Minnesota Public Utility Commission Making Public Data Accessible

Abstract

This report thoroughly scrutinizes the current online capabilities of the Minnesota PUC - specifically regarding online accessibility. Terminology such as “accessibility,” “data-user,” and “usability” are defined without jargon. Much of the project’s timeline was spent on background research of the PUC’s role as a data-collector and a data-repository. Research of other state utility commissions and similar public institutions in Minnesota (i.e. Minnesota Department of Health) were helpful in the creation of comparison-based recommendations. Functionality of the PUC was graded in comparison to Wisconsin, Arizona, and Washington’s utility commissions. The corresponding data-visualization illustrates strengths and weaknesses of the MN PUC relative to other state agencies.Our findings indicate that the PUC’s online capabilities are currently satisfactory in many aspects, such as streamlined eDockets set-ups for data retrieval. PUC website and eDockets users currently are composed of experienced users who can quickly navigate the platform after an initial “learning period.” However, the online platform still has many opportunities to grow the system into a space that is friendly to non-experienced users. Our recommendations have been compiled into a list that can be itemized by budget.