Office of Consumer Counsel - Montana Legislature

Consumer Counsel

The Office of Consumer Counsel is established in the Montana Constitution to advocate on behalf of the interests of consumers of regulated utilities before the Montana Public Service Commission and in select matters under the jurisdiction of federal agencies and state and federal courts.

Committee

The Legislative Consumer Committee appoints the Consumer Counsel and oversees its work representing utility consumers in regulatory and legal matters.

Our Team

Our staff includes attorneys, economists, and technical experts who analyze utility cases and represent consumer interests.

Pending Cases

Lists active cases before the Public Service Commission where the Consumer Counsel is involved.

Resources

External resources, including regulatory agencies, consumer assistance offices, and utility‑focused associations to support Montana utility consumers

  • Represent Montana consumer interests in proceedings before the Public Service Commission.
  • Represent Montana consumer interests in appropriate proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal administrative agencies.
  • Represent Montana consumer interests in appropriate state and federal court proceedings.
  • Monitor proposed legislation and participate in the legislative process before the Montana Legislature for Montana consumers.

With minor exceptions, Consumer Counsel advocacy is limited to regulated utility services.  These do not include electric cooperatives or wireless communication services, for example.  Please call our office if you are unsure about the regulated status of a particular service.

For consumer issues that are not utility-related, he Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection offers assistance regarding some.  They can be contacted at Department of Justice – Attorney General – Office of Consumer Protection

If you do have a complaint about a regulated service, it is usually a good idea to start by contacting the utility providing that service.

The Public Service Commission also has an office that will assist with unresolved utility consumer complaints.  They can be reached at 800-646-6150, or email pschelp@mt.gov.

While Consumer Counsel does not represent individual consumers, we are interested in issues that have broader applicability and that might be pursued on behalf of consumer interests generally.  We can also offer information concerning the process for pursuing individual complaints with the Public Service Commission.  The formal complaint process is detailed here.

406.444.2771

111 North Last Chance Gulch, Suite 1B
PO Box 201703
Helena, Montana 59620-1703