The People's Counsel represents the interest of residential and noncommercial users of gas, electric, telephone, sewer, water, and regulated transportation services. Before the Public Service Commission and the courts, the People's Counsel appears on behalf of those users in all matters or proceedings over which the Commission has original jurisdiction and in which the People's Counsel deems their interest to be involved. The People's Counsel may appear before any federal or State agency to protect those interests of residential or noncommercial consumers. Operating independently of the Public Service Commission, the People's Counsel may participate in all proceedings before the Commission, and may use Commission staff and retain expert witnesses to testify before the Commission.
Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the People's Counsel must be an attorney-at-law of the State (Code Public Utility Companies Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-206).
© Copyright April 10, 2001 Maryland State Archives