The Department of Public Utilities regulates all gas, water, electric, cable, and telephone utilities. The Department plays a key role in guaranteeing that all Massachusetts businesses and citizens pay fair and equitable utility rates. The Transportation Division, located within the Department, regulates railway and motor vehicles that carry passengers for hire, licenses interstate commercial vehicles, investigates complaints, and conducts hearings.

Budget Recommendations

The amount recommended for Fiscal Year 1998 will enable the Department to provide the same level of service as in Fiscal Year 1997.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
7006-0070	For the operation and administration of the department of public utilities; provided, that notwithstanding the provisions of the second sentence of the first paragraph of section eighteen of chapter twenty-five of the General Laws, the assessments levied pursuant to said first paragraph of said section for fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-eight shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce three million nine hundred twenty-one thousand three hundred eighteen dollars	3,921,318

TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
7006-0080	For the operation and administration of the transportation division	606,420

Trust and Other Spending

9271-9003

ASSESSMENTS ON UTILITY COMPANIES

499,346

9271-9004

FUEL CHARGE BUREAU ASSESSMENT

693,739

9271-9010

RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION SERVICE

187,868

9271-9011

INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SECTION

1,047,901