You may not realize that you can play a role at the public utilities agencies that hold utility companies accountable while regulating electricity rates. Photo: Shutterstock
When you flip on a light switch or microwave your dinner, you’re probably not thinking about your state’s public utility agency. That’s totally understandable. But the reality is, these relatively unknown agencies play a huge role in how much it will cost to power those lights, heat up your leftovers, or watch another episode of “The Great British Bakeoff.”
State public utilities agencies are the government entities that regulate the utilities operating within the state. These agencies oversee how utilities and energy companies can use your money – and how much they can charge you for their services. Electric, gas, cable, and telephone utilities submit requests for the agency to approve, like when they want to build new projects or raise the rates that families and local businesses see on their monthly utility bills.
Naturally, if we left it up to utilities to make these decisions on their own, they’d act as a monopoly with no checks in place to make sure they’re serving the public in the best way. That’s where these agencies come in – to safeguard public interest and ensure reliable service and fair prices. In making its decisions, the agency will consider a range of issues such as, for example, how a rate increase might impact families, how a proposed energy facility might affect an endangered species, or whether a project is too close to the road.
Their work doesn’t stop there. Public utility agencies run energy efficiency programs, inspect facilities to verify that they’re operating correctly, and hold utilities accountable for improving reliability and access – especially during extreme weather conditions. They can encourage utilities to make greater efforts to reduce pollution that harms our health and the planet. This is about keeping the lights on, our bills affordable, our electricity reliable during the coldest or hottest months of the year, and so much more.
Because of their multiple roles, utility agencies wear multiple hats. They can function like a court, hearing arguments about whether utilities and companies can construct specific projects or charge certain rates, for example. They can issue an order, just like a judge, in these cases. They can also serve as policymakers, nudging utilities and energy companies to adopt policies they believe are important. Those policies can include developing special rates for electric vehicles or heat pumps, or establishing financial assistance programs for low- and moderate-income families.
While you might assume you’d need to be a lawyer to influence an agency like this, the truth is that each of us can play a role working with agencies to shape utility policies. Explore your agency’s website for opportunities to participate. And I promise, your voice is essential. When people get involved and offer different perspectives, it helps public utility agencies to better understand the consequences of their decisions for families and local businesses across the state.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get plugged in to your state public utilities agency!
