Public Service Commission

The commissioners preside as a quasi-judicial body in formal hearings concerning utility regulation matters such as applications for rate and service changes. Every public utility is subject to the jurisdiction of the commission. A support staff of technical, legal, and clerical employees assists the commissioners in analyzing the record in every case that is presented to the commission, making recommendations for commission decisions, preparing formal orders and managing the daily operation of the commission's office. The primary responsibility of the commission is to ensure safe, reliable and adequate utility service. It conducts hearings and investigations of utility company operations in order to determine just and reasonable rates for service. The commission's goals for regulation are efficient, reliably-priced utility service for customers, and maintenance of financially healthy utility companies. These goals are generally attained through the regulatory decisions the commission makes in each formal case. (From "Capitol Connections" newsletter, volume 2, issue 3, July 1994, page 4.)

The commission is headed by three full-time commissioners appointed to six-year staggered terms by the governor, with the consent of the Utah State Senate. One member is designated by the governor as chairman.