Opinion ID: 1427111
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: public utilities law read as a whole

Text: UP & L contends that because there is no express language in the Public Utilities Law specifically declaring that the stay and bond procedures are the manner by which relief may be obtained from allegedly invalid PUC orders, such should not be considered as exclusive to other means  in this case the allowance of a surcharge. Although there is no express language, it is readily seen that the Public Utilities Law itself neither provides nor suggests any alternatives. It has been firmly established that the PUC has no authority not given it by statute. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has no authority other than that given to it by the legislature. It exercises a limited jurisdiction and nothing is presumed in favor of its jurisdiction. United States v. Utah Power & Light Co., 98 Idaho 665, 570 P.2d 1353 (1977); Lemhi Tel. Co. v. Mountain States Tel. & Tel. Co., 98 Idaho 692, 571 P.2d 753 (1977); Arrow Transp. Co. v. Idaho Public Utilities Comm'n, 85 Idaho 307, 379 P.2d 422 (1963). As a general rule, administrative authorities are tribunals of limited jurisdiction and their jurisdiction is dependent entirely upon the statutes reposing power in them and they cannot confer it upon themselves, although they may determine whether they have it. If the provisions of the statutes are not met and compliance is not had with the statutes, no jurisdiction exists. Washington Water Power Co. v. Kootenai Environmental Alliance, 99 Idaho 875, 879, 591 P.2d 122, 126 (1979).