Court Opinion

ID: 9739807
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:21:10.721054+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:14.010994
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion.
Pfaff, J.
A mature reflection on the jurisdictional questions involved in this appeal compels me to dissent from the holding of the majority opinion herein.
I am convinced that this appeal is premature for the reason that in my opinion the Public Service Commission has not rendered any final order or determination upon which this attempted appeal for review can be predicated. I am also convinced that under the particular allegations in the appellees’ petition relied upon by the Commission and mentioned *311in the main opinion, the Commission had and correctly-entertained jurisdiction to determine the truth of the appellees’ charge that the appellant Utility was furnishing gas to consumers in Greene County, Indiana, without any authority or power so to do. If the said appellant was actually doing and carrying on the furnishing of gas as alleged in the petition, the Public Service Commission, which is charged with the duty of regulating utilities being consumed and used by the general public, may have considered that the appellant was engaged in competition with other public utilities furnishing gas to consumers in that area without control or regulation over the practices, rates, etc., of appellant. I think the Commission has not only the jurisdiction, but an absolute duty to the citizens of this state to investigate such matters and prevent unfair and unregulated competitive practices.
I would remand this cause to the Public Service Commission with instructions for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.
Motion to Dismiss.