Utility Regulatory Intervention
Utah Clean Energy participates in the utility regulatory arena to advocate for the adoption of innovative regulatory policies, rules, and programs that 1) appropriately value the long-term benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy, 2) help reduce the economic risks associated with fuel price volatility; and 3) provide other benefits such as economic development, energy security, and improved environmental quality.
Decisions made in the utility regulatory arena have significant impacts on Utah’s energy future and the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the utility sector. The utility regulatory arena consists of the following government agencies:
- Utah Public Service Commission
- Utah Committee of Consumer Services
- Utah Division of Public Utilities
Utah Clean Energy provides testimony and public comment, and we bring in experts and other key constituents to provide data and comments as needed during utility regulatory proceedings.
- Visit Policies and Issues to learn more about current regulatory matters in which Utah Clean Energy is involved.
- Learn how to Get Involved in the Utility Regulatory Arena.
- Learn about Utah's Net Metering Successes
Utah Public Service Commission
The Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) conducts hearings and makes decisions that affect Utah’s major utility companies, Utah citizens, and businesses -- our energy future is shaped in a significant way by these decisions.
The PSC conducts hearings and makes decisions based on input from industry experts, advocates, utilities, businesses, citizens, and other stakeholders.
Mission Statement: The primary responsibility of the Commission is to ensure safe, reliable, adequate, and reasonably priced utility service. It conducts hearings and investigations of utility company operations in order to determine just and reasonable rates for service. The Commission strives to protect efficient, reliable, reasonably-priced utility service for customers, and to maintain financially healthy utility companies. These goals are attained through the regulatory decisions the Commission makes and through rules it adopts.
Each Commission proceeding involves a utility and a number of other parties, including the Division of Public Utilities and the Committee of Consumer Services. Formal testimony of expert witnesses is taken and cross-examined. A court reporter transcribes the proceeding and produces a transcript. Commission hearings are open to the public. Following the hearing, the Commission, with the assistance of its technical staff, analyzes the case record, deliberates, and renders its decision in the form of an "Order." Any party in a proceeding can appeal a Commission decision to the Utah Supreme Court.
Municipal utility companies and cable companies are NOT REGULATED by the Commission.
Committee of Consumer Services
The Committee of Consumer Services is Utah's utility consumer advocate, representing residential, small commercial and agricultural consumers of natural gas, electric and telephone service before the Utah Public Service Commission.
The Committee was established by law in 1977 by the Utah Legislature and consists of six members appointed by the Governor and a full-time staff of nine which assists the Committee in evaluating utility matters.
- Contact the Committee of Consumer Services
- How can you be heard by the Committee?
- Get Involved In the Utility Regulatory Process
Division of Public Utilities
The Division of Public Utilities makes recommendations to the Utah Public Service Commission for rate-making purposes, applications, hearings and other issues affecting quality of service. The Division also handles and investigates consumer complaints and monitors utility operations to ensure compliance with Public Service Commission rules, regulations and orders. Their mission is to promote the public interest in utility regulation and work to assure that all utility customers have access to safe, reliable service at reasonable prices. For a more comprehensive review of the Division of Public Utilities duties, please see Title 54_05 of the Utah Code.
The Division of Public Utilities helps the Public Service Commission regulate electric and natural gas utilities that provide service in Utah. Customer Service handles inquires and complaints from all of the above mentioned utilities regarding services rendered.
