HELENA, Montana — Earlier today, at a meeting of the Montana Legislative Audit Committee, Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) President James Brown thanked the Legislative Audit Division for recognizing substantial improvements in PSC operations and governance in a recent performance audit report on the agency.
The report, entitled, "Reinforcing improvements in Public Service Regulation," recognizes the work done by the PSC to improve its governance and operations in recent years and encourages the Commission to seek additional support from the Legislature to continue its reform efforts.
The report finds the PSC "implemented new policies and a strategic plan to improve department operations and guide commissioners, management, and staff in the department's work. We found the department has addressed many of the previous concerns and did not find evidence of improper influence on the regulatory process." The committee report goes on to recommend the agency continue its reform efforts, many of which are already ongoing.
In response to the report, PSC President James Brown said, "The PSC appreciates that, after a lengthy, exhaustive, two-year review, the Legislative Audit Division expressly recognizes the significant improvements to agency operations and culture made by the PSC since January 2021."
President Brown went on to enumerate many of the most significant reforms the agency has undertaken to date saying, "In the three years that have passed, the Commission has: (1)extensively restructuredthe agency and its organizational rule to better define the agency's chain of command and operations; (2) Undertaken a complete overhaul and rewrite of the PSC's internal operations policies and manuals, including those policies that govern commissioner conduct; (3) parted ways with underperforming senior staff and; (4) hired experienced senior staff in the agency's Centralized Services Division."
Commission Vice President Jennifer Fielder added, "It has been a heavy lift and there's more to do, but it's been really satisfying to witness this agency make such great strides in the last three years. The quality of work is of the highest caliber across all divisions, and everyone is working really well together on behalf of the people of Montana."
As part of its major reform efforts beginning in January 2021, the Commission revamped PSC governance, operations, procedures, and controls, developed a four-year Strategic Plan, adopted twenty-two new internal policies, and implemented a large-scale software modernization project.
The Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and intrastate railroad safety. The Commission works to ensure that Montanans receive safe and reliable service from regulated public utilities while paying reasonable rates.
For more information, visit psc.mt.gov, call 1-800-646-6150, follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC, or check for updates at Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.
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