The Montana Public Service Commission regulates many utilities that are essential to modern day life. This guide outlines what the PSC can help with when it comes to your electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, telephone, garbage hauling, and transportation services.
Consumer Assistance staff are available at (800) 646-6150 or by submitting an online Request For Assistance. The PSC’s experienced staff will help you with matters under our jurisdiction, and guide you in the appropriate direction to address those matters not within PSC authority.
ELECTRIC
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| Call the PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Private or Investor-owned electric companies
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- Reliability of the electric service
- Quality of service
- New service requests
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- Municipally-owned electric utilities
- Cooperative electric utilities
- Electrical wiring inside customer's home
- Physical placement or relocation of utility poles
- Cost of construction
- Damage claims
- Easements
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NATURAL GAS
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| Call the PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Private or investor-owned natural gas companies
- Underground propane distribution
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- Reliability of the natural gas service
- Pipeline safety oversight
- Damage prevention—Call Before You Dig
- Quality of service
- New service requests
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- Deliverable fuels (heating oil, propane, wood)
- House piping
- Gas pipeline siting
- Cost of construction
- Damage claims
- Easements
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WATER/ SEWER
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| Call the PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Private or Investor-owned water and sewer companies
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- New service requests
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- Municipally owned water and sewer companies
- County water and sewer districts
- Homeowners’ association water and sewer user groups
- Damage claims
- Easements
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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| Call the PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Local service providers—landline telephone only
- In-state long distance telephone services
- Network wiring up to the network interface device (box on home or building)
- Unauthorized change of carrier (slamming)
- Unauthorized charges (cramming)
- Billing problems
- Quality of service
- Number portability
- Pay phone price disclosure
- Operator service provider intrastate rates and service
- New service requests
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- Cooperative telecommunication companies
- Inside wiring
- Wireless/cellular services, except slamming and cramming
- Interstate or international telephone services
- Charges for pay per call—900 numbers
- Directory advertising
- Solicitation calls
- Easements
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INTERNET/ TV SERVICES
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| The PSC Does Not Regulate |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
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- Internet service
- Cable TV
- Satellite TV
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GARBAGE HAULING
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| Call The PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Privately-owned solid waste companies in the state of Montana, not operating under a city contract
- Dumpsters and rolloffs
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- Municipally-owned solid waste
- Recycling
- Self-haul locations, such as garbage drop boxes and waste and recovery centers
- Rates and charges
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MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS
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| Call The PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Intrastate passenger transportation (Shuttle Service - Fixed Route/Fixed Rate, Ridesharing/App-based companies)
- Rates and Charges for Shuttle Services
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- Interstate passenger transportation
- Taxi Services (Not App-based)
- Any type of passenger transportaion designed to carry more than 26 passengers
- Rates and Charges for Ridesharing/App-based companies
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RAILROADS
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| Call The PSC |
The PSC Does Not Regulate |
- Blocked public railroad crossings
- Fencing on railroad property
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- Blocked private railroad crossing
- Railroad whistles and idling engines
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