---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6805"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6805"
heading: "Grants for State consumer protection offices by Secretary"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6805"
units:
  - "Chapter 81 — Energy Conservation and Resource Renewal"
  - "Subchapter I — Electric Utility Rate Design Initiatives"
---

# §6805. Grants for State consumer protection offices by Secretary

- (a) **Establishment, operation, and purpose; qualifications for funds—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/6802.md?p=1) may make grants to [States](/usc/42/6802.md?p=6), or otherwise as provided in [subsection (c)](#c), under this section to provide for the establishment and operation of offices of consumer services to assist consumers in their presentations before [utility regulatory commissions](/usc/42/6802.md?p=7). Any assistance provided under this section shall be provided only for an office of consumer services which is operated independently of any such [utility regulatory commission](/usc/42/6802.md?p=7) and which is empowered to—
  - (1) make general factual assessments of the impact of proposed rate changes and other proposed regulatory actions upon all affected consumers;
  - (2) assist consumers in the presentation of their positions before [utility regulatory commissions](/usc/42/6802.md?p=7); and
  - (3) advocate, on its own behalf, a position which it determines represents the position most advantageous to consumers, taking into account developments in rate design reform.
- (b) **Grants subject to State assurances on funds—** Grants pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall be made only to [States](/usc/42/6802.md?p=6) which furnish such assurances as the [Secretary](/usc/42/6802.md?p=1) may require that funds made available under such section will be in addition to, and not in substitution for, funds made available to offices of consumer services from other sources.
- (c) **Offices established by Tennessee Valley Authority—** Assistance may be provided under this section to an office of consumer services established by the Tennessee Valley Authority, if such office is operated independently of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–385, title II, § 205, Aug. 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 1144; Pub. L. 95–617, title I, § 143, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3134.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1978—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 95–617 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”, meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration.