16 U.S.C. § 824h : US Code - Section 824H: References to State boards by Commission

Search 16 U.S.C. § 824h : US Code - Section 824H: References to State boards by Commission

(a) Composition of boards; force and effect of proceedings
The Commission may refer any matter arising in the administration
of this subchapter to a board to be composed of a member or
members, as determined by the Commission, from the State or each of
the States affected or to be affected by such matter. Any such
board shall be vested with the same power and be subject to the
same duties and liabilities as in the case of a member of the
Commission when designated by the Commission to hold any hearings.
The action of such board shall have such force and effect and its
proceedings shall be conducted in such manner as the Commission
shall by regulations prescribe. The board shall be appointed by the
Commission from persons nominated by the State commission of each
State affected or by the Governor of such State if there is no
State commission. Each State affected shall be entitled to the same
number of representatives on the board unless the nominating power
of such State waives such right. The Commission shall have
discretion to reject the nominee from any State, but shall
thereupon invite a new nomination from that State. The members of a
board shall receive such allowances for expenses as the Commission
shall provide. The Commission may, when in its discretion
sufficient reason exists therefor, revoke any reference to such a
board.
(b) Cooperation with State commissions
The Commission may confer with any State commission regarding the
relationship between rate structures, costs, accounts, charges,
practices, classifications, and regulations of public utilities
subject to the jurisdiction of such State commission and of the
Commission; and the Commission is authorized, under such rules and
regulations as it shall prescribe, to hold joint hearings with any
State commission in connection with any matter with respect to
which the Commission is authorized to act. The Commission is
authorized in the administration of this chapter to avail itself of
such cooperation, services, records, and facilities as may be
afforded by any State commission.
(c) Availability of information and reports to State commissions;
Commission experts
The Commission shall make available to the several State
commissions such information and reports as may be of assistance in
State regulation of public utilities. Whenever the Commission can
do so without prejudice to the efficient and proper conduct of its
affairs, it may upon request from a State make available to such
State as witnesses any of its trained rate, valuation, or other
experts, subject to reimbursement to the Commission by such State
of the compensation and traveling expenses of such witnesses. All
sums collected hereunder shall be credited to the appropriation
from which the amounts were expended in carrying out the provisions
of this subsection.