Utility regulation in Oregon has its roots in statutes adopted before statehood by the Provincial Government of the Oregon Territory. In 1843, laws were enacted to regulate granaries in the public interest.

Throughout the early years and until 1995, the PUC had two roles: it regulated both the utility and transportation industries. It actually began as the first State Board of Railroad Commissioners in 1887. This board was abolished in 1898 and re-established in 1907 as the Railroad Commission of Oregon.
 
In 1911, the Commission´s jurisdiction was expanded to include regulation of public utilities. Four years later, its name was changed to the Public Service Commission of Oregon.
 
Public Service Commission members were originally elected. In 1927, the law was changed and the three Commission positions became appointive. After four years, the Commission was abolished and the office of Public Utility Commissioner of Oregon was created.

1986 - Oregon voters approved a ballot measure changing the office back to a three-person Commission.
1987 - The new Commission, appointed by the Governor, began operation.
1995 – Regulation of motor transportation and rail safety was transferred to the Department of Transportation.
1999 – HB 3615 established that the Governor would appoint the Chair of the Commission.

Though PUC´s regulatory responsibilities have remained the same, the decision-making process is more open to the public. The Commission, for example, holds regular public meetings to make regulatory decisions and develop policies.
 
The Commission´s primary responsibility is to ensure that customers receive adequate services at fair and reasonable rates.
 
Also, we are required by law to see that the regulated companies are allowed an opportunity to earn a fair return on their investments.
 
The Commission regulates the customer rates and services of the state´s investor-owned electric and natural gas companies, certain telephone services and water utilities. The PUC does not regulate people´s utility districts, cooperatives or municipally owned utilities.
 
To carry out our responsibilities, we have a professional staff trained in areas such as accounting, engineering and safety. This staff continually monitors the activities of regulated companies; scrutinizing rate and service matters to make sure those companies are being managed in a prudent and cost-effective manner. For example, we develop and enforce regulations to protect utility customers and coordinate a variety of energy conservation projects.
 
The PUC is organized into three sections: The Utility Program, The Administrative Hearings Division and The Policy and Administration Program.
 
Our Utility Program represents customers in rate filings by examining utility companies´ financial needs. They regularly check utility records to see that they comply with PUC and general accounting standards. They also monitor other programs carried out by regulated utilities, including safety procedures, to assure that services are safe and reliable. The Utility Program is divided into four Divisions - Electric and Natural Gas, Telecommunications, Economic Research and Financial Analysis (ERFA), and Regulatory Operations.

Electric and Natural Gas is responsible for ensuring that private electric and natural gas utilities offer safe and reliable energy at reasonable rate.
 
Telecommunications is responsible for promoting competition in local telecommunications markets while maintaining strong regulatory oversight where necessary to achieve the State goals for telecommunications service to Oregonians – high-quality service at reasonable prices, universal access to basic service, and continuing innovation in the services.
 
Economic Research and Financial Analysis Division conducts technical analyses on issues common to all the regulated industries. The division evaluates proposed mergers, reviews transactions between regulated utilities and unregulated affiliate companies, analyzes utilities cost of capital, formulates policies on regional and national electricity issues that affect Oregon consumers, and prepares reports on the status of competition in Oregon´s telecommunications industry.
 
Regulatory Operations includes our information systems unit, the utility support staff, and a support unit for regulatory operations.
 

The Administrative Hearings Division conducts public hearings and other proceedings on utility matters, including major rate cases. We often hold hearings in outlying areas of the state to offer customers a convenient opportunity to participate.
 
Our Policy and Administration Program is the umbrella program encompassing Commission Services, Central Services, Management Services, and Human Resources.
 

Commission Services provides support for the Commission Office.
Central Services provides business management services to the agency. Our Central Services Administrator also manages the Consumer Protection Services Section and our Residential Service Protection Fund.
 

Consumer Protection Services operates statewide toll-free phone numbers that utility customers may use to contact our staff: 1-800-522-2404 (voice) and 1-800-648-3458 (TTY). TTY users can call 711. Our staff can help resolve billing and service conflicts between customers and utility companies. They maintain extensive records, which provide information about the quality of service utility customers receive.
 
Our Residential Service Protection Fund (RSPF) consists of three telephone assistance programs: the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program (OTAP), the Telecommunication Devices Access Program (TDAP), and the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service (OTRS).
OTAP provides telephone bill reductions for qualified low-income persons. TDAP loans telecommunications devices to Oregonians with hearing, speech and mobility impairments. OTRS provides access to those using telecommunications devices to communicate with the non-disabled public, and vice versa. Information on the RSPF Programs is available toll-free at: 1-800-848-4442 (voice), 1-800-648-3458 (TTY) or for TTY users, 711.
 

Management Services provides research, analysis and information to the agency and the public. Included in this group is the Public Information Office, which disseminates information on the agency´s responsibilities and operations through publications, the news media and direct public contact.
Human Resources provides comprehensive personnel services to the agency.
 

Laws that govern the functions of the PUC are contained in Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapters 756 through 774. Additionally, the Commission has adopted administrative rules relating to these statutes.
 
Written copies of this information and other publications are available on request from the Oregon Public Utility Commission, PO Box 2148, Salem, OR 97308-2148; or by calling the toll-free Consumer Services numbers: 1-800-522-2404 (voice), 1-800-648-3458 (TTY) or 711 for TTY users.