Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) regulate rate setting, infrastructure investments, and other electric and gas utility business practices.  Because Utilities Commissions derive their authority from state statutes, legislators frequently play an important role in amending PUC authority. In the 2013 session, state legislators have introduced 176 unique proposals directed explicitly at PUCs, according to the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University (www.cnee.colostate.edu)

The largest category of legislation proposed this session (84 bills) addressed commission authority and oversight of the state's PUC. Of these, the majority of proposals (53 bills) would expand a commission's authority, while the remainder (32 bills) would restrict authority in some manner. Bills in this category addressed multiple jurisdictional topics including general authorizations related to decision-making, program administration, and enforcement. Other proposals would provide for sunset reauthorization, or change evaluation procedures and reporting requirements related to legislative oversight. Of the 85 proposed bills, 21 were enacted.   Read more.....