The engineer in public utilities regulation

Many years ago the need for public regulation of public utilities was recognized. As these natural monopolies increased in number and in scope, regulatory powers, which at first were exercised by legislative bodies, gradually were delegated to specially appointed commissions until now there are about 50 such bodies in the United States. Engineers employed by these commissions should have not only a technical education, but also a knowledge of construction, operating, accounting, and commercial problems and procedures.