PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION
LEGAL AUTHORITY
Act. No. 121 of June 28, 1962,
as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Public Service Law. The Agency in charge of administering this Law is known as the Public Service Commission.
MISSION
Protects the interests of the citizens through regulation, supervision and oversight of non-governmental public service enterprises to ensure that they charge reasonable fees and provide efficient and adequate services. Reduce the number of accidents related to commercial transportation in Puerto Rico to guarantee the quality of our services to all Puerto Ricans and visitors.
VISION
Actively participate in the economic and social development of Puerto Rico. Transform the Commission into a public agency that distinguishes itself for offering efficient services and meeting its objectives.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Public Service Commission is comprised of the following organizational units:
- Excavation and Demolition Coordination
- Information Systems
- Research, Authorizations and Fixed Route Division
- Transport Safety Division
- Public Interest Lawyers Office
- Examining Lawyers Office
- Office Administration
- Internal Auditing Office
- Citizen Assistance Office
- Regional Coordination and Emergency Management Office
- Interventions, Accounting System and Rate Investigations Office
- Planning and Evaluation Office
- Regulation Preparation and Revision Office
- Human Resources
- Petroleum Derived Product Safety and Protection Office
- Strategic Systems and Procedures Office
- Legal Counsel Office
- Secretary's Office
- President's Office
- Regional Offices
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
The Public Service Commission is located at No. 50 Muoz-Rivera Avenue at the Corner of Prudencio Martinez in San Juan and has regional offices in the following municipalities: Arecibo, Bayamon, Caguas, Mayaguez, Ponce and San Juan.
PROGRAMMATIC STRUCTURE
- Adjudication of Cases and Public Service Companies Regulation
- General Management and Administration
- Supervision of Public Service Enterprises
POSITIONS FILLED
| Authorized and Proposed Positions | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Sept./08 | Sept./09 | Sept./10 | Feb./11 | Proj. | |
| |||||
| Total amount of positions | 315 | 290 | 195 | 166 | 166 |
PROGRAMS
Adjudication of Cases and Public Service Companies Regulation
Program Description
Adopts and applies regulations, considers service requests and awards franchises, rights, privileges, concessions of a public nature and expedites show cause orders. Processes Public Services Act and its regulations infractions, issues orders, summons public hearings and expedites licenses for individuals and entities that offer public services. It also, processes modifications, transfers and vehicle permits, carries out research by consultants, requests and other matters of a legal character, prepares projects to authorize applications and resolve controversies, complaints and claims. It prepares reports and orders and resolutions related to cases and requests that do not require public hearings.
Customers
People and entities that offer public services such as concessionaires and public service enterprises. Examples of these concessionaires include: public and school buses, ambulances, among others. Some service enterprises include: ground, aquatic and air transport; moving companies, public storage; and liquefied gas vendors.
Human Resources
| Authorized and Proposed Positions | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff | 17 | 13 | 19 | 19 |
| Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Other staff | 99 | 70 | 40 | 34 |
| Other Safety and Protection Staff | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Total, Positions | 127 | 100 | 73 | 65 |
General Management and Administration
Program Description
Supports the Agency's operational activities. In addition, it counsels the Commission about the implementation of public policy and the setting of goals, objectives, regulations and directives for the adequate planning of activities in order to attain better oversight and improve the quality of public services.
Customers
The Agency's operational programs
Human Resources
| Authorized and Proposed Positions | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff | 31 | 32 | 15 | 13 |
| Total, Positions | 31 | 32 | 15 | 13 |
Supervision of Public Service Enterprises
Program Description
Monitors, inspects and investigates all activities conducted by non-governmental enterprises that provide services in Puerto Rico. Examples include: ground transportation, liquefied gas and cargo movers (including moving companies and public storage), oil pipelines, contract carriers, transportation carriers and aggregated trucking haulers or analogous material for commercial or industrial purposes.
Oversees and recommends accounting systems for businesses. It suggests modifications to existing regulations or the promulgation of new regulations and enforces them. Recommends tariff modifications. Inspects the physical condition of vehicles dedicated to public transportation. It investigates complaints that are presented by citizens and concessionaires. It offers preventive vigilance to avoid possible infractions. All those functions are channeled through the six regional offices.
| Statistical Data | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| ||||
| Customers served | 83,227 | 85,000 | 85,000 | |
Customers
Public and private service enterprises
Human Resources
| Authorized and Proposed Positions | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Other staff | 150 | 151 | 101 | 82 |
| Total, Positions | 157 | 158 | 107 | 88 |
FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 ADOPTED BUDGET
The adopted consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 is $8,280,000. The funding includes $6,508,000 from the Joint Resolution of the General Fund, $952,000 from Special State Funds and $820,000 in Federal Grants.
Operational Expenses reflect a decrease of $1,367,000 in comparison with the funding assigned in Fiscal Year 2010-2011. This is due to a reduction in payroll costs resulting from the implementation of an employee retirement program and other cost control measures.
The Joint Resolution of the General Funds will allow the Public Service Commission to take care of its operational expenses, continue its efforts to save funds and oversee non-governmental public service enterprises.
State Special Funds are generated from royalties and passenger transport businesses fees, tariffs, administrative processing, excavation and demolition warnings, and training of concessionaires. The observed reduction in this income corresponds to the decrease in franchises.
Contributing federal programs include: The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program and The Pipeline Safety Grant Program. This Program will permit the regulation and oversight of transportation safety for all commercial vehicles on the island. The Pipeline Safety Grant Program covers 80% of the natural year's expenses by reimbursements and One Call that has a 100% allocation for safety education expenses. An increase of $53,000 in federal funds is estimated.
SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES
| Consolidated Budget (thousands $) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| ||||
| Program | ||||
| Operational Expenses | Actual | Actual | Budget | Adopted |
| Adjudication of Cases and Public Service Companies Regulation | 7,098 | 5,274 | 4,802 | 4,181 |
| General Management and Administration | 1,981 | 1,380 | 1,385 | 1,211 |
| Supervision of Public Service Enterprises | 4,945 | 4,388 | 3,460 | 2,888 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 14,024 | 11,042 | 9,647 | 8,280 |
| Total, Program | 14,024 | 11,042 | 9,647 | 8,280 |
| Funding Sources | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Joint Resolution - General Fund | 11,252 | 3,141 | 2,382 | 6,508 |
| Federal Grants | 790 | 718 | 767 | 820 |
| State Special Funds | 1,982 | 1,555 | 1,003 | 952 |
| Local Stabilization Fund | 0 | 5,628 | 5,495 | 0 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 14,024 | 11,042 | 9,647 | 8,280 |
| Total, Funding Sources | 14,024 | 11,042 | 9,647 | 8,280 |
| Expense Category | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Payroll and Related Expenses | 10,453 | 9,699 | 6,900 | 5,732 |
| Rent and Utilities | 558 | 320 | 732 | 795 |
| Purchased Services | 1,353 | 715 | 1,388 | 1,350 |
| Transportation Expenses | 99 | 35 | 109 | 81 |
| Professional Services | 193 | 50 | 160 | 52 |
| Other Expenses | 257 | 122 | 212 | 131 |
| Non Distributed Allocations | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Previous Years Debt Payments | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Purchases | 861 | 20 | 6 | 33 |
| Office Supplies and other Materials | 215 | 42 | 125 | 72 |
| Advertising and Media Expenses | 23 | 29 | 15 | 34 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 14,024 | 11,042 | 9,647 | 8,280 |
| Total, Expense Category | 14,024 | 11,042 | 9,647 | 8,280 |
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES BY PROGRAM
Adjudication of Cases and Public Service Companies Regulation
| Budget (thousands $) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| ||||
| Funding Sources | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Federal Grants | 732 | 718 | 767 | 820 |
| Joint Resolution - General Fund | 4,953 | 1,429 | 1,378 | 2,774 |
| Local Stabilization Fund | 0 | 2,037 | 2,121 | 0 |
| State Special Funds | 1,413 | 1,090 | 536 | 587 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 7,098 | 5,274 | 4,802 | 4,181 |
| Total, Funding Sources | 7,098 | 5,274 | 4,802 | 4,181 |
| Expense Category | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Payroll and Related Expenses | 4,537 | 4,203 | 2,901 | 2,352 |
| Rent and Utilities | 129 | 162 | 133 | 160 |
| Purchased Services | 1,169 | 639 | 1,199 | 1,288 |
| Transportation Expenses | 51 | 24 | 71 | 69 |
| Professional Services | 183 | 33 | 160 | 52 |
| Other Expenses | 245 | 122 | 212 | 131 |
| Previous Years Debt Payments | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Purchases | 627 | 20 | 6 | 33 |
| Office Supplies and other Materials | 134 | 39 | 105 | 62 |
| Advertising and Media Expenses | 23 | 22 | 15 | 34 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 7,098 | 5,274 | 4,802 | 4,181 |
| Total, Expense Category | 7,098 | 5,274 | 4,802 | 4,181 |
General Management and Administration
| Budget (thousands $) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| ||||
| Funding Sources | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Joint Resolution - General Fund | 1,848 | 417 | 500 | 1,211 |
| Local Stabilization Fund | 0 | 934 | 718 | 0 |
| State Special Funds | 133 | 29 | 167 | 0 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 1,981 | 1,380 | 1,385 | 1,211 |
| Total, Funding Sources | 1,981 | 1,380 | 1,385 | 1,211 |
| Expense Category | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Payroll and Related Expenses | 1,295 | 1,178 | 798 | 695 |
| Rent and Utilities | 332 | 155 | 453 | 488 |
| Purchased Services | 144 | 47 | 134 | 28 |
| Transportation Expenses | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non Distributed Allocations | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Purchases | 179 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Office Supplies and other Materials | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 1,981 | 1,380 | 1,385 | 1,211 |
| Total, Expense Category | 1,981 | 1,380 | 1,385 | 1,211 |
Supervision of Public Service Enterprises
| Budget (thousands $) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| ||||
| Funding Sources | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Federal Grants | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joint Resolution - General Fund | 4,451 | 1,295 | 504 | 2,523 |
| Local Stabilization Fund | 0 | 2,657 | 2,656 | 0 |
| State Special Funds | 436 | 436 | 300 | 365 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 4,945 | 4,388 | 3,460 | 2,888 |
| Total, Funding Sources | 4,945 | 4,388 | 3,460 | 2,888 |
| Expense Category | ||||
| Operational Expenses | ||||
| Payroll and Related Expenses | 4,621 | 4,318 | 3,201 | 2,685 |
| Rent and Utilities | 97 | 3 | 146 | 147 |
| Purchased Services | 40 | 29 | 55 | 34 |
| Transportation Expenses | 38 | 11 | 38 | 12 |
| Professional Services | 10 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Expenses | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Purchases | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Office Supplies and other Materials | 72 | 3 | 20 | 10 |
| Advertising and Media Expenses | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Subtotal, Operational Expenses | 4,945 | 4,388 | 3,460 | 2,888 |
| Total, Expense Category | 4,945 | 4,388 | 3,460 | 2,888 |