Public utilities commission

Regulatory body for public utilities in the United States and Canada

A public utilities commission is a quasi-governmental body that provides oversight and/or regulation of public utilities in a particular area (locality, municipality, or subnational division), especially in the United States and Canada.

The utilities in question may be owned by the consumers that it serves, a mutual utility like a public utility district, a state-owned utility, or it may be a stockholder-owned utility either publicly traded on a stock exchange or closely held among just a few investors. These utilities often operate as legal monopolies, which means that they do not compete in a marketplace but are instead regulated by commissions to ensure fair pricing.

## Canada

[edit]

In Canada, a public utilities commission (PUC) is a public utility regulator, typically a semi-independent quasi-judicial tribunal, owned and operated within a municipal or local government system under the oversight of one or more elected commissioners.[1] Its role is analogous to a municipal utility district or public utility district in the US.

Below are the PUCs in Canada:

* Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (Newfoundland and Labrador)[2]
* British Columbia Utilities Commission[3]
* Manitoba Public Utilities Board[4]
* New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board[5]
* Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board[6]
* Ontario Energy Board[7]
* PEI Regulatory and Appeals Commission[8]

Former commissions in Ontario include:

* Berlin Public Utilities Commission (1906–1916) in Berlin, Ontario
* Brantford Public Utilities Commission (–2001) in Brantford, Ontario
* Galt Public Utilities Commission (1962–1973) in Galt, Ontario
* Kitchener Public Utilities Commission (1916–1973)

## United States

[edit]

Appointed by governor

Appointed by legislature

Election by single-winner district

Election at-large for all members

Election at-large from residency districts; suspended as of 19 August 2022

In the United States, a public utilities commission (PUC), which may also be named a public service commission (PSC), corporation commission, or similar, is a governing body that regulates the rates and services of a public utility, such as an electric utility. In some cases, government bodies with the title "public service commission" may be civil service oversight bodies, rather than utilities regulators.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners[9] is the national association representing the interests of the public utilities commissions in all 50 states. The Interstate Commerce Commission and Federal Communications Commission perform similar functions in their respective fields in the United States.

The first state utility regulator was the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, founded in 1907 under Governor Robert M. La Follette to set minimum standards and regulate rates of monopoly utilities.[10]

### PUCs in the US by state

[edit]

Jurisdiction  | Organization  | Members  | Selection of commissioners

|
|
|

Mississippi | Mississippi Public Service Commission[11] | 3  | Elected by district
Montana | Montana Public Service Commission[12] | 5  | Elected by district
Nebraska | Nebraska Public Service Commission[13] | 5  | Elected by district
Alabama | Alabama Public Service Commission[14] | 3  | Elected at-large
Arizona | Arizona Corporation Commission[15] | 5  | Elected at-large
New Mexico | New Mexico Public Regulation Commission[16] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Louisiana | Louisiana Public Service Commission[17] | 5  | Elected by district
North Dakota | North Dakota Public Service Commission[18] | 3  | Elected at-large
Oklahoma | Oklahoma Corporation Commission[19] | 3  | Elected at-large
South Dakota | South Dakota Public Utilities Commission[20] | 3  | Elected at-large
Alaska | Regulatory Commission of Alaska[21] |  | Appointed by the governor
Arkansas | Arkansas Public Service Commission[22] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
California | California Public Utilities Commission[23] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
South Carolina | South Carolina Public Service Commission[24] | 7  | Legislative appointment
Colorado | Colorado Public Utilities Commission[25] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Connecticut | Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority[26] |  | Appointed by the governor
Delaware | Delaware Public Service Commission[27] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
DC | District of Columbia Public Service Commission[28] | 3  | Appointed by the mayor
Florida | Florida Public Service Commission[29] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Georgia (U.S. state) | Georgia Public Service Commission[30] | 5  | Elected at-large from residency districts
Hawaii | Hawaii Public Utilities Commission[31] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Idaho | Idaho Public Utilities Commission[32] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Illinois | Illinois Commerce Commission[33] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Indiana | Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission[34] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Iowa | Iowa Utilities Board[35] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Kansas | Kansas Corporation Commission[36] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Kentucky | Kentucky Public Service Commission[37] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Maine | Maine Public Utilities Commission[38] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Maryland | Maryland Public Service Commission[39] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Massachusetts | Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities[40] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Massachusetts | Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable[41] |  | Appointed by the governor
Michigan | Michigan Public Service Commission[42] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Minnesota | Minnesota Public Utilities Commission[43] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Missouri | Missouri Public Service Commission[44] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Nevada | Nevada Public Utilities Commission[45] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
New Hampshire | New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission[46] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
New Jersey | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities[47] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
New York | New York Public Service Commission[48] | 7  | Appointed by the governor
North Carolina | North Carolina Utilities Commission[49] | 7  | Appointed by the governor
Ohio | Public Utilities Commission of Ohio[50] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Oregon | Oregon Public Utility Commission[51] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission[52] |  | Appointed by the governor
Rhode Island | Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission[53] |  | Appointed by the governor
Tennessee | Tennessee Public Service Commission (1897–1996)

