42 U.S.C. § 6805 : US Code - Section 6805: Grants for State consumer protection offices by Secretary

Search 42 U.S.C. § 6805 : US Code - Section 6805: Grants for State consumer protection offices by Secretary

(a) Establishment, operation, and purpose; qualifications for funds
The Secretary may make grants to States, or otherwise as provided
in subsection (c) of this section, under this section to provide
for the establishment and operation of offices of consumer services
to assist consumers in their presentations before utility
regulatory commissions. Any assistance provided under this section
shall be provided only for an office of consumer services which is
operated independently of any such utility regulatory commission
and which is empowered to -
(1) make general factual assessments of the impact of proposed
rate changes and other proposed regulatory actions upon all
affected consumers;
(2) assist consumers in the presentation of their positions
before utility regulatory commissions; and
(3) advocate, on its own behalf, a position which it determines
represents the position most advantageous to consumers, taking
into account developments in rate design reform.
(b) Grants subject to State assurances on funds
Grants pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be made
only to States which furnish such assurances as the Secretary may
require that funds made available under such section will be in
addition to, and not in substitution for, funds made available to
offices of consumer services from other sources.
(c) Offices established by Tennessee Valley Authority
Assistance may be provided under this section to an office of
consumer services established by the Tennessee Valley Authority, if
such office is operated independently of the Tennessee Valley
Authority.