PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Secretary can give grants to States to set up and run independent consumer service offices that help people in cases before utility regulators. These offices must be able to check how proposed rate or rule changes affect all consumers, help consumers present their cases, and argue for the position they think is best for consumers, including on rate design. States must promise the federal money will be extra and not replace other funding. Help can also go to a Tennessee Valley Authority office if it is independent from the TVA.

Title 42, §6805

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment, operation, and purpose; qualifications for funds

The Secretary may make grants to States, or otherwise as provided in subsection (c), under this section to provide for the establishment and operation of offices of consumer services to assist consumers in their presentations before utility regulatory commissions. Any assistance provided under this section shall be provided only for an office of consumer services which is operated independently of any such utility regulatory commission and which is empowered to—

(1)make general factual assessments of the impact of proposed rate changes and other proposed regulatory actions upon all affected consumers;

(2)assist consumers in the presentation of their positions before utility regulatory commissions; and

(3)advocate, on its own behalf, a position which it determines represents the position most advantageous to consumers, taking into account developments in rate design reform.

(b)Grants subject to State assurances on funds

Grants pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be made only to States which furnish such assurances as the Secretary may require that funds made available under such section will be in addition to, and not in substitution for, funds made available to offices of consumer services from other sources.

(c)Offices established by Tennessee Valley Authority

Assistance may be provided under this section to an office of consumer services established by the Tennessee Valley Authority, if such office is operated independently of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 95–617 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”, meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration.

§6805 Grants for State Consumer Protection Offices by Secretary

Summary

Title 42, §6805

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata