Public Service Commission Case files, 1917-

This series documents the formal proceedings of the Utah Public Service Commission as it carried out its legislative mandate to supervise and regulate all public utilities within the state. The case files represent pleadings before the commission in the form of complaints, applications, or petitions which required a formal hearing. Cases not requiring a formal hearing were referred to as informal cases and comprise a separate series. Complaints could be brought by the commission's own motion or by any person or organization claiming a utility to be in violation of any law, rule, or order. Applications may include requests for certificates of convenience and necessity, contract carrier permits, interstate licenses, rate increases, rate reductions, relief from discriminatory charges, establishment of railroad crossings, switch connections and spurs, school bus crossings, and various other actions. The commission's jurisdiction extended over every gas, electric, telephone, telegraph,water, heat, transportation, and warehouse corporation which served the public for compensation. Notable cases include the dismantling of the Emigration Canyon railroad in 1917. These records are also commonly referred to as formal hearings, proceedings, or dockets.