Public utility pricing and rate setting

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Chapter 10 in Public Utilities, Second Edition, 2016, pp 198-220 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter focuses of the rate-setting function in public utilities. The process of setting rates (prices for services) in public utilities involves four steps: (1) determining operating costs, (2) distributing costs among different customer classes, (3) considering relevant load and use factors, and (4) designing the pricing structures that reflect the influences of the first three considerations. Rate setting in regulated utilities is further complicated by the legislative and social requirement that the final rates be “just and reasonable” (fair and equitable). Determining costs involves analysis of four categories of operations: customer service, operations, demand, and overhead. Typically, prices are lowest for large users, such as factories or commercial centers, and highest for residential customers. However, prices will tend to vary more during any period for industrial and commercial users than they will for residential customers.

Keywords: Economics and Finance; Politics and Public Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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