The adoption of technology and digitalization in the electric industry varies and doesn't always correlate with the size of the cooperative or utility. Regardless of the utility's size, implementing technology can enhance efficiency and address challenges such as record accuracy and staffing shortages.

An overly conservative approach in accounting can result in missed opportunities to optimize business management and enhance customer service.

How can this lead to missing opportunities to improve cost recovery, stabilize revenues, and smooth customer rates?

Creating a capital budget involves planning for significant long-term investments in assets or projects. Sounds easy?, but it is a combination of long-term forecasting of system needs, financing (debt and equity), and impact on rates. Here is a framework that is effective.