Organizational Structure

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for all legal issues involving the day-to-day operations of the Commission, as well as a broad spectrum of issues that relate to the Commission's regulatory responsibilities. OGC represents and advises the Commission on all actions and proceedings set forth in the enabling statute or any other legislation. The staff of attorneys prepare orders, advisory memoranda, and assist the Commissioners in conducting all proceedings of the Commission.

Effective November 15, 2004, the Commission reestablished the Executive Director position that had been in place for 20 years (1980-2000). With the filling of the Deputy Executive Director for Administration position on January 9, 2006, the two Deputy Executive Directors report to the Executive Director. The Chief of Human Resources and the Director of Consumer Services also report to the Executive Director. The Executive Director is also responsible for all strategic planning initiatives and the program side of the agency’s budget and financial management.

The Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Matters heads the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis (OTRA), which advises the Commissioners on accounting, economic, engineering, and financial issues in formal cases that are before the Commission. In addition, OTRA staff monitors electric, natural gas, and local telecommunications markets at the retail and wholesale levels. This includes keeping abreast of energy and telecommunications activities at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). OTRA also conducts compliance reviews and audits and manages formal cases and investigations. Staff conducts annual surveys to gauge the status of local competition in the District.

OTRA is sub-divided into 4 technical offices - Office of Economics, Office of Accounting & Finance, Office of Infrastructure and System Planning, and Office of Compliance and Enforcement. The new Office of Infrastructure and System Planning provides infrastructure, system planning and engineering expertise in support of the Commission's regulatory activities relative to natural gas, electric and local telecommunications services, including above ground and underground infrastructure and systems for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, natural gas and local telecommunications. The new Office of Compliance and Enforcement provides compliance and enforcement activities and engineering projects and ensures compliance by electric, gas, and telecommunications service providers with all federal and District of Columbia laws, rules and regulations governing gas, electric, and telecommunications service in the District. This office also administers the federally funded Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Program, and educates Commissioners, staff, and the public, directly and through the website and outreach activities, on current and emerging issues. Finally, the Commission's payphone inspection program has been moved from the Office of Consumer Services to the Office of Compliance and Enforcement.

Effective January 9, 2006, the Deputy Executive Director for Administration is responsible for contracting and procurement, information technology, and facility management. The Commission Secretary also reports to the Deputy Executive Director for Administration.

The Office of the Commission Secretary is responsible for maintaining the official files of the Commission. Thus, the office serves as the custodian of the official files and documents and as the filing and distribution point for the public's access to Commission filings, orders, and other documents.

The Office of Consumer Services (OCS) serves as the public relations arm for the Commission and is responsible for the day-to-day activities of two programs: <

1). Mediation of utility company complaints and inquiries; and
2). Public and community outreach programs to help consumers make informed choices in the competitive era.

OCS provides complaint and informational services to utility consumers, informs the Commission of local and national consumer-related trends and provides the Commission with information on how well the utility companies serve their customers. OCS assists the public with the resolution of complaints involving electric, natural gas and telecommunications services. OCS also educates and informs the community concerning their choices.

The office develops, implements and administers the budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and auditing systems as mandated by the District's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. These responsibilities are carried out in collaboration with the management directives of the Commission's Chairperson and the Commissioners.

The Office of Human Resources provides human resource services to the Commission so that it can recruit, hire, manage, train, re-train, retain, and motivate a qualified and diverse workforce. The office also facilitates employee training and development to help increase productivity, enhance workforce skills, and improve the Commission's internal capabilities and performance.