4.1 Rules

A key part of your duties as a public utility commissioner is to promulgate or amend administrative rules that apply to the entities or industries regulated by the commission. These administrative rules have the same force and effect of the statutory authority from which they are derived. The requirements for promulgating or amending commission rules vary from state to state.

4.2 Conducting Proceedings

A Public Utility Commission or Public Service Commission holds proceedings to listen to public comment, to consider rules or policy, to adjudicate cases such as those in rate case proceedings and other types of litigated cases that come to the Commission for decision. The role of the Commissioner, especially the Chair, varies by Commission. For Commissioners who are not attorneys, this can be intimidating, especially in large contested rate cases. This section is to give a very general overview of a few different types of proceedings that you may encounter as a new Commissioner.