The Commission regulates investor-owned or privately-owned utilities that provide gas, water, electricity or some telephone services for profit. Examples are: Idaho Power, Intermountain Gas and United Water Idaho. The Commission no longer has rate-setting authority over most telephone service providers, including Qwest. It does, however, regulate landline providers for service quality, billing, and customer relations. In addition to rates, billing issues, quality of service and customer relations, the Commission is also responsible for safe operations of the utilities it regulates including inspection of gas pipelines.

The Commission oversees the safe operation of railroads and enforces state and federal regulations safeguarding the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. It also inspects railroad crossings for safety and maintenance. The Commission reviews railroad abandonment proposals.

The Commission does NOT regulate utility cooperatives (owned by the customers) or utilities operated by cities. The Commission has no jurisdiction over sewer operations, cable or satellite television, Internet service providers or cellular telephone companies.

- Idaho Public Service Commission