Electric rates: where we have been, where we are going

Journal Article · Thu May 12 00:00:00 EDT 1977 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7213572

Ranniger, J H

Inflation and raw energy shortages have prompted utility rate structures to change, a process in which the utilities are urged to assume leadership rather than wait for new structures to be imposed. It is important to understand historical trends and public attitudes toward utility rates before setting future directions toward meeting customer, demand, and commodity costs. Past rate designs led to the present concepts that rates should be cost-tracking, although some advocate rates that are disincentives to consumption. Public demands for economic relief have led to requests for ''life line rates'', a form of income redistribution, peak-load pricing, marginal costing, time-of-day pricing, and other strategies. The author reviews current proposals in the context of their social and economic benefits. Future rate designs can be expected to be more sophisticated, more socially oriented, and more costly. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Public Service Co. of Colorado, Denver
• OSTI ID: 7213572
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Vol. 99:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ELECTRIC POWER
CHARGES
DEMAND FACTORS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMIC POLICY
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INCOME
MARKET
PEAK-LOAD PRICING
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULATIONS
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
POWER
296000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology