Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-25
STUDY
GAS RATE CHANGE
Public Utilities Commission
Considers Adoption of
"Three-Part Schedule"

Substitution of the so-called three
part schedule" for the present step
rate plan of fixing gas rates will be con-
sidered by the Public Utilities Commits
sion in connection with the revision of
existing rates which is expected to fol-
! low the forthcoming new valuation Of
the properties of the Washington g.
Georgetown Gas Light Cos, 1t was an
nounccd today by Earl " Fisher. ex-
ecutive secretary of the commission.
Complaints have been received by
the commission. Mr., Fisher said. that
the present rate schedule is old-fash-
Toned, unfair and economically I'M
sound. and that he already has started
a study Of the "three-part schedule"
which is now in effect in a number of
cities. particularly those in the South,
The three part schedule" he ex-
planned. Is recognized as more scien-
tific and a more equitable PLAN as the
consumer pays for the amount OF gas
actually consumed. Under the step
rates now in effect consumers pay COM
paratively larger bills for lower gas
consumption IN some cases.
The existing schedule OF rates Is
graduated so that consumers of less
than 5000 cubic feet pay =, per 1000
cubic feet. consumers Of 200.C< or less
than 100000 cubic feet pay 50 cents
per 600 consumers OF 100000 or less
than 300, 900 cubic feet pay 80 cents per
| 900 and consumers of 800, 900 or more
cubic feet pay IS cents per 1000.
Discrepancies illustrated.
AS a result. 1t was pointed out, a con-
sumner who uses 499999 cubic feet in
any one month would pay IS cents per
/ 900. or S475, whereas il he had used
lust 1000 cubic feet more he would pay
the 90-cent rate and his bill would be
$3.50. or SIS less.
One OF the inequities OF the present
rate form. cited to the commission by
large consumer. covers the period be-
tween November 81 and December 81.
when he used 787.800 cubic feet and
was billed at the 90-cent rate. making
1894 OF. Had this consumer opened the
gas cocks and permitted 1920 cubic
feet OF gas to waste up the stack, the
consumption would have been 300, 900
cubic feet and his bill would have been
S637 SO. or $26.42 less than the bill he
received.
The three part schedule" Mr. Fisher
said, is similar TO the form now used In
fixing electric current rates. Every
consumer would be required to pay a
service charge. regardless Of the guam
tity used or whether gas is taken or not ::
a demand charge and charge for sup
plying the gas which would be the cost
Of the gas plus the cost OF maintaining
the system.
Proposed Demand Charge.
Gas consumers now pay no service
charge. Electric consumers, however.
pay minimum charge OF rs cents a
month The demand charge in the
electricity rates constitutes the wattage
OF the total number OF lights and cleo
tIical appliances In house multiplied
by 100 hours usage. In the gas sched-
ule the demand charge would be the
amount OF gas required In home or
business establishment should every
appliance be In operation simultaneous
~. multiplied by the amount consumed.
The number OF consumers who get
the benefit OF the present 85-cent gas
rate is very small, Mr.. Fisher explained.
An examination Of the reports Of the
gas companies In the Office OF the COM
mission, he said. showed that only three
large consumers reached the 800 900
cubic feet consumption rate In period
OF SIX months.
The commission Is now completing
its revaluat!on OF the properties OF the
gas companies started last July. and the
question OF revising the existing rates
and the adoption OF new schedule
form will be considered after the val
uation hearings. which are expected 10
start In April.
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