Public Service Commission outlines safety, rate and consumer programs to House committee

The Montana Public Service Commission told the House Energy, Technology and Governmental Affairs Committee on the Legislature’s interim session that it has reorganized to improve operations and to clarify roles between commissioners and staff. "We created an executive director position to work with the commission and serve as a buffer between individual commissioners and staff," said Jennifer Fielder, vice president of the Montana Public Service Commission.

The commission described itself as a quasi‑judicial body that regulates privately owned monopolistic utilities — including electric, natural gas, water, sewer and landline telephone companies — and oversees programs such as pipeline and railroad safety. "These industries are monopolistic, industries that are privately owned, and they have a captive customer audience," Fielder said, explaining why…