1. (1) The office shall:

   1. (a) assess the impact of utility rate changes and other regulatory actions related to an applicable public utility on:

      1. (i) residential consumers; and
      2. (ii) small commercial consumers;
   2. (b) assist a residential consumer or a small commercial consumer in appearing before the commission; and

   3. (c) through its director, advocate, on the office's own behalf and in its own name, a position most advantageous to:

      1. (i) residential consumers; and
      2. (ii) small commercial consumers.

2. (2)

   1. (a) The director may bring an original action in the name of the office before:

      1. (i) the commission; or
      2. (ii) a court having appellate jurisdiction over an order or decision of the commission.

   2. (b) The director on behalf of the office may:

      1. (i) commence an original proceeding, file a complaint, appear as a party, appeal, or otherwise represent residential consumers or small commercial consumers in a matter or a proceeding involving regulation of an applicable public utility pending before one or more of the following of the federal government:

         1. (A) an officer, department, board, agency, commission, or governmental authority; or
         2. (B) a court; or
      2. (ii) intervene in, protest, resist, or advocate the granting, denial, or modification of a petition, application, complaint, or other proceeding, decision, or order of a governmental authority of the federal government.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 237, 2009 General Session