I. Policy Statement

NRRI will establish and maintain Research Advisory Committees (RACs) for each of the following NRRI divisions: Electric, Gas, Telecommunications and Water. It may also establish and maintain one or more Multi-utility RACs for research that cuts across industry sectors. Each RAC will operate with a level of formality or informality appropriate to the subject and the needs of the committee.

II. Mission

The mission of each Division RAC is to help NRRI’s Division Director meet NRRI standards of professional excellence, objectivity and practical usefulness in the work she or he conducts and produces.

III. Responsibilities

A. Advise NRRI’s Division Directors and Executive Director on research agenda development and specific research projects by contributing ideas and helping the Director evaluate research priorities. The goal is to ensure that the selected research projects promote NRRI’s mission of effective utility regulation, while reflecting client-driven needs for a mix of projects that are short-term and long-term, practical and theoretical.

B. Assist the Division Director in identifying resources and researchers such as professors, students and practitioners, who can contribute to NRRI research efforts.

C. Identify peer reviewers and contribute to peer reviews of NRRI research projects and reports.

IV. Membership and Organization

A. The director for each division will recommend advisory committee members for that section to the NRRI Executive Director. The Executive Director will make final recommendations to the NRRI Board of Directors for appointment. The NRRI Board will make formal appointments to RACs.

B. RAC members will (1) have knowledge and experience in regulatory issues within the industry sector affected, (2) have a good understanding of regulatory theory and practice, (3) have expertise in an appropriate professional discipline, (4) include both practitioners and academics, and (5) include utility commission members and staff.

C. RAC members’ terms will be three-years with the possibility of reappointment. Terms will be staggered to ensure continuity.

V. Reports and Communications

A. Division Directors will provide periodic reports to their RACs concerning activities underway within the section and summarizing RAC activity in the previous quarter.

B. Division Directors will be responsible for determining the most efficient and productive means of employing their RACs, while respecting the time constraints of RAC members and the voluntary nature of RAC membership. RAC business will primarily be conducted by email communications and conference calls.