The commission may require, by order served on any public utility in the manner provided in this act for the service of orders, the production within this state at such time and place as it may designate, of any books, accounts, papers, or records of the public utility, or of any affiliate of the utility relating to the public utility's business or affairs within the state, pertinent to any lawful inquiry and kept by the public utility or its affiliate in any office or place without this state.