PEOPLE'S COUNSEL

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore, Maryland] In 1924, the office of People's Counsel was established by the General Assembly (Chapter 534, Acts of 1924). It is the oldest utility consumer advocacy office in the nation.

The People's Counsel advocates for consumers in proceedings that affect the cost, reliability, and quality of public utilities service.

Before the Public Service Commission and the courts, the People's Counsel represents the interests of residential and noncommercial users of natural gas, electric, telephone, sewer, water, and regulated transportation services, such as taxicabs. Operating independently of the Public Service Commission, the People's Counsel evaluates matters pending before the Commission, and may request that the Commission initiate proceedings to protect consumers.


William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the People's Counsel appears in matters involving wholesale market issues and interstate transmission-line costs to be allocated to Maryland consumers. In addition, the People's Counsel advises on actions by the Federal Communications Commission which regulates interstate communications by radio, tv, wire, satellite, and cable.

The People's Counsel responds to consumer complaints about business practices of energy and telecommunications providers. For low-income users, moreover, the office works to resolve problems with service, gas and electric billing disputes, and terminations of service to vulnerable customers. Through consumer education programs, the People's Counsel informs utility customers about their rights.

Appointed by the Attorney General with Senate advice and consent, the People's Counsel serves a five-year term and must be an attorney-at-law of the State (Chapter 5, Acts of 2006 Special Session; Code Public Utilities Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-206).

The People's Counsel functions through two units: Administration, and Legal Services.

ADMINISTRATION

For the People's Counsel, Administration oversees accounting, procurement, budget preparation, and records management.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Since October 1, 2017, the People's Counsel has had a program for the continual, economical and efficient management of its records. The Counsel's Records Officer develops and oversees the program, and serves as liaison to the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services, and to the State Archives (Chapter 539, Acts of 2017; Code State Government Article, secs. 10-608 through 10-611).

LEGAL SERVICES

Legal Services represents the interests of residential customers of natural gas, private water, and telecommunications before the Public Service Commission, federal regulatory agencies, and the courts. Counsel lawyers and advocates represent Maryland residential customers wherever decisions about utility services are made. Consistent with State environmental and economic policies, this office further advocates for utility performance at the lowest reasonable cost through advocacy, education, and problem-solving.

Under Legal Services are Assistant People's Counsels, and Consumer Assistance.

CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
In November 2003, the Consumer Assistance Unit was created first under Administration. It transferred in 2005 to Consumer Affairs, which. restructured as Consumer Assistance in 2006.

Consumer Assistance provides intervention or answers questions for individual residential utility consumers and investigates complaints regarding billing, or the quality of billing for utility services when appropriate. The office gives educational presentations, provides referrals, and offers training about utility services and changes in energy markets. In coordination with the People's Counsel, the office informs the public about and improves access to energy assistance and other resources particularly for low-income Marylanders.

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