Tennessee Regulatory Authority (since 1996)

| 3  | Appointed by the governor
Texas | Railroad Commission of Texas[54] | 3  | Elected at-large
Texas | Texas Public Utility Commission[55] | 5  | Appointed by the governor
Utah | Utah Public Service Commission[56] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Vermont | Vermont Department of Public Service[57] |  | Appointed by the governor
Vermont | Vermont Public Utility Commission[58] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Virginia | Virginia State Corporation Commission[59] | 3  | Legislative appointment
Virgin Islands | Virgin Islands Public Services Commission[60] | 5  | Appointed by the governor, with two additional ex-officio members appointed by the senate president
Washington | Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission[61] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
West Virginia | West Virginia Public Service Commission[62] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Wisconsin | Public Service Commission of Wisconsin[63] | 3  | Appointed by the governor
Wyoming | Wyoming Public Service Commission[64] | 3  | Appointed by the governor

### Local PUCs

[edit]

Jurisdiction  | Organization  | Members  | Selection of commissioners

|
|
|

San Francisco | San Francisco Public Utilities Commission[65] | 3  | Nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the SF Board of Supervisors

## Other countries

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (April 2023)

|

Americas

* Bahamas: Bahamas Public Utilities Commission[66]
* Belize: Belize Public Utilities Commission[67]
* Caribbean: Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR)[68]
* Chile: Superintendencia de Servicios Sanitarios de Chile[69]
* Costa Rica: Costa Rica Public Utilities Commission[70]
* Dominican Republic: c Utilities Commission

