The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is an independent regulatory agency dedicated to serving the public interest. The agency is responsible for the regulation of Wisconsin public utilities, including those that are municipally-owned, since 1907. The utilities that the Commission regulates include electric, natural gas, water, combined water and sewer utilities, and certain aspects of local telephone service. More than 1,100 utilities are under the agency's jurisdiction. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin works to ensure that, in the absence of competition, adequate and reasonably priced service is provided to all utility customers. The Commission’s approval is required before utilities can change rates or build large power plant and major transmission lines. The Commission is composed of three full-time Commissioners that have oversight of all Public Service Commission of Wisconsin staff related activities, as well as making all determinations and decisions that are brought before the Commission. Staff at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin consists of auditors, accountants, engineers, rate analysts, attorneys, planners, research analysts, economists, consumer analysts, consumer specialists, court reporters and paraprofessional and administrative support personnel. These experts work in an advisory role to the Commissioners to enhance their understanding of each and every issue in front of the Commission and help them make appropriate decisions on behalf of the ratepayers of Wisconsin.