Utilities Hearings Officer

        The Utilities Hearings Officer holds administrative hearings on applications to provide utility services, tariff rates, financial practices, jurisdictional issues and consumer complaints; writes administrative orders; and, arbitrates disputes between telecommunication providers. The Utilities Hearings Officer schedules and presides over administrative proceedings including prehearing conferences, consumer sessions, workshops, mediations, arbitrations, and hearings in rulemakings, investigations and contested cases. The Utilities Hearings Officer also researches and analyzes evidence while drafting proposed orders and opinions based on the record as well as state and federal law, which will be reviewed and voted on by the Commissioners. Finally, the Utilities Hearing Officer reviews petitions for reconsideration and drafts appropriate responses.
        The decisions of the Utilities Hearings Officer are subject to appeal by the Commission in the same manner that the decisions of a Presiding Officer are subject to appeal and review by the Commission. The Utilities Hearings Officer does not vote on any matter before the Commission.