The Joint Subcommittee Studying the Feasibility of Granting the State Corporation Commission Additional. Management Overview Responsibilities and Powers to Facilitate the Regulation of Public Utilities was established pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 56 of 1978.

House Joint Resolution No. 294 of the 1979 General Assembly continued the work of the subcommittee.

During its two years in existence, the subcommittee held several meetings and heard testimony from various interested parties. In particular, representatives of the State Corporation Commission worked closely with the study group.

At the end of 1978 the subcommittee adopted the following recommendations:

(1) The State Corporation Commission should examine the administrative framework of the divisions of the Commission concerned with the regulation of public utilities. The subcommittee requests that the Commission examine whether an administrative link of some type should be established to coordinate the work of the divisions.

In particular, the subcommittee recommends that the Commission appoint a qualified individual to act as head of those divisions which are involved "in public utility regulation. The subcommittee believes the person chosen by the Commission should be knowledgeable in engineering matters, should have expertise concerning utility rates, and should possess proven management skills.

(2) The subcommittee urges the Commission to take a more active role in matters before federal agencies.

(3) The study group believes the Commission should carefully consider whether improvement is necessary regarding the internal capability of the Commission to investigate construction projects of the Commonwealth's public utilities.

(4) The subcommittee recommends that the Commission study the present ratemaking process and determine what changes, if any, might improve the process.

(5) The study should be continued for another year, so the subcommittee can analyze in more detail the areas of concern previously mentioned, as well as any other areas it determines are in need of legislative scrutiny.