Service Regulations for Electrical Utilities

• Author: L.H. Harris
• DOI: 10.1177/000271621405300127
• Published date: 01 May 1914
• Date: 01 May 1914
• Subject Matter: Articles

SERVICE REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL UTILITIES
By L. H. HARRIS,
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh.
It is the purpose of this article to present, in condensed form,
some of the present day conditions in the field occupied by the elec-
trical utilities, and to outline briefly what principles should govern
the formation of the rules of a public service commission pertaining
to such utilities.
Underlying all rules must be the fundamental
principle of fair play-a just return to the public in the form of safe
and adequate service on the one hand, and a fair compensation to the
utility for the service demanded, on the other.
Many difficulties are to be met with in attempting the solution
of this problem. The standards of service must be higher under
some conditions than others.
Care must be exercised that the
utilities are not compelled to supply, and the communities to pay for,
a quality of service not commensurate with their needs. The develop-
ment of small and outlying districts should not be retarded by pro-
hibitive rates. Rules must be so worded that they can be observed
and yet not appear to give official sanction to a lowering of the
standards of service. It is very difficult in many cases to draw the
line between the end sought and the means to that end. The rules
should unquestionably set the standards and wherever possible should
define satisfactory service, but under no avoidable circumstances
should they prescribe methods of management unless absolutely
essential to secure the desired results. Every possible freedom
should be given to the management not positively inimical to the
carrying out of the service requirements.
Full use should be made of the state association where such an
organization exists, and of the National Electrical Light Association.
Credit should be given to the work of these bodies and wherever pos-
sible the standards of service, the methods of procedure, and all
requirements should be in accord with those which have received the
approval of these associations. The influence which such organiza-
tions can and do bring to bear on men engaged in the same line of
work are fully as effective as any pressure from without, and should
be encouraged to the fullest extent.
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Too much importance cannot be attached to the value of the
good will and cooperation of the utilities themselves. Much can be
done to disarm the rather natural suspicion and gain the confidence
of the men representing the utilities by the exercise of tact and by
giving due consideration to the opinions of these men who have
spent years in the work. Once they are convinced that a commission
is disposed to be perfectly fair; that it is as ready to protect a utility
from an unreasonable public as to protect a public from an unreason-
able utility, one of the greatest barriers to satisfactory regulation is
removed. The existence of a commission of the proper character
should give stability to the industry and peace of mind to the con-
scientious management. Few men in responsible positions prefer
to give poor service. Competition...