Return the number of signatures needed for a response to petitions to 50,000 . Why was it raised to 100,000 in January?

The We the People site has received an increase in use since the 2012 election when numerous states requested to secede from the Union. At that time, only 50,000 signatures were required for a response from the White House. Now 100,000 signatures are required. It could be argued that because of the increase in use, more staff is required for the responses, however, it could also be argued (and more believably so because there is not a significant number of petitions on the site) that this is a way to not have to respond to a majority of the petitions. Why was it important before the election to answer questions that 50,000 people wanted answers to, but now there needs to be 100,000 signatures before the petition garners the White House's attention.