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Maryland Public Service Commission
| Maryland Public Service Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Total Seats: | 5 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 5 years |
| Authority: | Maryland Annotated Code, § 2-101 |
| Leadership: | Douglas R. M. Nazarian |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Other Maryland Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Treasurer • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Secretary • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Secretary of Labor • Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholders
The current chairman is Douglas R. M. Nazarian. He was appointed to the position in 2008. Commissioners include:
In December 2012, Nazarian was appointed to Maryland's Court of Special Appeals by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), with Hughes being named the new chairman. The appointments have to be confirmed by the Maryland State Senate before they assume their new roles. [2]
Authority
The Maryland Public Service Commission was established as an independent unit in the Executive Branch of state government in Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1910. It is currently in § 2-101 of the Maryland Annotated Code.[3]
Qualifications
The following qualifications are required in order to serve on the MPSC:
- Be a registered voter of the state
- Devote full time to the duties of the office
Additionally, per state law the commission must be broadly representative in geographic and demographic diversity and composed of individuals with diverse training and experience.[4]
Appointments
The five members of the Public Service Commission are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor also names the chair of the commission.
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy, a commissioner is appointed to serve the rest of the term and until a successor qualifies. The governor can remove a Commissioner for incompetence or misconduct.[4]
Duties
The mission statement of the Maryland Public Service Commission is to ensure safe, reliable, and economic public utility and transportation service to the citizens of Maryland.[5]
The following is a list of specific duties:
- Ensure that rates, terms, and conditions established for public service companies are just, reasonable, and transparent.
- Adopt and enforce regulations that are in the public interest and ensure that public service companies comply with established regulations.
- Create standards and policies that protect the safety of the public.
- Explore innovation that will encourage the efficient delivery of public utility services.
- Consider the economic and environmental impacts of all matters before the Commission.
- Encourage the conservation of natural resources and environmental preservation.
- Ensure effective methods of communicating the Commission’s areas of regulation and jurisdiction, decisions, and their impact on the public.
- Develop and promote activities that encourage public trust and confidence.
- Serve the public interest through a commitment to professionalism, diversity, mutual respect, and ethical conduct.
Divisions
The MSPS is composed of the following divisions:[1]
- Office of External Relations
- Public Utility Law Judge Division
- Office of Executive Director
- Accounting Investigations Division
- Electricity Division
- Energy Analysis and Planning Division
- Engineering Division
- Staff Attorney Division
- Telecommunications, Gas and Water Division
- Transportation [Common Carrier Investigations] Division
- Office of Executive Secretary
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2012
In 2012, the public service commissioners were paid an estimated $150,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the Maryland Public Service Commissioners were paid an estimated $150,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
Contact information
William Donald Schaefer Tower
6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 767-8000
MD Toll Free: 1-800-492-0474
TTY: 1-800-201-7165
See also
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Maryland State Archives, "Public Service Commission - Origin and Functions," accessed September 24, 2011
- ↑ WBAL, "PSC Chairman Gets Judicial Post," December 28, 2012
- ↑ LexisNexis, "Md. PUBLIC UTILITIES Code Ann. § 2-101 (2012)," accessed February 7, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 LexisNexis, "Md. PUBLIC UTILITIES Code Ann. § 2-102 (2012)," accessed February 7, 2013
- ↑ Maryland Public Service Commission, About Us
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved June 25, 2011
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