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Wyoming Public Service Commission
| Wyoming Public Service Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $132,351 |
| 2024-2026 FY Budget: | $18,388,155 |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Wyoming Code, Title 37, Chapter 2, Article 1 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
| Chris Petrie, Mike Robinson, Mary Throne | |
| Other Wyoming Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditors: Auditor • Director • Superintendent of Education • Director of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Wyoming Public Service Commission is a three-person executive board in the Wyoming state government. The commission is responsible for regulating the state's public utilities.[1] Commissioners are appointed by the Governor of Wyoming, by and with the advice and consent of the Wyoming State Senate, to staggered, six-year terms. No more than two members can be members of the same political party. The commissioners designate a chair and deputy chair every two years.[2]
Current officeholder
The current officeholders are:
- Chris Petrie (nonpartisan)
- Mike Robinson (nonpartisan)
- Mary Throne (nonpartisan)
Authority
The public service commission's statutory authority is established by Title 37, Chapter 2, Article 1 of the Wyoming Code.[3]
§ 37-2-101:
| (a) There is created a commission separate from the state board of equalization to which it has been joined which is known as the “public service commission of Wyoming”. The commission shall consist of three (3) members appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than two (2) members of the commission shall at any time be members of the same political party. Each member of the commission shall receive an annual salary as provided by law, to be paid in equal monthly installments in the same manner that other state salaries are paid. |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office.
Appointments
All three public service commissioners are appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to staggered, six-year terms. No more than two members can be members of the same political party. The commissioners elect, among themselves, a chairman and deputy chairman every two years.[2]
Vacancies
Title 37, Chapter 2, Article 1 of the Wyoming Code details how vacancies in the office are filled. In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the governor shall fill the vacancy in accordance with Wyoming Statute § 28-12-101.
The governor appoints a successor, with the advice and consent of the state senate. In the event that the legislature is not in session when the position becomes vacant, the governor may fill the seat by temporary appointment to be effective until March 1 of the ensuing calendar year.[3]
Duties
The primary duty of the public service commission is to regulate the rates and service provision of electricity, natural gas, and telephone utilities. The commission is responsible for ensuring safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair rates. Additional duties include:
- certifying utility service territory
- resolving complaints lodged against utilities
- authorizing major utility construction projects
- manage utility mergers and reorganizations
- administering the Wyoming Universal Service Fund
- representing the interests of Wyoming in regulatory issues on both regional and national organizations
- arbitrating disputes between parties[1]
The commission does NOT regulate the following utilities:
- municipal water systems
- municipal gas and electric utilities
- interstate utility companies
- cable television companies
- wholesale entities like generation and transmission cooperatives who do not sell directly to the public[1]
Divisions
As of January 2021, there were three units within the public service commission:
- Administration
- Office of Consumer Advocate
- Wyoming Universal Service Fund[4]
The staff of the public service commission includes accountants, attorneys, economists, engineers, and support staff.[1]
State budget
- See also: Wyoming state budget and finances
The budget for the Wyoming Public Service Commission for the 2024-2026 fiscal biennium was $18,388,155.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, each commissioner received a salary of $132,351, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2022
In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $123,692, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $123,692, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $121,692, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $121,692, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $121,692, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $130,591, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $130,591, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $125,145, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, each commissioner received a salary of $120,340, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, each commissioner received a salary of $115,711.[16]
2010
In 2010, each commissioner received a salary of $115,712, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Wyoming Public Service Commission has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State profile
| Demographic data for Wyoming | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 586,555 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 97,093 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 91% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 1.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 0.9% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 2.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.7% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 9.6% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 92.3% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 25.7% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $58,840 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 12.7% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wyoming. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Wyoming
Wyoming voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More Wyoming coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Wyoming
- United States congressional delegations from Wyoming
- Public policy in Wyoming
- Endorsers in Wyoming
- Wyoming fact checks
- More...
Recent news
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Contact information
Wyoming Public Service Commission
Hansen Building
2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 300
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7427
Fax: 307-777-5700
E-mail: Wyoming_PSC@wyo.gov
See also
| Wyoming | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Wyoming Public Service Commission, "About Us," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wyoming Code, "Title 37, Chapter 2, Article 1," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 State of Wyoming Legislature, "State Statutes & Constitution," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Wyoming Public Service Commission, "2020 Annual Report" (page 1), accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Wyoming State Legislature, "Enrolled Act No. 50, House of Representatives," accessed January 23, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 29, 2021
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed January 29, 2021
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