Michigan Public Service Commission
 Headquarters in Lansing |
|
| Commission overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1939 |
| Jurisdiction | State of Michigan |
| Headquarters | 7109 W. Saginaw Highway Lansing MI |
| Commission executives |
|
| Parent department | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
| Website | Official website |
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is a regulatory agency which regulates public utilities in the state of Michigan, including electric power, telecommunications, natural gas and transportation services. The MPSC's headquarters are located in Lansing, Michigan.
The mission of the MPSC is to grow Michigan's economy and enhance the quality of life of its communities by assuring safe and reliable energy, telecommunications, and transportation services at reasonable rates.
The MPSC is composed of three members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Commissioners are appointed to serve staggered six-year terms. No more than two Commissioners may represent the same political party. One commissioner is designated as chairman by the Governor.
John D. Quackenbush was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve as Chairman of the MPSC on Sept. 15, 2011. His term ends July 2, 2017.
Norman J. Saari was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the MPSC on July 22, 2015. His term ends July 2, 2021.
Sally A. Talberg was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Michigan Public Service Commission on July 3, 2013. Her term ends July 2, 2019.
The Michigan Legislature established the Michigan Railroad Commission in 1873 to regulate railroad rates and the conditions of the services provided. The Commission was expanded to a three-member body in 1909 to regulate rail and electric rates and conditions of service. The Michigan Railroad Commission’s was expanded to include telephone service in 1911.
The Michigan Railroad Commission was abolished in 1919 and replaced by the Michigan Public Utilities Commission, which initial consisted of five members. Those members each served four year terms. Public Act 419 of 1919 provided the MPUC with the authority to regulate steam and natural gas, the regulation extended to water carriers (ferry services) in 1921. Public Act 9 of 1929 expanded the regulatory ability of MPUC to natural gas pipelines, petroleum pipeline regulation was granted through Public Act 16 of 1929, and motor carries became regulated as a result of Public Act 254 of 1933.
The Michigan Public Utilities Commission was abolished in 1939 and the Michigan Public Service Commission MPSC was established, a five-member panel with each member serving a five-year term. The Legislature reduced the body to a three-member panel in 1947, with members serving staggered six-year terms. At that time, the Legislature imposed the first political restrictions on Commission members since the Railroad Commission had been abolished. MPSC members were prohibited from serving as officers or committee members of any political party organization. In 1951, the Legislature passed Public Act 275, which required that not more than two Commissioners may represent a single political party.
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