disposal, and steam heating companies operating
within the State. It has the power to fix both mini-
mum and maximum rates and to suspend sched-
ules pending the determination of the rea-
sonableness of proposed rates. Public utilities may
not abandon or discontinue the exercise of any
franchise without permission of the Commission.

The Commission hears matters relative to 1)
rate adjustments; 2) applications to exercise
franchises; 3) approval of issuance of securities; 4)
promulgation of new rules and regulations; 5)
quality of utility and common carrier service; and
6) railroad safety. It has the authority to issue a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in
connection with an electric utility's application to
construct a new generating station or transmission
lines of a certain capacity (Code 1957, Art. 78,
sees. 1 through 107).

The Commission is authorized to make joint in-
vestigations, hold joint hearings, and issue joint or
other concurrent orders in conjunction with any
official state or federal board or commission under
agreements and compacts between states, under
the concurrent powers of states to regulate inter-
state commerce as an agency of the federal gov-
ernment, or otherwise (Code 1957, Art. 78, sec.
59). In accordance with the federal Motor Carri-
ers Act, the Commission also is represented on
joint boards created by the Interstate Commerce
Commission to hear and pass upon applications
and proceedings pertaining to interstate motor
carrier operation conducted in or through not
more than three states.

The Commission maintains a laboratory in
which it makes daily tests of gas furnished in Bal-
timore City. It also makes regular and frequent
tests of the gas and electricity furnished in other
parts of the State.

In 1978, the Commission established a Consum-
er Assistance Section to respond to consumer
complaints (Chapter 756, Acts of 1976).

The Public Service Commission is supported by
an assessment on each utility and common carrier
under its jurisdiction of a proportionate share of
the Commission's direct and indirect expenses.

Appointed by the Governor with the advice and
consent of the Senate, the Commission consists of
five members, one of whom is designated as
chairperson. Members serve five-year terms. The
General Counsel of the Commission is an attor-
ney-at-law of the State and is appointed by and
serves at the pleasure of the Commission (Code
1957, Art. 78).

Independent Agencies/'427
OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE'S COUNSEL

John M. Glynn, People's Counsel
Telephone: 333-6046

The Office of the People's Counsel operates in-
dependently from the Public Service Commission
and may participate in all proceedings before the
Commission. The People's Counsel represents the
interests of residential consumers of gas, electric,
telephone, sewer and water services, and non-
commercial users of regulated transportation in-
dustries. The People's Counsel may appear before
any federal or State agency to protect the interests
of residential or noncommercial users (Chapter
756, Acts of 1976). The Office of the People's
Counsel may use existing staff of the Commission
and also retain additional expert witnesses to testi-
fy in various proceedings before the Commission
(Code 1957, Art. 78, sees. 14-15B).

UTILITY CONSUMER ADVISORY
PANEL

Appointed by President of Senate: Angela
Beltram; J. C. Parker, Jr.; Walter J. Petzold;
George D. Shropshire; Wardell V. Stansbury; two
vacancies.

Appointed by Speaker of House of Delegates:
Edward K. Barney; George L. Bowler; Offie
dark; William M. Kenny; Jeffrey F. Liss; Robert
C. Wathan.

Ex officio: Frank 0. Heintz, Chairperson, Public
Service Commission; John M. Glynn, People's
Counsel.

In 1978, the Utility Consumer Advisory Panel
was created within the Public Service Commission
(Chapter 860, Acts of 1978). The Panel advises
the Public Service Commission on general goals
for the development of programs, undertakes
studies and issues reports, and fosters cooperation
and understanding on utility matters among feder-
al, State, and local agencies, as well as private
groups and consumers. The Panel also advises the
People's Counsel on general goals for the develop-
ment of programs and on specific consumer objec-
tives in order to assist the People's Counsel in for-
mulating policy in rate cases, investigations, and
other matters.

The Panel consists of thirteen public members
geographically representative of the utility con-
suming public. Seven are appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Senate, and six by the Speaker of the
House of Delegates. Members serve three-year