How The PSC Can Help

HOW THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION CAN HELP YOU

The Montana Public Service Commission regulates many utilities that are essential to modern day life. This guide outlines what the PSC can help with when it comes to your electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, telephone, garbage hauling, and transportation services.

Consumer Assistance staff are available at (800) 646-6150 or by submitting an online Request For Assistance. The PSC’s experienced staff will help you with matters under our jurisdiction, and guide you in the appropriate direction to address those matters not within PSC authority.

ELECTRIC
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Private or Investor-owned electric companies Rates and charges Meter and billing accuracy Reliability of the electric service Quality of service New service requests	Municipally-owned electric utilities Cooperative electric utilities Electrical wiring inside customer's home Physical placement or relocation of utility poles Cost of construction Damage claims Easements

NATURAL GAS
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Private or investor-owned natural gas companies Underground propane distribution Rates and charges Meter and billing accuracy Reliability of the natural gas service Pipeline safety oversight Damage prevention—Call Before You Dig Quality of service New service requests	Deliverable fuels (heating oil, propane, wood) House piping Gas pipeline siting Cost of construction Damage claims Easements

WATER / SEWER
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Private or Investor-owned water and sewer companies Rates and charges Meter and billing accuracy New service requests	Municipally owned water and sewer companies County water and sewer districts Homeowners’ association water and sewer user groups Damage claims Easements

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Local service providers—landline telephone only In-state long distance telephone services Network wiring up to the network interface device (box on home or building) Unauthorized change of carrier (slamming) Unauthorized charges (cramming) Billing problems Quality of service Number portability Pay phone price disclosure Operator service provider intrastate rates and service New service requests	Cooperative telecommunication companies Inside wiring Wireless/cellular services, except slamming and cramming Interstate or international telephone services Charges for pay per call—900 numbers Directory advertising Solicitation calls Easements

INTERNET / TV SERVICES
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
	Internet service Cable TV Satellite TV

GARBAGE HAULING
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Privately-owned solid waste companies in the state of Montana, not operating under a city contract Dumpsters and rolloffs	Municipally-owned solid waste Recycling Self-haul locations, such as garbage drop boxes and waste and recovery centers Rates and charges

MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Intrastate passenger transportation (Shuttle Service - Fixed Route/Fixed Rate, Ridesharing/App-based companies) Rates and Charges for Shuttle Services	Interstate passenger transportation Taxi Services (Not App-based) Any type of passenger transportaion designed to carry more than 26 passengers Rates and Charges for Ridesharing/App-based companies

RAILROADS
Call the PSC	The PSC Does Not Regulate
Blocked public railroad crossings Fencing on railroad property	Blocked private railroad crossing Railroad whistles and idling engines