ORS 756.040: General powers.

Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07

(1) In addition to the powers and duties now or hereafter transferred to or vested in the Public Utility Commission, the commission shall represent the customers of any public utility or telecommunications utility and the public generally in all controversies respecting rates, valuations, service and all matters of which the commission has jurisdiction. In respect thereof the commission shall make use of the jurisdiction and powers of the office to protect such customers, and the public generally, from unjust and unreasonable exactions and practices and to obtain for them adequate service at fair and reasonable rates. The commission shall balance the interests of the utility investor and the consumer in establishing fair and reasonable rates. Rates are fair and reasonable for the purposes of this subsection if the rates provide adequate revenue both for operating expenses of the public utility or telecommunications utility and for capital costs of the utility, with a return to the equity holder that is: (a) Commensurate with the return on investments in other enterprises having corresponding risks; and (b) Sufficient to ensure confidence in the financial integrity of the utility, allowing the utility to maintain its credit and attract capital. (2) The commission is vested with power and jurisdiction to supervise and regulate every public utility and telecommunications utility in this state, and to do all things necessary and convenient in the exercise of such power and jurisdiction. (3) The commission may participate in any proceeding before any public officer, commission or body of the United States or any state for the purpose of representing the public generally and the customers of the services of any public utility or telecommunications utility operating or providing service to or within this state. (4) The commission may make joint investigations, hold joint hearings within or without this state and issue concurrent orders in conjunction or concurrence with any official, board, commission or agency of any state or of the United States. [Amended by 1961 c.467 §1; 1971 c.655 §9; 1973 c.776 §15; 1987 c.447 §76; 1995 c.733 §53; 2001 c.569 §1]

