Mainstream Associates
26 Maple Road, P.O. Box 947 , North Hampton, New Hampshire, United States

Mainstream Associates was founded in 1983 as a consulting firm specializing in the acquisition, development, and regulatory compliance of small scale, independent power production facilities.  Starting in 1986, Mainstream turned its attention to the valuation of independent power generating assets including hydropower and cogeneration facilities. Our early appraisals were prepared in compliance with the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery Act of 1987 (FIRREA) primarily to determine the security value of powerplant assets for financing or refinancing purposes. Since then we have prepared over 150 appraisals of electric generating assets in thirteen different states and in Costa Rica.

In recent years, Mainstream Associates appraisal work has increasingly focused on ad valorem tax assessment. As electric industry restructuring goes forward, we expect this aspect of our work to increase. Generating assets that are divested from ownership by electric utilities will undoubtedly change in value as they move from cost of service regulation to market driven pricing. Not only is it important for buyers and sellers to understand these changing valuations, but new powerplant owners need to keep their property tax expenses under control in order to maintain market share in an increasingly competitive environment. Likewise, taxing authorities must stay current on the fair market value of power plants not only to optimize property tax income but also to maintain the viability of resident generating facilities. In short, the functional unbundling of the electric industry will have revolutionary property tax impacts involving the valuations of all aspects of the electric industry - generation, transmission, and distribution alike.  While our traditional core services have been in the appraisal and valuation of hydroelectric stations, Mainstream Associates has experience appraising a variety of electric power assets, including electric utility transmission lines, substations, and distribution systems; nuclear power plants; natural gas fired combustion turbines and cogereration systems; oil burning thermal electric generating facilities; and wood burning power plants.

Electric utility competition has required electric generating stations to replace the comfort of cost of service price regulation with unpredictable, often volatile, market driven pricing. Book value has been replaced by fair market indicators of powerplant value, and profit is driven by the discipline of the market, increasingly making cost cutting the major tool for increasing earnings. In short, electric industry restructuring has had profound implications for the valuation of all kinds of electric power assets.  Now more than ever, utilities and independent power producers alike must examine their assets, determine their value and make strategic decisions about future directions.  One significant expense to focus upon as deregulation unfolds is property taxes. Old property tax assessments, agreed to in the old era of price regulation, may no longer be appropriate. Both taxpayers and taxing authorities alike need to examine taxable assessments to assure fair and adequate taxation. Let our team of licensed appraisers and affiliated engineers, scientists, and planners help you navigate these changing times.

K N O W L E D G E

Mainstream Associates staff has extensive academic training and technical education in the areas of machinery and equipment appraisal, public utility valuation, public utility regulation, and real estate appraisal. Our affiliates bring additional skills in engineering, finance, planning & environment.

E X P E R I E N C E

With past experience in development, ownership, and operation of power generating facilities, Mainstream Associates is one of the very few appraisal firms familiar with the operating subtleties and legal complexities of the electric power business. Since 1984 we have prepared more than 150 asset appraisals for the electric power industry, with an aggregate valuation in the billions of dollars..

Q U A L I T Y

We produce accurate and up to date valuations of electric power assets by using the most current and complete demographic statistics and industrial data bases. Our appraisals follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) of the Appraisal Foundation and the Code of Ethics of the American Society of Appraisers.

Services

Mainstream Associates specializes in the appraisal and valuation of electric power assets, utility and non-utility alike, including transmission, distribution, and generating facilities of all types