to the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission,” with Larry Blank; January 16 – 18, 2008; Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Revenue Requirements, Cost Allocation and Rate Design,” A training course for the Las Cruces Board of Utility Commissioners,” with Tom McGuckin; September 24, 25, 26; Las Cruces, New Mexico.
“Revenue Requirements, Cost Allocation and Rate Design: A Training Course for the Maryland Public Service Commission; with Larry Blank; April 4, 2007; Baltimore, Maryland.
“The Basics of Rate Design: A Course Presented to the Hawaiian Electric Company,” with David Smith, Tom McGuckin and Larry Blank; October 16-19, 2000; Honolulu, Hawaii.