The UTC’s consumer specialists respond to more than a 1,000 calls each month from consumers. They provide information about utilities and transportation services and the companies that provide those services and investigate and resolve service complaints. If, after an investigation, staff determine a company exhibits a pattern of behavior that is fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or generally harmful to consumers, they may recommend the UTC issue a complaint against the company. This typically results in a financial penalty and a plan to come into compliance with the UTC’s consumer rules.

The UTC is the state agency responsible for pipeline and rail safety. It is also responsible for the safe operation of the private transportation companies it licenses. The work involved in this activity includes conducting inspections of equipment and facilities operated by regulated companies; auditing company records to ensure maintenance is completed timely, employees are qualified to do the work and that they are monitored for drug and alcohol use; and investigating accidents involving equipment or vehicles of regulated companies. The UTC also approves changes to railroad-highway grade crossings and inspects crossings to ensure they are safe. All UTC inspectors are federally certified to carry-out this work and apply state and federal rules.

The UTC sets the rates privately-owned utility and transportation companies may charge their customers, including gas and electric, telephone, water, solid-waste and bus companies. The UTC audits these companies’ operations to ensure they provide reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit. As a part of this the UTC ensures the companies invest in new facilities to ensure it can provide reliable service now and in the future. The UTC strives to lighten regulation where consumers have a choice of service providers such as for telecommunications and bus companies.