In the News: Recent Developments
 

UPDATE: May 11, 2021 – The North Carolina Utilities Commission issued its decision in the case and its final Financing Order. The Financing Order accepts Saber Partners’ core “best practices” testimony for ratepayers found below in Panel 1. Download the financing order here.

Facts on File:

Ratepayer-Backed Bond / Utility Securitization Testimony and Videos on “Best Practices” to Protect Ratepayers

January 28 & 29, 2021

Note: “Oral Summary Presented at Hearing” videos are 3-5 minutes; cross-examination and “redirect” (lawyer jargon) videos are (unfortunately) much longer.

Panel 1 Topic: A Bond Finance Team with Meaningful Ratepayer Representation and Independent Certifications

Joseph S. Fichera, CEO, Saber Partners, LLC and former managing director, investment banking, Bear Stearns.

Brian A. Maher, Senior Advisor, Saber Partners, LLC and former Assistant Treasurer, Exxon Mobil.

Hyman Schoenblum, Senior Advisor, Saber Partners, LLC and former SVP and Treasurer of Consolidated Edison of New York.

William B. Moore, former CEO and CFO of the utility, Westar Energy (Kansas), and special consultant to Saber Partners for the Duke petition.

Panel 2 Topic: How Using Best Practices Protects Ratepayers from Leaving Money on the Table – Quantifying the Benefits and Avoiding Costs

Paul Sutherland, Senior Advisor to Saber Partners, LLC and former Assistant Treasurer, Florida Power & Light.

Steven Heller, President Analytic Aid and independent securitization modeler and special consultant to Saber Partners for the Duke petition.

Panel 3 Topic: Regulatory Best Practices History from Texas to Florida

Becky Klein, President Klein Energy, Advisory Board member, Saber Partners, LLC, and former Chair, Public Utility Commission of Texas.

NOTE: Barry Abramson, Senior Advisor to Saber Partners, LLC and a long time utilities equity analyst and investment manager also provided testimony on the effects of climate change and the need to establish North Carolina’s Ratepayer-Backed Bond program correctly from the beginning. 

  • Download the Complete Written Testimony: Saber Abramson Testimony and Exhibits
  • Duke chose not to cross examine Mr. Abramson letting his testimony to be stay unchallenged. Sorry, no YouTube video.