The Vermont Public Service Department (PSD) is an agency within the executive branch of Vermont state government. Its charge is to represent the public interest in matters regarding energy, telecommunications, water and wastewater. The Department carries out this charge by:

• Representing the public interest in utility cases before the Public Service Board, federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts
• Providing long range planning for the state's energy and telecommunications needs through the Vermont Electric Plan, the Comprehensive Energy Plan, and the Vermont Telecommunications Plan
• Facilitating broadband expansion
• Promoting energy efficiency
• Administering federal energy programs
• Resolving utility customer complaints
• Informing the public about utility-related matters
• Making and administering contracts for the purchase of power on behalf of the state

As the public's advocate, the Department is a separate agency from the Vermont Public Service Board, which serves as the quasi-judicial or decision-making authority in utility regulatory cases.