With respect to publicly owned utility districts and cooperatives, its authority is limited to safety regulations.

The present commission was reestablished in 1987 as a three-member panel, replacing the office of the Public Utility Commissioner, as a result of voters' passage of a statewide ballot measure in November 1986.

[1] The new panel's first three members, all appointed by Governor Neil Goldschmidt, were Charles Davis, who had already been serving as acting Commissioner since January 1987;[2] State Senator Nancy Ryles and Paul G.

They also monitor other programs carried out by regulated utilities, including safety procedures, to ensure that services are safe and reliable.

The Regulatory Operations Division tracks and process all filings, maintains the PUC databases, organizes semi-monthly public meeting agendas, determines utility fee assessments, and coordinates administrative rule action.