Montana Public Service Commissioner, District 3
Part of a 5-person board that regulates electricity, water, gas, railroads, and pipelines
Full office description
- The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC, for short) is a 5-person board that ensures utility services (such as electricity, natural gas, and water) are affordable and reliable. This has direct impact on your cost of living and quality of life.
- The PSC regulates the rates for utilities, balancing the need for utilities to be financially sustainable with protecting consumers from excessive charges. Most times that utility companies want to charge more, the PSC must improve these rate increases.
- The PSC oversees safety standards for railroads and pipelines, playing a key role in preventing accidents, ensuring public safety, and conserving the environment.
- Through its regulatory actions, the PSC influences how much residents pay for essential services and ensures that these services are delivered fairly and efficiently.
How this impacts you
Utility Costs — The Public Service Commission impacts how much you pay in utilities by regulating the rates charged by power and gas companies.
Environment — The Public Service Commission can consider environmental impacts of energy production. For example, in April 2024, the PSC held hearings to consider new rules around carbon accounting, which would require utility companies to consider the CO2 produced during energy production.