Administrative rules citing this section

OAR 330-140-0010: Scope and Applicability of These Rules — implements
OAR 330-140-0010: Scope and Applicability of These Rules — authority
OAR 330-140-0020: Definitions as Used in This Division — authority
OAR 330-140-0030: Eligibility as a Self-Directing Consumer — implements
OAR 330-140-0030: Eligibility as a Self-Directing Consumer — authority
OAR 330-140-0040: Pre-certification of New Cost-effective Energy Efficiency Projects — implements
OAR 330-140-0040: Pre-certification of New Cost-effective Energy Efficiency Projects — authority
OAR 330-140-0050: Pre-certification of New Renewable Resource Purchase — implements
OAR 330-140-0050: Pre-certification of New Renewable Resource Purchase — authority
OAR 330-140-0055: Pre-certification of Investments in Distribution System-Connected Technologies — implements
OAR 330-140-0055: Pre-certification of Investments in Distribution System-Connected Technologies — authority
OAR 330-140-0060: Certification of Qualifying Expenditure for New Cost-effective Energy Efficiency Projects — implements
OAR 330-140-0060: Certification of Qualifying Expenditure for New Cost-effective Energy Efficiency Projects — authority
OAR 330-140-0070: Certification of Qualifying Expenditure for New Renewable Resources — implements
OAR 330-140-0070: Certification of Qualifying Expenditure for New Renewable Resources — authority
OAR 330-140-0075: Certification of Qualifying Expenditure for Investment in Distribution System-Connected Technologies — implements
OAR 330-140-0075: Certification of Qualifying Expenditure for Investment in Distribution System-Connected Technologies — authority
OAR 330-140-0080: Claiming a Credit Against Public Purpose Charges or Amount Charged in Rates Pursuant to ORS 757.054(4) — implements
OAR 330-140-0080: Claiming a Credit Against Public Purpose Charges or Amount Charged in Rates Pursuant to ORS 757.054(4) — authority
OAR 330-140-0110: Reporting Self-Direction Credits and Public Purpose Amounts Collected or Paid — implements
OAR 330-140-0120: Denial or Revocation of Eligibility to Participate as a Self-Directing Consumer — implements
OAR 330-140-0120: Denial or Revocation of Eligibility to Participate as a Self-Directing Consumer — authority
OAR 330-140-0130: Utility and Electricity Consumer Credits for Public Purpose Expenditures by their Energy Suppliers — implements
OAR 330-140-0140: Administrative Cost Recovery — implements
OAR 330-140-0140: Administrative Cost Recovery — authority
OAR 860-001-0000: Applicability and Waiver — implements
OAR 860-001-0000: Applicability and Waiver — authority
OAR 860-001-0010: Definitions — implements
OAR 860-001-0010: Definitions — authority
OAR 860-001-0020: Hours of Operation, Location, and Contact Information — implements
OAR 860-001-0020: Hours of Operation, Location, and Contact Information — authority
OAR 860-001-0030: Notice of Commission Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0040: Commission Publications — authority
OAR 860-001-0050: Late Fees and Penalties — implements
OAR 860-001-0050: Late Fees and Penalties — authority
OAR 860-001-0060: Public Records Requests — authority
OAR 860-001-0070: Confidential Information — authority
OAR 860-001-0080: Protective Orders — implements
OAR 860-001-0080: Protective Orders — authority
OAR 860-001-0090: Delegation of Authority to Administrative Law Judge — implements
OAR 860-001-0090: Delegation of Authority to Administrative Law Judge — authority
OAR 860-001-0100: Impartiality — implements
OAR 860-001-0100: Impartiality — authority
OAR 860-001-0110: Appeal to the Commission from Ruling of Administrative Law Judge — implements
OAR 860-001-0110: Appeal to the Commission from Ruling of Administrative Law Judge — authority
OAR 860-001-0120: Grant Eligibility (Precertification and Case Certification) — implements
OAR 860-001-0120: Grant Eligibility (Precertification and Case Certification) — authority
OAR 860-001-0130: Termination of Eligibility; Decertification — implements
OAR 860-001-0130: Termination of Eligibility; Decertification — authority
OAR 860-001-0140: General — implements
OAR 860-001-0140: General — authority
OAR 860-001-0150: Filing Dates — implements
OAR 860-001-0150: Filing Dates — authority
OAR 860-001-0160: Filing Requirements in Rulemaking Proceedings — implements
OAR 860-001-0160: Filing Requirements in Rulemaking Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0170: Filing Requirements in Contested Case and Declaratory Ruling Proceedings — implements
OAR 860-001-0170: Filing Requirements in Contested Case and Declaratory Ruling Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0180: Service in Contested Case and Declaratory Ruling Proceedings — implements
OAR 860-001-0180: Service in Contested Case and Declaratory Ruling Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0205: Information Requests in Resource Planning and Competitive Bidding — implements
OAR 860-001-0205: Information Requests in Resource Planning and Competitive Bidding — authority
