The Department of Telecommunications and Energy (formerly 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. The Cable Division, (formerly the Community Antenna Television Commission) regulates cable television rates and monitors cable operators to ensure operating compliance with consumer protection laws, as well as other state and federal regulations.

Objectives

The Electric Industry Restructuring Act, which was signed in November of 1997, allows consumers to purchase electrical services competitively and will provide them with at least a 10% rate reduction. This act imposes new duties and obligations upon the Department. In Fiscal Year 1999 the Department will:

• conduct financial audits of each utility in the Commonwealth by December 31, 1998;
• review energy efficiency plans of electric suppliers; and
• develop rules and regulations to implement the Electric Industry Restructuring Act.

Budget Recommendations

The amount recommended for Fiscal Year 1999 includes an additional $2.9 million to enable the Department to implement the provisions of the Electric Industry Restructuring Act.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ENERGY OPERATIONS
7006-0070	For the operation of the department of telecommunications and energy, including the community antenna television division; provided, that notwithstanding the provisions of the second sentence of the first paragraph of section 18 of chapter 25 of the General Laws, as amended by section 37 of chapter 164 of the acts of 1997, the assessments levied pursuant to said statute for fiscal year 1999 shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce $8,608,293	8,608,293

DTE TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
7006-0080	For the operation of the transportation division	646,910

Budgetary Retained Revenues

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING COMMISSION
7006-0090	The department of telecommunications and energy is hereby authorized to expend for the operation of the energy facilities siting commission an amount not to exceed $121,097 in revenues from application fees collected from utility companies	121,097

Trust and Other Spending

9271-9003

ASSESSMENTS ON UTILITY COMPANIES

499,131

9271-9004

FUEL CHARGE BUREAU ASSESSMENT

767,084

9271-9010

RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION SERVICE

210,321

9271-9011

INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SECTION

1,048,000