West Virginia Public Service Commission
| West Virginia Public Service Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $90,000 |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $19,634,848 |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Created by act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1913 |
| Leadership: | Michael Albert |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Other West Virginia Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education• Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner• Natural Resources Commissioner • Secretary of Commerce • Commissioner of Labor • Public Service Commission | |
The West Virginia Public Service Commission is a three-person state executive board in the West Virginia state government. The board is responsible for enforcing and regulating the practices, services and rates of public utilities operating within the state. The chairman, selected by the governor, serves as the chief administrative officer of the commission.[1]
Current officeholder
The current chairman is Michael Albert, who serves alongside Brooks McCabe and Renee Larrick. Chairman Albert's current term expires in 2019.[2]
McCabe replaced Ryan Palmer, who resigned in September 2014 to take a position with the Federal Communications Commission.[3] Larrick replaced Kara Williams, whose term on the Commission expired on June 30, 2017.[4]
Authority
The West Virginia Public Service Commission was created in 1913 by act of the state legislature.
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications to hold the office of public service commissioner.
Appointments
All of the commissioners are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the state senate, to staggered six-year terms. One commissioner's term ends on June 30 of each odd-numbered year.
Vacancies
Vacancies on the public service commission are filled by gubernatorial appointment with the consent of the state senate. In the event of a vacancy before the six-year term has expired, the appointee will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Duties
The public service commission supervises and regulates the rates, services, operations and activities of all people, firms and government agencies that provide public utility services. The utilities in their jurisdiction include electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, telecommunication, solid waste disposal and landfills. The commission also regulates many contract motor carriers that transport people and property across public highways, including taxi services, some limousine services, solid waste, transportation service, third-party towing and household movers.[5]
The commission acts upon petitions from the entities it regulates as well as complaints filed by consumers.[6]
A more exhaustive list of the duties of the public service commission can be found here.
Divisions
There are several divisions within the public service commission. The administration, general counsel and executive secretary divisions handle the traditional functions of managing any office that do not relate directly to utilities. The following units perform more specific tasks related to the regulation of public utilities:
- The Engineering Division provides technical recommendations and advice to the commission regarding rates, quality of service and general operation. The staff also provides assistance to customers and utility companies.
- The Legal Division provides legal opinions on cases brought before the commission for adjudication and resolution, represents commission analysts and defends the commission in the state and federal court systems.
- The Transportation Administration Division monitors the registration of motor carriers and collects fees and assessments. There are three sectors within the division: motor carrier, hazardous material registration and coal resource transportation system.
- The Transportation Enforcement Division conducts a variety of safety inspections of motor vehicles and work areas. There are three sectors within the division: safety enforcement, railroad safety, special operations and logistics.
- The Utilities Division analyzes the records of utility providers and addresses formal customer complaints. The division specializes in telecommunications and cable television regulation.
- The Water/Wastewater Division assists water and sewer public service districts, municipalities and associations. The division staff also respond to informal complaints, information requests and general utility inquiries.
State budget
- See also: West Virginia state budget and finances
The budget for the West Virginia Public Service Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $19,634,848.[7]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
Chapter 6, Article 7-2 of the West Virginia Code lays out the exact compensation for certain state officers.[8]
2016
In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2015
In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2014
In 2014, each commissioner received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2013
In 2013, each commissioner received a salary of $90,000.[12]
2012
In 2012, each commissioner was paid an estimated $90,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, each commissioner was paid an estimated $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the West Virginia 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.
Recent news
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Contact information
Public Service Commission of West Virginia
201 Brooks Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 1-800-344-5113
Fax: 304-340-0325
See also
| West Virginia | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Public Service Commission of West Virginia, "Commission History," accessed December 5, 2013
- ↑ Public Service Commission of West Virginia, "Meet our Chairman and Commissioners," accessed May 23, 2013
- ↑ The Charleston Gazette, "Bill Howley: Independence is key to new PSC appointment," September 17, 2014
- ↑ Public Service Commission of West Virginia, "Gov. Justice appoints Renee Larrick to Public Service Commission," July 3, 2017
- ↑ Public Service Commission of West Virginia, "Commission and staff," accessed June 29, 2011
- ↑ Public Service Commission of West Virginia, "Commission history," accessed June 29, 2011
- ↑ West Virginia State Budget Office, "Legislature's Enrolled FY 2013 Budget Bill," accessed April 3, 2013
- ↑ West Virginia Code, " Retrieved June 20, 2011
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed April 23, 2011
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