Opinion ID: 2284798
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Commercial and Industrial Customers[10]

Text: When two-part rates were first employed, all commercial and industrial heating and cooling customers were treated alike. In this case WGL proposed segregating these customers into three categories according to their levels of usage, and varying customer charges accordingly. Customers consuming less than 1,000 Ccf per year (the store front commercial customer) would pay a $5 monthly customer charge; those consuming 1,000 to 3,000 Ccf per year would pay an $8 monthly charge; and those using in excess of 3,000 Ccf yearly would, under the WGL plan, pay a $25 monthly customer charge. WGL Exh. J, at 22.
The Commission accepted WGL's dichotomy between those commercial and industrial heating and cooling customers who consume more than 3,000 Ccf per year and those who consume less than this amount, but the Commission found no basis for distinguishing between small usage customers (less than 1,000 Ccf yearly) and medium usage customers (1,000 to 3,000 Ccf yearly). A $6.50 monthly customer charge was imposed on all customers who use less than 3,000 Ccf per year. The Commission also rejected WGL's proposal that large commercial heating and cooling customers pay a $25 monthly customer charge. First, the Commission found the previous customer charge of $16.50 for this group effectively comprehended the greater costs accompanying these customers' comparatively greater sizes. Second, the Commission stated that [c]ustomer costs for all customer classes exceed the respective customer charges, but we can find no reason for increasing the charge for only one sub-class, large volume commercial. Id. at 98-99. Rates for non-heating, non-cooling industrial and commercial customers were left unchanged at $7 per month.