OAR 860-001-0300: Practice Before the Commission — authority
OAR 860-001-0310: Representation and Ethical Conduct — authority
OAR 860-001-0320: Appearance of Attorneys; Pro Hac Vice — authority
OAR 860-001-0330: Former Employees — authority
OAR 860-001-0340: Ex Parte Communications — authority
OAR 860-001-0350: Settlements — authority
OAR 860-001-0360: Case Management Conferences — implements
OAR 860-001-0360: Case Management Conferences — authority
OAR 860-001-0390: General — authority
OAR 860-001-0400: Pleadings Requirements — implements
OAR 860-001-0400: Pleadings Requirements — authority
OAR 860-001-0410: Default upon Failure to Answer Complaint — implements
OAR 860-001-0410: Default upon Failure to Answer Complaint — authority
OAR 860-001-0420: Motions, Responses, and Replies — implements
OAR 860-001-0420: Motions, Responses, and Replies — authority
OAR 860-001-0430: Petition for Declaratory Ruling — implements
OAR 860-001-0430: Petition for Declaratory Ruling — authority
OAR 860-001-0450: Evidence — authority
OAR 860-001-0460: Official Notice — authority
OAR 860-001-0470: Resolutions — implements
OAR 860-001-0470: Resolutions — authority
OAR 860-001-0480: Testimony and Exhibits — authority
OAR 860-001-0490: Records in Other Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0500: Discovery in Contested Case Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0510: Subpoenas — implements
OAR 860-001-0520: Depositions — authority
OAR 860-001-0530: Admissions — implements
OAR 860-001-0530: Admissions — authority
OAR 860-001-0540: Data Requests — implements
OAR 860-001-0540: Data Requests — authority
OAR 860-001-0550: Joint Hearings with other Entities — implements
OAR 860-001-0550: Joint Hearings with other Entities — authority
OAR 860-001-0560: Public Meetings — authority
OAR 860-001-0570: Notice of Contested Case Hearing — authority
OAR 860-001-0580: Postponements and Continuances of Hearings — implements
OAR 860-001-0580: Postponements and Continuances of Hearings — authority
OAR 860-001-0590: Conferences — implements
OAR 860-001-0590: Conferences — authority
OAR 860-001-0600: Consolidation of Proceedings — implements
OAR 860-001-0600: Consolidation of Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0610: Failure to Appear — implements
OAR 860-001-0610: Failure to Appear — authority
OAR 860-001-0650: Legal Argument — implements
OAR 860-001-0650: Legal Argument — authority
OAR 860-001-0660: Major Proceedings — implements
OAR 860-001-0660: Major Proceedings — authority
OAR 860-001-0700: Extension or Postponement of Date to Comply with Rules and Orders — implements
OAR 860-001-0700: Extension or Postponement of Date to Comply with Rules and Orders — authority
OAR 860-001-0710: Notice of Acceptance of Terms of Orders — implements
OAR 860-001-0710: Notice of Acceptance of Terms of Orders — authority
OAR 860-001-0720: Rehearing or Reconsideration — implements
OAR 860-001-0720: Rehearing or Reconsideration — authority
OAR 860-002-0000: Applicability of Division 002 — authority
OAR 860-002-0030: Initiation of Alternative Dispute Resolution Process — authority
OAR 860-016-0005: Waiver — implements
OAR 860-016-0005: Waiver — authority
OAR 860-016-0050: Petitions for Enforcement of Interconnection Agreements — implements
OAR 860-021-0000: Applicability of Division 21 — implements
OAR 860-021-0005: Scope of the Rules — implements
OAR 860-021-0009: Applications for Utility Service from an Energy or Large Telecommunications Utility — implements
OAR 860-021-0010: Information for Utility Customers and Applicants — implements
OAR 860-021-0011: Multilingual Notices — implements
OAR 860-021-0015: Dispute Resolution — implements
OAR 860-021-0017: Designation of Third Party to Receive Notices — implements
OAR 860-021-0019: Restrictions on Entering a Customer Residence — implements
OAR 860-021-0021: Interruption of Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0037: Estimated Annual Fees Payable to the Commission — implements
OAR 860-021-0045: Installation of Electric Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0050: Installation of Gas Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0051: Main Extensions for Gas Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0055: Temporary Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0057: Connection of Residential Energy Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0120: Meter Readings and Bill Forms — implements
OAR 860-021-0125: Due and Payable Period — implements
OAR 860-021-0126: Late-Payment Charge — implements
OAR 860-021-0130: Meter Test — implements
OAR 860-021-0135: Adjustment of Utility Bills — implements
OAR 860-021-0170: Billing Error Reporting — implements
