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Public involvement is important for good decision-making, and we encourage citizen participation in issues that affect utilities and their customers.
Understanding the rates and services of the electricity, natural gas, telephone and water companies regulated by the PUC has grown more complicated in recent years.
Public involvement may take several forms, from simply receiving press releases or other notices of PUC activities, to appearances at public meetings or formal participation in rate cases.
WHAT IS THE PUC?
The Oregon Public Utility Commission consists of three members appointed by the Governor.
The PUC regulates the state’s privately-owned electricity and natural gas companies, and certain telephone and water companies. Most of the companies under PUC jurisdiction are fully regulated. That means the PUC approves the utility’s rates and services, and establishes rules the utility must follow concerning safety and consumer practices such as deposits, and service connections and disconnections.
The PUC’s primary responsibility is to ensure that customers of regulated services receive adequate service at fair and reasonable rates. At the same time, the Commission is required by law to see that the regulated companies are allowed an opportunity to earn a fair return on their investments.
The PUC’s office is located in Salem. Our staff includes experts in safety, engineering and accounting.
HOW DO I OBTAIN INFORMATION?
We have a variety of information available. This Guide contains descriptions of publications and documents, along with the names and phone numbers of staff members to contact to obtain copies or have your name placed on permanent mailing lists.
General information about all our programs is available from the Information Office (503) 378-8962. If you wish to write for information, address your letters to Oregon Public Utility Commission, PO Box 2148, Salem, OR 97308-2148.
Examples of general-interest publications include:
PRESS RELEASES
We prepare press releases as needed on important PUC decisions and activities, and maintain an extensive mailing list to distribute them. If you wish to receive releases on a particular subject, contact the Public Information Office, (503) 378-8962.
FACTSHEETS AND MORE
Factsheets and Consumer Bulletins on various PUC programs and current utility issues are available from the Public Information Office, (503) 378-8962.
*This document is available in alternate formats by calling (503) 378-8962 (voice) or TTY 711)
CONSUMER SERVICES
PUC Consumer Services has a utility consumer rights summary in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian. We also have a publication available which answers 25 questions frequently asked by utility customers.
The information explains rules on deposits, disconnection notices, medical certificates and other matters. Copies are available by calling the Commission’s Consumer Services Section toll-free at (800) 522-2404.
TARIFF FILINGS
Our Utility Program distributes notices of tariff filings by regulated utilities to change a rate or service. We update the notices, entitled “Filings Currently Pending with the OPUC,” weekly. To be on the mailing list, contact the Utility Program, (503) 378-2118.
AGENCY OBJECTIVES
The Commission identifies major regulatory and administrative objectives it plans to accomplish each year. The objectives are prepared by staff, adopted at a public meeting, and distributed to interested individuals and organizations. Copies are available from the Commission Office, (503) 378-6611.
DOES THE PUC HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS?
YES. In 1987, utility regulation in Oregon changed from a single commissioner to a three-person commission. At that time the new Commission began holding public meetings to conduct much of its business.
The Commission holds public meetings every other Tuesday (necessary schedule changes are announced) in the Main Hearing Room on the first floor of the PUC Building in Salem (550 Capitol Street NE). We hold additional public meetings as needed in other locations. We notify the public of all public meetings. The agendas are posted on the agency website at PUC.State.Or.us
MAILING LIST AND MEETING AGENDA
We maintain a mailing list of persons who wish to receive advance copies of the public meeting agenda. Staff reports on agenda items are also available on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the public meeting and meeting minutes are available soon after each meeting. The public meeting agenda is divided into two parts – regular business and a “consent agenda” of items that do not appear controversial and can be approved collectively with one vote. Any item on the consent agenda that is questioned is acted on separately.
The Public Utility Commission does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
The Commission sets time aside at each meeting for public comments. Members of the public may bring up any subject related to a rate or service regulated by the Commission, or may comment on matters scheduled for Commission action. Appearance slips are available at the meetings for those who wish to speak. If you wish to be notified of public meeting activities, contact the Commission Office, (503) 378-6611.
To accommodate people who cannot attend the meeting in person or who wish to write instead, written comments may be submitted before the public meeting on any agenda item. Sign language interpreters are available with at least 48 hours’ advance notice by calling us at (503) 378-6611 (voice).
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN UTILITY RATE CASES?
One way to get involved in PUC decisions is to participate in rulemakings or rate and service cases conducted by our Administrative Hearings Division. We provide detailed information on the rate-setting process in the fact sheet How Utility Rates are Set.
There are two ways to participate in formal rate proceedings pending before the Commission – as an “intervenor” with party status or as an interested person.
INTERVENORS
Intervenors who have been granted “party” status in rate proceedings may file testimony, cross-examine witnesses, and be cross-examined themselves. Because formal participation is more demanding, that level of involvement is normally used by organizations with resources to hire attorneys, or by individuals who are very familiar with utility rate matters. The Administrative Law Judge in charge of the proceeding must approve an Intervenor’s petition for party status. For instructions on how to petition to intervene, contact the Administrative Hearings Division, (503) 378-6678.
INTERESTED PERSONS
Interested persons may submit comments at public comment meetings, if scheduled, on formal rate proceedings. They may also submit written comments to the Commission by using a link on the Commission web site, by sending a written letter to the Filing Center, or by calling Consumer Services. The Commission will consider those comments in making its final decision.
MAILING LISTS
The Administrative Hearings Division maintains mailing lists to keep parties or interested persons informed of meetings, hearings or other major steps in pending cases. The lists are as follows:
- General service list for a specific industry, to be notified of a new case;
- General rulemaking service list for a specific industry, to be notified of a new rulemaking; and
- Lists specific to a pending case, to receive information specific to an open case.
To be added to any of our mailing lists or to obtain other information about how to participate in formal proceedings, contact the Administrative Hearings Division, (503) 378-6678.
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