blue gradiated background with text in white letter "The soledad group regulatory and financial consulting for public utlities

Regulatory and Financial Consulting for Utilities

Regulated utilities operate in an environment where regulatory outcomes directly shape financial performance. Soledad Group helps clients navigate that environment with clarity and confidence — developing rate strategies, managing complex proceedings, and delivering expert analysis that holds up under the scrutiny of commission review.

Our services span the full arc of regulatory engagement: rate case preparation and filing, regulatory strategy development, financial planning and analysis, rate case management, and expert witness testimony.

Soledad Group works primarily with electric, gas, and water utilities, law firms, and municipalities in California. Our clients — utility owners, CEOs, heads of regulatory affairs, and outside legal counsel — come to us when they need a senior partner who understands the commission process, knows the case law, and can build and execute a strategy from the ground up.

Services

Soledad Group provides full rate case preparation and filing support for Class A water utilities, and complete rate case filing services for Class B, C, and D utilities.

From strategy through commission decision, we develop the revenue requirement, build the analytical case, prepare workpapers and testimony, and manage every stage of the process — so our clients can stay focused on running their utility.

Rate Case Support

We develop regulatory and policy strategy for complex proceedings, including policy filings, cost recovery mechanisms, and creative approaches to financing new projects and acquisitions.

When the path forward isn't obvious, we find one that works for customers, stakeholders, and the commission.

We develop regulatory and policy strategy for complex proceedings — including policy filings, cost recovery mechanisms, and creative financing approaches for new projects and acquisitions.

When the path forward isn't obvious, we find one that works for customers, stakeholders, and the commission.

Regulatory Strategy

Development of cost allocation analysis, rate design modeling, and supporting testimony.

We build models that are transparent, defensible, and designed to hold up under regulatory scrutiny and intervenor challenge.

We can provide cost allocation analysis, rate design modeling, and supporting testimony.

We build models that are transparent, defensible, and designed to hold up under regulatory scrutiny and intervenor challenge.

Cost Allocation & Rate Design

Results of operations model development and implementation, revenue requirement forecasting, financial modeling for rate base, depreciation, and capital investment planning.

We help finance teams produce the analysis that supports both internal decisions and regulatory filings.

Soledad Group provides results of operations model development and implementation, revenue requirement forecasting, and financial modeling across rate base, depreciation, and capital investment planning.

We help finance teams produce analysis that supports both internal decision-making and regulatory filings.

Financial Planning & Analysis

Jeff has testified before the California Public Utilities Commission and commissions in multiple other states including Hawaii, in general rate cases, cost allocation and rate design proceedings, acquisition cases, policy proceedings, and cost of capital cases. Expert witness services are available as a standalone engagement or as part of a broader rate case or regulatory strategy engagement.

Expert Witness Testimony

Jeff has served as an expert witness before the California Public Utilities Commission across a broad range of proceedings — including general rate cases, cost allocation and rate design, acquisitions, policy matters, and cost of capital. He has also provided testimony in proceedings outside California. Expert witness services are available as a standalone engagement or as part of a broader rate case or regulatory strategy assignment.

Jeff Linam, Founder & Principal

Jeff Linam regulatory consulting California Public Utilities Commission

Jeff Linam is the Founder and Principal of Soledad Group, bringing more than 30 years of experience leading regulatory and financial strategy for some of the nation's largest regulated utilities, including American Water and Sempra Energy. His career began in management consulting and public accounting — a foundation that sharpened the analytical rigor and strategic discipline he applies to complex utility challenges today.

At California American Water, Jeff led the finance, regulatory, and rate functions through a period of significant growth and financial turnaround, delivering a $40 million increase in net income over four years. A defining example of his approach was developing the rate strategy for the San Clemente Dam removal — at the time, the largest dam removal in California history. Working in close partnership with the California Coastal Conservancy, he secured external funding to offset project costs and crafted an innovative cost-recovery structure that shielded customers from what would have otherwise been a substantial rate increase.

That ability to navigate competing interests, protect ratepayers, and recover utility costs in high-stakes, multi-stakeholder environments is where Jeff does his most consequential work.

Jeff holds an MBA from UCLA and holds both CPA and CMA certifications. He is based in Southern California.

Let's Talk

Whether you have an active rate case, an upcoming proceeding, or a regulatory challenge that needs a fresh perspective, we'd welcome the conversation.

Schedule a Call