How are public comments used in Tariff Commission determinations?

• A. Comments are evaluated for relevance and credibility; they may influence interpretation of evidence and the final conclusion, depending on weight given.
• B. Public comments are ignored in all determinations.
• C. Public comments automatically determine the outcome.
• D. Only official filings, not comments, are considered.

Answer: (A)

Public comments are treated as part of the administrative record and are considered alongside other evidence. They’re evaluated for relevance to the issues and for credibility and reliability. When a comment brings information supported by data or expert analysis, it can be given more weight and help shape how the evidence is interpreted and how the final conclusion is reached. But the outcome isn’t dictated by comments alone; the determination results from a weighed synthesis of all materials—official filings, data, analyses, and staff findings. Comments are not ignored, nor do they automatically decide the result; they simply inform the reasoning and can influence what weight is given to certain points.