The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates the state's electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implements respective legislation, and provides customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.
Intervenors are people directly affected by a particular issue or action and are full and active participants in a proceeding at the PUCT. Intervenors can make legal arguments, conduct discovery, file testimony, cross-examine witnesses. If an intervenor testifies, they can be cross-examined by the other parties in the case. To become an intervenor, submit a written request explaining why you have a legal interest in the proceeding. You can submit the request online using the interchange filer.
Protestors can submit comments that are entered into the official record of the proceeding. These comments are publicly available and can be read by the PUCT commissioners, PUCT staff, and other people following the proceeding. These comments help inform the PUCT and its staff of the public concerns and to identify issues to be explored. The PUCT welcomes and encourages such participation in its proceedings. To submit comments, use the interchange filer to upload them.
Meetings of the PUCT Commissioners are open to the public. They are broadcast online.
If you would like to speak in front of the commission on a contested case, like a rate case, enforcement, CCN, or an open formal complaint, you need to request oral argument in advance of the open meeting. This gives all the other groups participating in that case a chance to prepare and speak. If you have not requested oral argument or that request has been denied, you will not be recognized to address the commission. Instead, you can submit your comments in the PUCT Interchange under the relevant docket number.
If you would like to speak on another issue, you can sign up to make public comment at a PUCT Open Meeting. You must sign up in-person before the start of the Open Meeting. PUCT staff are on hand to help you sign in.