OAR 860-021-0200: Establishing Credit for Residential Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0205: Deposit Payment Arrangements for Residential Energy Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0206: Payment Arrangements for Deposit and Installation Charges for Residential Telecommunications Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0210: Interest on Deposits for Residential and Nonresidential Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0215: Refund of Deposits for Residential and Nonresidential Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0305: Grounds for Disconnecting Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0310: Voluntary Disconnection of Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0315: Emergency Disconnection of Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0320: Disconnection of Service on Weekends and Holidays — implements
OAR 860-021-0325: Accounts Not Related to Residential Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0326: Disconnection of Gas or Electric Service to Tenants — implements
OAR 860-021-0328: Reconnection of Residential Energy Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0330: Reconnection Fee for Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0334: Transfer Billings — implements
OAR 860-021-0335: Refusal of Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0405: Notice of Pending Disconnection of Residential Electric or Gas Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0406: Wildfire Displacement Protection — implements
OAR 860-021-0407: Severe Weather Moratorium on Involuntary Disconnection of Residential and Small Commercial Electric or Gas Utility Service for Nonpayment — implements
OAR 860-021-0408: Arrearage and Disconnection Reporting Rule — implements
OAR 860-021-0410: Emergency Medical Certificate for Residential Electric and Gas Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0414: Equal-Payment Plans for Residential and Small Commercial Electric and Gas Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0415: Time-Payment Agreements for Residential Electric and Gas Service (Nonmedical Certificate Customers) — implements
OAR 860-021-0420: Field Visit Charge — implements
OAR 860-021-0505: Disconnection Procedures for All Commercial Electric and Gas Utility Customers and All Customers of Large Telecommunications Utilities — implements
OAR 860-021-0510: Emergency Medical Certificate for Residential Telecommunications Utility Service — implements
OAR 860-021-0520: Energy Utility Notification of Enhanced Protections — authority
OAR 860-021-0575: Time Payment Agreements for Large Telecommunications Utilities — implements
OAR 860-022-0000: Applicability of Division 22 — implements
OAR 860-022-0001: Definitions for Utility Rates — implements
OAR 860-022-0019: General Rate Revisions — implements
OAR 860-022-0019: General Rate Revisions — authority
OAR 860-022-0026: Requests to Abandon, Exempt from Regulation, or Price-List Regulated Telecommunications Services — implements
OAR 860-022-0040: Relating to City Fees, Taxes, and Other Assessments Imposed Upon Electric Companies, Gas Utilities, and Steam Heat Utilities — implements
OAR 860-022-0046: Forced Conversion of Electric and Communication Facilities — implements
OAR 860-022-0075: Ownership of Non-Energy Attributes of Generation from Renewable Energy Facilities — implements
OAR 860-022-0500: Residential Rate Cumulative Economic Impact Analysis — authority
OAR 860-022-0550: Moratorium on Residential Rate Increases — authority
OAR 860-022-0600: Residential Rate Cost Category Disclosure — authority
OAR 860-022-0650: Annual Rate Adjustment Forecast Reporting — authority
OAR 860-023-0000: Applicability of Division 23 — implements
OAR 860-023-0001: Definitions for Service Standards — implements
OAR 860-023-0010: Use of Gas and Electric Meters — implements
OAR 860-023-0015: Testing Gas and Electric Meters — implements
OAR 860-023-0020: Quality of Electric Service — implements
OAR 860-023-0025: Purity of Gas — implements
OAR 860-023-0030: Change in Character of Service — implements
OAR 860-023-0035: Pressure Testing and Maintenance — implements
OAR 860-023-0040: Testing Equipment and Facilities — implements
OAR 860-023-0045: Heating Value — implements
OAR 860-023-0050: Heating Value Tests — Records and Reports — implements
OAR 860-023-0054: Retail Intrastate Toll Service Provider Service Standards — implements
OAR 860-024-0000: Applicability of Division 24 — implements
OAR 860-024-0001: Definitions for Safety Standards — implements
OAR 860-024-0005: Maps and Records — implements
OAR 860-024-0025: Steam Heat — Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Steam and Hot Water Transmission and Distribution Systems — implements
OAR 860-024-0050: Incident Reports — implements
OAR 860-025-0000: Applicability of Division 25 — implements
OAR 860-025-0001: Definitions for Territory Allocated to Electric Utilities, Gas Utilities, and Large Telecommunications Utilities — implements
OAR 860-025-0005: Applicability and Formal Requirements — implements
OAR 860-025-0050: Application by an Unserved Person for Service from a Large Telecommunications Utility — implements
OAR 860-026-0000: Applicability of Division 26 — implements

This rule cites

No citations extracted.

Cited by

Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.html