Massachusetts. Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners

The Board of Gas Commissioners, established in 1888, was renamed the Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners in 1889. That body was abolished in 1919, when its functions were combined with those of the Public Service Commission in the Department of Public Utilities.

From the description of Annual reports, 1894-1919. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122575257

The Board of Gas Commissioners, established in 1885, was renamed Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners in 1889. That body was abolished in 1919, when its functions were combined with those of the Public Service Commission in the Dept. of Public Utilities.

From the description of Minutes, 1885-1919. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84429636

From the description of Electric generating plant compliance statements, 1888-1904. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78783353

From the description of Reports of hearings, 1893-1919. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82481552

From the description of Transcripts of testimony and exhibits relating to suit involving the Haverhill Gas Light Company, 1913. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 80225679

St 1885, c 314 authorized the governor to appoint a three-member Board of Gas Commissioners to have general supervision of all corporations involved in manufacturing or selling gas for lighting or fuel. Their responsibilities included the power to inspect gas companies to ensure compliance with the law, to regulate gas purity, to inspect gas company accounts, and to investigate and act on complaints regarding gas quality or price. Gas companies were required to make annual returns of their finances to the board. The board was authorized to request information and assistance from the inspector of gas meters and illuminating gas, a gubernatorial appointment mandated by St 1861, c 168.

St 1887, c 382 extended the board's purview to companies engaged in the manufacture and sale of electric light; per St 1887, c 385 such companies were allowed to include those already making and selling gas. To reflect this enlarged responsibility, St 1889, c 373 changed the body's name to Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners. St 1914, c 787 further extended the board's supervisory powers to all corporations and companies engaged in the distribution and sale of water.

In the meanwhile, increasing regulatory powers of the board, codified by St 1914, c 742, were extended over the following: form of gas and electric company accounts (St 1886, c 346; St 1887, c 382); price of gas (St 1888, c 350); municipal gas and electric companies (St 1891, c 370); inspection of gas meters and illuminating gas (St 1902, c 228); consolidation of gas and electric companies (St 1908, c 529); and accounts of trustees of voluntary associations and trusts (and affiliated companies) involved in the sale and manufacture of gas and electricity (St 1913, c 509)

Per St 1919, c 350, s 119, the Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners was abolished and its functions were combined with those of the Public Service Commission to become the Dept.of Public Utilities, under the control of the Public Utilities Commission.

NAME AUTHORITY NOTE. Series relating to the agencies described above can be found by searching the following access points for the time period stated: 1885-1889--Massachusetts. Board of Gas Commissioners; 1889-1919--Massachusetts. Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145429864