Retail rate trends in the US: Fall 2026 update
Among the study’s primary findings were that retail rates had remained relatively stable in most locations, that factors other than data centers had put upward...
CRA’s Energy Practice helps utilities and other energy stakeholders identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, optimize capital investments, and manage the impact of rising energy costs on customers. Our work addresses the full range of utility cost drivers, including generation and purchased power, transmission and distribution infrastructure, capital programs, operating expenses, and rate structures. We help clients evaluate alternative investment and operating strategies, improve procurement and project delivery, and develop approaches that balance affordability with reliability, resilience, and growing energy demands.
Our approach combines economics, engineering, strategy, and regulatory expertise to address both the underlying costs of providing utility service and how those costs are recovered from customers. We benchmark utility performance, identify operational and capital efficiencies, evaluate resource and infrastructure investment alternatives, and develop rate designs and regulatory strategies that support affordability. We also help clients assess the implications of large-load growth, electrification, and infrastructure modernization, including strategies to protect existing customers from cost shifting. Our work supports utility management decisions, regulatory proceedings, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
Our services include:
- Affordability assessments and bill impact analysis
- Utility cost and performance benchmarking
- Capital investment and infrastructure optimization
- Operating efficiency and cost transformation
- Procurement and construction cost management
- Resource planning and power supply optimization
- Rate design and cost allocation
- Large-load growth and customer cost protections
- Customer affordability and policy analysis
Please contact energypractice@crai.com for more information.
Meet our team
Recent events
Impacts of Offshore Wind on Reliability and Affordability in ISO-NE and NYISO Webinar
Using integrated production cost and loss of load modeling, the analysis evaluates how offshore wind performs during periods of system stress, interacts with...
Resource Adequacy Benefits of Offshore Wind Webinar
CRA hosted a discussion where Dr. Stover presented his findings on the reliability benefits of offshore wind. The webinar explored how offshore wind performed...