Utilities, PSC failing on public reports

From an editorial in the Appleton Post-Crescent:

Utilities in Wisconsin are supposed to file a report with the Public Service Commission that lists problems with their meters and their billings. If they overcharge or backcharge someone, it's supposed to be in the report.

But the vast majority of the utilities don't file the report — and the PSC doesn't seem to care that much about it. Both are a problem for the public.

A Post-Crescent analysis found that 68 of the 94 utilities didn't file a report, as required by state regulations, by the April 1 deadline.

As Charlie Higley of the Citizens Utility Board, a consumer advocacy group, said, the public is supposed to have access to that information.

"Regulated companies don't face competition," he said. "And so, in order to make up for that, they are imposed on to prepare reports providing some indication of the level of service they are providing. These reports could indicate whether they are providing good service or not."

So it's wrong that most utilities aren't doing what they're supposed to do. But the PSC, which is supposed to be looking out for the public, isn't helping with its apathy.