The Rhode Island Public Utility Commission and The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
At Keough + Sweeney, we have a special interest in Rhode Island public utilities. Attorney Joseph Keough has represented many individuals and businesses throughout his career, including numerous Public Utilities and renewable energy developers before the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. In the past fifteen years, Joe has handled over one hundred cases before these regulatory agencies.
For consumers in Rhode Island, there are online resources that can help answer questions, or learn more information about their utility services. These online resources provide a general overview for consumers and also allow residents to learn about the people who are providing safeguards to the public.
In Rhode Island, the Public Utilities Commission serves as a quasi-judicial tribunal with jurisdiction, powers, and duties to implement and enforce the standards of conduct and to hold investigations and hearings involving the rates, tariffs, tolls, and charges, and the sufficiency and reasonableness of facilities and accommodations of railroad, ferry boats, gas, electric distribution, water, telephone, telegraph, and pipeline public utilities, as well as the location of railroad depots and stations, and the control of grade crossings. Through participation in the Energy Facility Siting Board, the Commission’s chair also exercises jurisdiction over the siting of major energy facilities.
The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, which is headed by an Administrator who is not a Commissioner, exercises the jurisdiction, supervision, powers and duties not specifically assigned to the Commission, including the execution of all laws relating to public utilities and carriers and all regulations and orders of the Commission governing the conduct and charges of public utilities. The Division has exclusive jurisdiction over the rates, tariffs, tolls and charges and the sufficiency, and reasonableness of facilities and accommodations of common carriers of property and passengers over the State’s public roadways. Additionally, the Division supervises and regulates Community Antenna Television Systems (CATV) in Rhode Island; certifies all public utilities; and has independent regulatory authority over the transactions between public utilities and affiliates, and all public utility equity and debt issuances. The Division is also responsible for enforcing the DIG-SAFE program in the State of Rhode Island.
The links we’ve provided can help answer some questions about utility law. For more in-depth answers or for answers to other legal questions such as divorce, child custody, child support, and personal injury, please call our Pawtucket, Rhode Island office 401-724-3600 or either of our Massachusetts offices: Raynham 508-822-2813 and Boston 617-574-0054.
