Section 54-10a-301 - Powers and duties of office(1) The office shall: (a) assess the impact of utility rate changes and other regulatory actions related to an applicable public utility on:(i) residential consumers; and(ii) small commercial consumers;(b) assist a residential consumer or a small commercial consumer in appearing before the commission; and(c) through its director, advocate, on the office's own behalf and in its own name, a position most advantageous to:(i) residential consumers; and(ii) small commercial consumers.(2)(a) The director may bring an original action in the name of the office before:(ii) a court having appellate jurisdiction over an order or decision of the commission.(b) The director on behalf of the office may:(i) commence an original proceeding, file a complaint, appear as a party, appeal, or otherwise represent residential consumers or small commercial consumers in a matter or a proceeding involving regulation of an applicable public utility pending before one or more of the following of the federal government: (A) an officer, department, board, agency, commission, or governmental authority; or(ii) intervene in, protest, resist, or advocate the granting, denial, or modification of a petition, application, complaint, or other proceeding, decision, or order of a governmental authority of the federal government.Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 237, 2009 General Session.