Others

* France: Commission de Régulation de l'Energie[71]
* Ghana: Public Utility Regulation Council of Ghana (PURC)[72]
* Sri Lanka: Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka[73]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Alleckna, Matthias (2020-02-10). "A Guide to All Provincial Utility Commissions in Canada". EnergyRates.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
2. ^ "Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities". www.pub.nf.ca. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
3. ^ "Welcome to the British Columbia Utilties Commission | British Columbia Utilities Commission - BCUC". www.bcuc.com. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
4. ^ "Province of Manitoba | v1 - PUB". www.pubmanitoba.ca. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
5. ^ "New Brunswick Energy & Utilities Board - Home". nbeub.ca. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
6. ^ "Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board | Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board". nsuarb.novascotia.ca. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
7. ^ "Home | Ontario Energy Board". www.oeb.ca. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
8. ^ Toolkit, Web Experience (Jan 11, 2018). "Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission". www.princeedwardisland.ca. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
9. ^ "Home". NARUC.
10. ^ "Utility monopolies still reign in the South". Southern Environmental Law Center. January 29, 2024.
11. ^ "Home | MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION". www.psc.ms.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
12. ^ "Montana Public Service Commission". Archived from the original on 1996-12-22. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
13. ^ "Nebraska Public Service Commission". psc.nebraska.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
14. ^ "APSC – New Alabama PSC Website". psc.alabama.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
15. ^ "Arizona Corporation Commission". cc.state.az.us. 2010-03-22. Archived from the original on 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
16. ^ "Home". www.nm-prc.org. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
17. ^ "LPSC - Home". www.lpsc.louisiana.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
18. ^ "Home: Public Service Commission, North Dakota". psc.nd.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
19. ^ "Oklahoma Corporation Commission Home Page". Archived from the original on 2007-12-26. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
20. ^ "South Dakota Public Utilities Commission". puc.sd.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
21. ^ "About the Regulatory Commission of Alaska". rca.alaska.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
22. ^ "Arkansas Public Service Commission - Homepage". state.ar.us.
23. ^ "California Public Utilities Commission". cpuc.ca.gov.
24. ^ "Welcome to Public Service Commission of South Carolina". psc.state.sc.us. Archived from the original on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
25. ^ "Colorado Public Utilities Commission Home Page". Archived from the original on 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
26. ^ "Public Utilities Regulatory Authority". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website.
27. ^ Delaware, The State of. "Delaware.gov - Official Website of the State of Delaware". delaware.gov - Official Website of the State of Delaware.
28. ^ "DCPSC - Home". dcpsc.org.
29. ^ "Welcome to the PSC Web Site - Florida Public Service Commission". psc.state.fl.us.
30. ^ "Home | Georgia Public Commission". psc.ga.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
31. ^ "Public Utilities Commission". puc.hawaii.gov.
32. ^ "IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HOMEPAGE". 2010-02-25. Archived from the original on 2010-02-25.
33. ^ "Illinois Commerce Commission". icc.illinois.gov.
34. ^ "Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission". 2006-07-30. Archived from the original on 2006-07-30.
35. ^ "Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) | Welcome". 2008-09-15. Archived from the original on 2008-09-15.
36. ^ "Kansas Corporation Commission". kcc.ks.gov.
37. ^ "KY PSC Home". psc.ky.gov.
38. ^ "Maine Public Utilities Commission Homepage | MPUC". maine.gov.
39. ^ @ColumbiaGasMD. "PSC 01-01-14 - Maryland Public Service Commission". Psc.state.md.us. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
40. ^ "Department of Public Utilities | Mass.gov". mass.gov.
41. ^ "Department of Telecommunications and Cable | Mass.gov". mass.gov.
42. ^ "MPSC". michigan.gov.
43. ^ "ShieldSquare Captcha". mn.gov.
44. ^ "Missouri Public Service Commission Redirect". 2002-06-04. Archived from the original on 2002-06-04.
45. ^ "State of Nevada -". 2007-06-12. Archived from the original on 2007-06-12.
46. ^ "New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission". puc.nh.gov.
47. ^ "NJ Board of Public Utilities". nj.gov.
48. ^ "NYS Department of Public Service". dps.ny.gov.
49. ^ "NCUC Home Page". 2010-04-16. Archived from the original on 2010-04-16.
50. ^ "Public Utilities Commission of Ohio". www.puco.ohio.gov. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
51. ^ "Current Issues". Archived from the original on 2005-10-13.
52. ^ "Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission | Regulating Utility Services". PA PUC.
53. ^ "RIPUC". ripuc.ri.gov.
54. ^ "The Railroad Commission of Texas". www.rrc.texas.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
55. ^ "Public Utility Commission of Texas". Puc.state.tx.us. 2020-03-16. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
56. ^ "Utah Public Service Commission -". 2010-02-19. Archived from the original on 2010-02-19.
57. ^ "Department of Public Service". publicservice.vermont.gov.
58. ^ "Home | Public Utility Commission". puc.vermont.gov.
59. ^ "Virginia State Corporation Commission". Archived from the original on 2004-12-09. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
60. ^ "United States Virgin Islands Public Services Commission". Archived from the original on 2025-01-15.
61. ^ "Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Home Page". Archived from the original on 2010-04-01.
62. ^ "Public Service Commission of West Virginia". psc.state.wv.us.
63. ^ "PSC Homepage". psc.wi.gov.
64. ^ "WY Public Service Commission". psc.wyo.gov.
65. ^ "San Francisco Water Power Sewer | SFPUC". sfpuc.org. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
66. ^ "The Public Utilities Commission of The Bahamas Home Page". Archived from the original on 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2005-10-15.
67. ^ "Belize Public Utilities Commission - Belize Public Utilities Commission". www.puc.bz. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
68. ^ "Home". Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
69. ^ "Pagina de Ingreso a la SISS". Archived from the original on 1998-12-05. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
70. ^ "Unknown".[permanent dead link]
71. ^ "Page d'accueil". www.cre.fr. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
72. ^ "PURC". www.purc.com.gh. Retrieved Sep 15, 2022.
73. ^ "Public Interest Program Unit (PIPU)". Archived from the original on 2003-10-12. Retrieved 2025-04-07.

## External links

[edit]

* Public Service Commissioner (state executive office) \- List of current commissioners from Ballotpedia
* List of regulatory commissions  by state compiled by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

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