Public service commissions, also known as public utilities commissions or utility regulatory commissions, are state agencies responsible for regulating privately owned electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications utilities to protect consumers and ensure reliable service at fair rates. Commissioners are appointed by the governor or elected by voters depending on each state's governance structure.
There are 52 states with Public Service Commission locations across the United States. Every state in the country has some form of utility regulatory commission, reflecting the critical public interest role these agencies play in overseeing essential services.
Public Service Commission in the United States
Browsing by state helps consumers locate the regulatory body overseeing their utility providers, file complaints about service or billing disputes, and find information about upcoming rate hearings they may wish to attend or comment on as a member of the public.
Common Services
- Filing formal consumer complaints against regulated electric, gas, water, or telecom providers
- Reviewing and approving or denying proposed utility rate increases
- Holding public hearings on utility service standards and infrastructure applications
- Providing information about low-income energy assistance and utility protection programs
If you have a billing dispute or service issue with your utility that the company has not resolved, you can file a complaint with your state's public service commission. Have your account number, billing records, and documentation of your communications with the utility company ready when you file your complaint.
For official information, visit National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
About Public Service Commission
Public service commissions are quasi-judicial state agencies operating under legislative authority to balance the interests of utility consumers with the financial needs of regulated utilities. They issue binding orders on rate cases, service quality standards, and utility mergers, and their proceedings are generally open to public participation and comment.
Common Services
- Processing utility merger and acquisition review applications
- Setting and enforcing service reliability and quality of service standards
- Approving or denying utility infrastructure expansion and certificate of need applications
- Publishing utility rate schedules and tariffs for public access
Consumers interested in participating in utility rate proceedings can find public comment opportunities, upcoming docket hearings, and formal intervention instructions on the commission's website. Many commissions accept written public comments electronically on all pending rate cases.
For official information, visit National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.