The Basics
Every state, along with DC and most of the U.S. territories, has a group of government officials that regulates utilities. These groups are usually called Public Utilities Commissions, Public Service Commissions, or Corporation Commissions, and their members are called commissioners. In most places, commissioners are appointed by the governor (or sometimes the state legislature), but in 11 states commissioners are elected directly by voters.
A utilities commission regulates and oversees the public utilities in your state: water, sewage, electricity, gas, and sometimes telecommunications too (which includes rules around telemarketing and spam calls). Some states also give their commissions authority over railroads and other industries.
Because of this regulatory power, commissioners have a lot of influence over one of the most basic and important aspects of your household budget: your utility bills. They also have a big impact on energy and climate issues in your state. Commissioners make far-reaching decisions on whether to expand renewable energy, make it easier for individual homeowners to get rooftop solar, or allow new fossil fuel-based power plants to be built.
The way commissioners are elected varies. Some states elect all their commissioners at-large (meaning all the state’s voters vote on every commissioner), and some separate the state into districts, with each district electing one commissioner.
How can I make my voice heard?
Democracy works when you do! Learn how to advocate for what you believe in, no matter the office or government agency, with our handy Genius Guides to advocacy.
Source: the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
What have Public Utilities Commissioners done?
Commissioners’ decisions can affect everything from your household budget, to air and water quality in your neighborhood, to how your state responds to climate change. Here are just a few examples of actions that have made a big impact:
- Davante Lewis
Louisiana
When the Public Service Commission voted 4-1 to raise electricity rates to offset hurricane recovery costs, Commissioner Lewis was the only ‘no’ vote – he argued the rate hike hadn’t gone through the normal review process and said the commission should “protect ratepayers from unnecessary financial burdens” - Andy Tobin
Arizona
Proposed a plan for Arizona’s utilities to generate at least 80% of electricity from renewable and nuclear energy by 2030, along with energy efficiency reforms and policies promoting electric cars
Case Study: how energy efficiency programs impact household budgetsLink
In April 2025, Louisiana’s Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 3-2 to cancel plans for a statewide energy efficiency program that had been in the works for over 14 years. Set to launch in 2026, the program was intended to reduce energy consumption by helping up to 40,000 households insulate their homes and upgrade HVAC systems, which would also lower costs for these households – the less energy you use, the less you pay for. Commissioners who opposed the program believed the administrative costs would be too high, and advocated for utility companies to take up energy efficiency efforts themselves. Those who supported the program criticized the commission for the way the vote was handled – it was added to the agenda only two days before the meeting, which was held in a remote part of the state over two hours from where the commission usually meets, making it harder for the public to participate.
While Louisiana has moved up in the national rankings for energy efficiency due to updated building codes, it still ranks 37th in the nation, and investigations have found that Louisiana residents “consume more electricity in their homes than in any other state.” With the power to approve or reject statewide programs like this, the PSC has a direct impact on household budgets across Louisiana.
Sources: Floodlight News; the Louisiana Public Service Commission; Government Technology
How does it work in my state?
Scroll down and click on your state to learn more about the specifics of a public utilities commissioner’s powers and responsibilities where you live. (If your state isn’t here yet, check back often – we’re adding more info all the time. If your state doesn’t have an elected Public Utilities Commission, you won’t see it here.)
Louisiana: Public Service CommissionersLink
Term limits: any Commissioner who has served more than 2 ½ terms (15 years) in a row is not eligible for reelection. Terms are six years
Eligibility: to run for Commissioner, you must be at least 25 years old and a registered Louisiana voter; and must have been a U.S. citizen and Louisiana resident for at least five years
Louisiana is divided into five Public Service Commission (PSC) districts, and one commissioner is elected from each district. Terms are staggered, so the whole commission is not up for election at the same time. The main responsibilities of a commissioner are:
- Regulating utilities throughout the state
Including electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, and phone services - Setting utility rates (how much utility companies can legally charge you for their services)
One exception: the PSC does not have the power to set rates for utilities that are owned and operated by municipal governments. There are 20 cities and towns in Louisiana that have their own independent power systems - Regulating some transportation services
Including waste haulers, pipelines, movers, towing and recovery services, and passenger carriers (any vehicles that can transport more than 15 people, such as trains and buses) - Managing Louisiana’s Do Not Call list
This service helps reduce spam calls
Sources: the Louisiana Constitution; the Louisiana Public Service Commission; the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources