from $91.63 to $95.74, or by 4.49%, rather than the originally proposed increase of $8.25, from $91.63 to $99.88 per month, or 9%. R.D. at 7, Joint Petition at 6-7. The Joint Petitioners maintained that terms and conditions of the Partial Settlement reflect a carefully balanced compromise of the interests of all the Joint Petitioners in this proceeding. The Joint Petitioners unanimously agreed that the Partial Settlement, which resolves all material issues related to Columbia’s 2018 Base Rate Filing is in the public interest. The Joint Petitioners requested that the Commission approve Columbia’s 2018 Base Rate Filing as modified by the Partial Settlement, including those tariff changes contained in Supplement No. 267 which is attached as Appendix of the Joint Petition. R.D. at 14, Joint Petition at 7. “C” A. Revenue Requirement The Partial Settlement provides for rates designed to produce an increase in operating revenues of $26 million over Columbia’s base rates, based upon the pro level of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Joint Petition forma at ¶ 26. If approved, the $26 million increase in tariff rates will become effective on December 16, 2018, which is the effective date of rates under the Commission’s April 5, 2018 suspension order. Joint Petition at ¶ 38. The agreed upon rate increase is approximately 55% of Columbia’s original request of $46.9 million. Columbia Exhibit 102, Sch. 3, p. 3. The Joint Petitioners agree that the $26 million revenue increase, although $20.9 million less than that originally requested by the Company, is a just and reasonable increase that will permit the Company to earn a reasonable rate of return while protecting the interests of its customers through the provision of safe, reliable and affordable utility service. R.D. at 42. The ALJ emphasized that the Joint Petitioners acknowledge that this “Black Box” settlement has been attained through compromise of the Joint Petitioners’ litigation
from $91.63 to $95.74, or by 4.49%, rather than the originally proposed increase of $8.25, from $91.63 to $99.88 per month, or 9%. R.D. at 7, Joint Petition at 6-7. The Joint Petitioners maintained that terms and conditions of the Partial Settlement reflect a carefully balanced compromise of the interests of all the Joint Petitioners in this proceeding. The Joint Petitioners unanimously agreed that the Partial Settlement, which resolves all material issues related to Columbia’s 2018 Base Rate Filing is in the public interest. The Joint Petitioners requested that the Commission approve Columbia’s 2018 Base Rate Filing as modified by the Partial Settlement, including those tariff changes contained in Supplement No. 267 which is attached as Appendix “C” of the Joint Petition. R.D. at 14, Joint Petition at 7. A. Revenue Requirement The Partial Settlement provides for rates designed to produce an increase in operating revenues of $26 million over Columbia’s base rates, based upon the pro forma level of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Joint Petition at ¶ 26. If approved, the $26 million increase in tariff rates will become effective on December 16, 2018, which is the effective date of rates under the Commission’s April 5, 2018 suspension order. Joint Petition at ¶ 38. The agreed upon rate increase is approximately 55% of Columbia’s original request of $46.9 million. Columbia Exhibit 102, Sch. 3, p. 3. The Joint Petitioners agree that the $26 million revenue increase, although $20.9 million less than that originally requested by the Company, is a just and reasonable increase that will permit the Company to earn a reasonable rate of return while protecting the interests of its customers through the provision of safe, reliable and affordable utility service. R.D. at 42. The ALJ emphasized that the Joint Petitioners acknowledge that this “Black Box” settlement has been attained through compromise of the Joint Petitioners’ litigation
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