Public Utilities Commission

Administrator Division of Public Utilities and Carriers Linda George

The Public Utilities Commission comprises two distinct regulatory bodies: a three-member Commission (the “Commission”) and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (the “Division”), and an Administrator.

The Commission serves as a quasi-judicial tribunal with jurisdiction, powers and duties to implement and enforce the standards of conduct under RIGL § 39-1-27.6 and to hold investigations and hearings involving the rates, tariffs, tolls, and charges, and the sufficiency and reasonableness of facilities and accommodations of railroads, ferry boats, gas, electric distribution, water, telephone, telegraph, and pipelines public utilities, the location of railroad depots and stations, and the control of grade crossings, the revocation, suspension or alteration of certificates issued pursuant to RIGL § 39-19-4, appeals under RIGL § 39-1-30, petitions under RIGL § 39-1-30, and proceedings under RIGL § 39-1-32. Through participation in the Energy Siting Board, the Commission’s chair also exercises jurisdiction over the siting of major energy facilities, pursuant to RIGL § 42-98. The Division is headed by an Administrator, who is not a Commissioner, exercises the jurisdiction, supervision, powers and duties not specifically assigned to the Commission, including the execution of all laws relating to public utilities and carriers and all regulations and orders of the Commission governing the conduct and charges of public utilities. The Division has exclusive jurisdiction over the rates, tariffs, tolls and charges and the sufficiency, and reasonableness of facilities and accommodations of common carriers of property and passengers over the State’s public roadways, pursuant to RIGL §§ 39-12, 39-13, and 39-14. Additionally, the Division supervises and regulates Community Antenna Television Systems (CATV) in Rhode Island; certifies all public utilities; and has independent regulatory authority over the transactions between public utilities and affiliates, and all public utility equity and debt issuances.