State Ex Rel. North Carolina Utilities Commission v. Transylvania Utility Co.

VAUGHN, Judge.

The thrust of appellant’s argument is that the Commission did not follow the statutory rate making formula. The specific attack on the order is the reduction of the “availability” charge.

The concept of “availability” charges of water and sewer companies is of relatively recent origin. It appears to have arisen in instances where tracts of land were developed for recreational homes. Most all of the lots would be sold in a relatively short time, but few of the purchasers would immediately build on their lots. The practice has been for the developer and the purchasers of the lots,…