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(1) Organization of the Department of Public Service Regulation.
(a) History: The Department of Public Service Regulation was created in 1971 pursuant to 2-15-2601, MCA. The department head is the Public Service Commission.
(b) The Public Service Commission: The Public Service Commission was created in 1913 and was originally the Montana Railroad Commission. The Public Service Commission consists of five members elected by the people at general election. The Commission is responsible for administration of the department and its divisions. The Public Service Commission supervises and regulates aspects of the operations of public utilities, common carriers, railroads, and other regulated industries listed in Title 69 of the Montana Code Annotated.
(c) Divisions. The department consists of the following three divisions:
(i) Legal and Consumer Assistance Division;
(ii) Centralized Services Division; and
(iii) Regulatory Division.
(2) Functions of Department Divisions. Functions of the Department of Public Service Regulation:
(a) Legal and Consumer Assistance Division. The Legal and Consumer Assistance Division provides legal counsel to the department and the Commission in all matters requiring legal representation, interpretation, or opinion. Its activities include representing the department and Commission in court; issuing legal opinions; advising the department and Commission on interpretations of law on matters within the scope of the department's jurisdiction and responsibility; drafting orders; drafting, revising, and managing administrative rules; conducting legal research; and acting as hearing officers for the department. The division also provides assistance to consumers who have questions and complaints regarding regulated utility service.
(b) Centralized Services Division. The Centralized Services Division performs general fiscal and administrative support functions for the department and the Commission. Its activities include purchasing, accounting, budgeting, payroll, personnel, statistics, reports, revenue collecting, data processing, computer support and management, records management, support services, front desk management, library management, and providing a court reporter for Commission hearings.
(c) Regulatory Division. The Regulatory Division conducts financial, economic, technical, and public policy analyses of the operations of regulated public utilities and motor carriers, and advises the Commission regarding those matters. Its activities include implementing Commission orders; tariff administration; participating in regional electricity transmission forums; monitoring and enforcement of Commission rules, orders, and other directives; document drafting; case management; motor carrier enforcement and rail car safety inspections; and pipeline safety inspections and enforcement.
(3) Information or Submissions. Information about the department and the Commission can be found at the following web site: http://psc.mt.gov/. General inquiries regarding the department may be addressed to the Commission chairman. Specific inquiries regarding the functions of a division may be addressed to the administrator of that division. Any utility or transportation complaints should be directed to the department's customer service representative. Additionally, complaints may be lodged by using the "File a Complaint" function on the Commission's web site.
(4) Personnel Roster.
Commissioner (District 1)
Commissioner (District 2)
Commissioner (District 3)
Commissioner (District 4)
Commissioner (District 5)
Legal Services Division
Centralized Services Division
Regulatory Division
The address of each commissioner and the administrator of each division is as follows: Public Service Commission, 1701 Prospect Ave., P.O. Box 202601, Helena, MT., 59620-2601
(5) Chart of Agency Organization and Function. A chart of the Department of Public Service Regulation indicating the organization of the agency and the functions of each division is attached and incorporated in this rule.