Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission
| Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $143,658 |
| 2024 FY Budget: | $14,261,300 |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Rhode Island general laws, § 42-14.3-1 |
| Leadership: | Ronald Gerwatowksi |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
| Abigail Anthony, Ronald Gerwatowksi, John C. Revens | |
| Other Rhode Island Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission is a three-person executive board in the Rhode Island state government. The commission works cooperatively with the administrator of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers to regulate public utilities.[1]
Current officeholder
The current officeholders are:
- Abigail Anthony (nonpartisan)
- Ronald Gerwatowksi (nonpartisan)
- John C. Revens (nonpartisan)
Authority
The public utilities commission is established in Section 42-14.3-1 of the Rhode Island general laws.
§ 42-14.3-1:
| There shall be a public utilities commission. The head of the commission shall be the chairperson of the public utilities commission, who shall carry out, except as otherwise provided by this title, the provisions of chapters 1 – 20, inclusive, of title 39, and of all other general laws and public laws heretofore carried out by the former administrator of public utilities and carriers and division of public utilities and carriers.[2] |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
Commissioners are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the state Senate, to six-year terms. Commissioners are selected "with regard to their qualifications and experience in law and government, energy matters, economics and finance, and engineering and accounting," and are eligible to succeed themselves.[3]
Vacancies
According to Title 39 of the Rhode Island general laws, a vacancy in the office of a commissioner (other than by expiration of a term) shall be filled by gubernatorial appointment. The appointee will serve the remainder of the unexpired term.[3]
Duties
According to Title 39 of the Rhode Island general laws the commission has the duty "to supervise, regulate, and make orders governing the conduct of companies offering to the public in intrastate commerce energy, communication, and transportation services and water supplies for the purpose of increasing and maintaining the efficiency of the companies, according desirable safeguards and convenience to their employees and to the public, and protecting them and the public against improper and unreasonable rates, tolls, and charges by providing full, fair, and adequate administrative procedures and remedies, and by securing a judicial review to any party aggrieved by such an administrative proceeding or ruling."[4]
Divisions
The commission includes the following eight divisions:[1]
- Electric
- Water
- Wastewater
- Natural gas
- Telecom
- Cable TV
- Motor carriers
- Ferry services
State budget
- See also: Rhode Island state budget and finances
The revised budget for the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2024 was $14,261,300.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2022
In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $143,658, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2021
In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $117,412, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2020
In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $117,412 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $117,412 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $117,412 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2017
In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $117,412 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $117,412, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $125,071, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, each commissioner received a salary of $125,071, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, each commissioner was paid an estimated $125,071. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[15]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
- Marion Gold (2016-2021)
- Margaret E. "Meg" Curran (2013-2019)
- Elia Germani (2000-2013)
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission
89 Jefferson Boulevard
Warwick, RI 02888
Phone: (401) 941-4500
E-mail: thomas.kogut@dpuc.ri.gov
See also
| Rhode Island | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 State of Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, "Homepage," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ State of Rhode Island, "CHAPTER 42-14.3, Public Utilities Commission," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rhode Island general laws, "Title 39: Public Utilities and Carriers; Section 39-1-4: Composition of commission - Terms - Vacancies," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ State of Rhode Island, "CHAPTER 39-1, Public Utilities Commission," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ Rhode Island Legislature, "2023 -- H 5200 Substitute A as Amended," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 29, 2014
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