(a) Establishment of other bureaus, offices and positions.--In addition to the specific bureaus established in this part, the commission may establish other bureaus, offices and positions to perform the following functions:

(1) Review and provide advice regarding applications, petitions, tariff filings and other matters filed with the commission.

(2) Provide advice, review exceptions and prepare orders regarding matters to be adjudicated.

(3) Conduct financial reviews, earnings analyses and other financial studies.

(4) Conduct economic research, forecasting, energy conservation studies, cost studies and other economic studies related to public utilities.

(5) Monitor industry markets to detect anticompetitive, discriminatory or other unlawful conduct.

(6) Insure adequate maintenance, safety and reliability of utility networks.

(7) Insure adequate service quality, efficiency and availability at just and reasonable rates.

(8) Conduct financial, management, operational and special audits.

(9) Provide consumer information, consumer protection and informal resolution of complaints.

(10) Insure adequate safety, insurance, fitness and other requirements relevant to transportation utilities.

(11) Take appropriate enforcement actions, including rate proceedings, service proceedings and application proceedings, necessary to insure compliance with this title, commission regulations and orders.

(12) Perform other functions the commission deems necessary for the proper work of the commission.

(b) Prohibition on commingling of functions.--A commission employee engaged in a prosecutory function may not, in that matter or a factually related matter, provide advice or assistance to a commission employee performing an advisory function as to that matter.

(Oct. 15, 2008, P.L.1592, No.129, eff. 30 days; Feb. 14, 2012, P.L.72, No.11, eff. 60 days)

2012 Amendment. Act 11 amended subsec. (a)(11).

2008 Amendment. Act 129 added section 308.2.