Specifications include, but are not limited to: The New Hampshire Department of Energy (Department) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide utility technical consulting services from a qualified cost of capital consultant. The Department is seeking qualified consultant(s) able to provide cost of capital consulting services in Docket No. DG 23-067 Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp. d/b/a Liberty Utilities (Liberty or the Company), for an anticipated petition requesting an increase in its annual revenues of approximately $29 million. The Department expects, but cannot guarantee, that the rate proceeding and associated need for expertise will conclude within 12-18 months after the petition is filed. The consultant will be hired and supervised by the Department to perform the consulting work, and will work at the direction of, and in consultation with the Department. The consultant(s) will determine return on equity and overall rate of return based on multiple factors, including industry financial information relating to revenues, risk, growth, profitability, equity returns, capital structure, cost of equity and weighted average cost of capital, and expert witness testimony. Among other things, the engagement will include: • Review of the Company’s proposed rate of return, cost of capital and capital structure; • Preparation of interrogatories and participation in other discovery activities; • Participation in technical sessions and settlement discussions; • Preparation and submission of direct and, if needed, rebuttal testimony, which will include a recommended cost of capital and return on equity; • Preparation of responses to interrogatories; and • Attendance at hearings for live testimony and cross-examination.
