Concluding Observations

The regulatory process is the means by which the public regulates the government and the regulator, and by which the government regulates the regulator. By participating in and observing the regulatory process, insisting on the development of and enforcement of codes of conduct, and constraining regulatory discretion through laws, contracts, and appeals the public seeks to ensure that when the government addresses asymmetries between itself and the operator, that asymmetries between the public’s knowledge and objectives and the government’s knowledge and objectives do not frustrate the development of effective and efficient utility services.

By participating in and observing the regulatory process, constraining regulatory discretion through laws and appeals, and insisting on the development of and enforcement of codes of conduct, the public seeks to ensure that the government addresses asymmetries between itself and the operator. Transparency and public communication reduce the likelihood that asymmetries between the public’s knowledge and objectives and the government’s knowledge and objectives will frustrate the development of effective and efficient utility services. World class regulatory commissions utilize in-house training and other techniques for capacity building. A number of resources that can be utilized for capacity building are available from regional regulatory associations and universities.