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Utah Public Service Commission
| Utah Public Service Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $11,349,600 |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Public Utilities Act of 1917 |
| Leadership: | Ron Allen |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Other Utah Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Attorney General •Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current chairman is Ron Allen. He serves alongside David Clark and Thad LeVar.
Authority
In 1917, the Utah State Legislature passed the Public Utilities Act of 1917 which created the Public Utilities Commission of Utah - the precursor to the Public Service Commission.[1]
Qualifications
Title 54, Chapter 1[2] of the Utah code establishes the qualifications of the office:
| Each commissioner at the time of appointment and qualification shall be a resident citizen of the United States and of the state of Utah and shall be not less than 30 years of age. Except as provided by law, no commissioner may hold any other office either under the government of the United States or of this state or of any municipal corporation within this state. |
- a resident citizen of the United States
- a resident citizen of Utah
- not less than 30 years old
- not holding any other government office
Appointments
Title 54, Chapter 1, Part 1.5 of the Utah code outlines the appointments of the commissioners. Each of the three commissioner is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state senate. The commissioners are appointed to staggered six-year terms, with one commissioner appointed on March 1 of each odd-numbered year. Not more than two members of the commission shall belong to the same political party.[2]
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy on the commission, the governor fills the unexpired term by appointment, and may choose to re-appoint the successor to a full term when the former officeholder's original term expires.[2]
Duties
The commission is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, adequate, and reasonably priced utilities. It investigates and holds hearings in order to hold utility companies accountable and to protect the public from unfair practices.[3]
State budget
The budget for the Public Service Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $11,349,600.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
In 2012, the Utah Public Service Commissioners were each paid an estimated $104,395. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
Contact information
Utah Public Service Commission
Heber M. Wells Building
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Phone: (801) 530-6716
Fax: (801) 530-6796
E-mail: psc.utah.gov
See also
External links
References
- ↑ PSC.Utah.gov, "History of the public service commission," accessed October 28, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lexis.com, "Utah Code Ann. § 54-1-1.5," accessed October 28, 2011
- ↑ Utah Public Service Commission "About the Public Service Commission," Accessed December 28, 2012
- ↑ Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, "2013 Budget Summary – Tables," accessed April 6, 2013
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