468/Maryland Manual

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

Chairperson: Frank O. Heintz, 1993

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice &
consent: Lilo K. Schifter, 1989; Linda M. Thomas,
1990; William A. Badger, 1991; Claude M. Ligon,
1992.

Bryan G. Moorhouse, General Counsel
Ronald E. Hawkins, Executive Secretary
Michael J. Scibinico II, Executive Director

American Building
231 E. Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 333-6071
toll free: 1-800-492-0474

Budget (Code 22.07.00)
FY1989 Total Appropriation..............$7,689,548
General Funds.....................................$7,235,249
Special Funds.......................................$ 454,299
FY1989 Total Authorized Positions.............138.5

Annual Report to Governor & General Assembly due
third Wednesday of March.

Annual Report to General Assembly on terminations of
service during previous heating season due June 1.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CONSUMER ASSISTANCE & PUBLIC
AFFAIRS DIVISION
Shirley L. Bigley, Director..............333-6028

GENERAL COUNSEL

Bryan G. Moorhouse,.............333-6011

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Ronald E. Hawkins,..............333-6066

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Donald P. Eveleth, Assistant Executive
Secretary................................... 333-6064

HEARING EXAMINER DIVISION

Paul H. Harrington, Chief Hearing Examiner
...........................333-6030

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michael J. Scibinico II.............333-2768

ENGINEERING DIVISION
John W. Dorsey, Chief Engineer.....333-6085

ACCOUNTING DIVISION
Charles J. Kruft, Chief Auditor........333-6019

TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
Richard P. Page, Director...............333-6060

RATE RESEARCH & ECONOMICS
DIVISION
Douglas E. Kinney..........................333-6022

STAFF COUNSEL DIVISION
Allen M. Freifeld, Staff Counsel......333-6020

The Public Service Commission was established
in 1910 (Chapter 180, Acts of 1910). The Com-
mission exercises jurisdiction over all gas, electric,
telephone, telegraph, water, sewage disposal, and
steam heating companies operating within the
State. The Commission has the power to fix rates
and to suspend rate schedules pending the determi-
nation of the reasonableness of proposed rates.
Public utilities may not abandon or discontinue any
franchise without permission of the Commission.

The Commission has jurisdiction over common
carriers engaged in the public transportation of
passengers or freight within Maryland, except those
carriers of passengers that come within the jurisdic-
tion of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Commission (Chapter 613, Acts of 1959). The
Public Service Commission also has jurisdiction
over all taxicabs operating in Baltimore City, Balti-
more County, Cumberland, and Hagerstown. The
Commission licenses taxicab drivers in Baltimore
City. It also has assumed the rate-setting function
formerly exercised by the Board of Examiners of
Maryland Pilots (Chapter 726, Acts of 1984).

The Commission deals with rate adjustments;
applications to exercise franchises; approval of issu-
ance of securities; promulgation of new rules and
regulations; and quality of utility and common
carrier service. It has authority to issue a Certificate
of Public Convenience and Necessity for construc-
tion of new generating stations or transmission lines
of a certain capacity (Code 1957, Art. 78, secs.
1-107).

The Commission is authorized to make joint
investigations, 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 govern-
ment, or otherwise (Code 1957, Art. 78, sec. 59).
In accordance with the federal Motor Carriers 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 operations
conducted in or through not more than three states.

Each utility and common carrier under Commis-
sion jurisdiction is assessed a proportionate share of
the Commission's direct and indirect expenses.

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