(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The people of the State of Arkansas are faced with rapidly rising utility costs;
(2) Residents of the state are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic utility usage;
(3) The people of Arkansas need aggressive and effective representation in utility rate hearings and other utility-related proceedings; and
(4) In order to make informed decisions about their energy consumption, the people of this state need to be informed about the rate-making process and the opportunity to reduce utility bills through conservation measures and the use of alternative energy sources.
(b) The General Assembly finds that the public policy and responsibility of the state as set forth in this section can best be attained with the establishment of the Consumer Utilities Rate Advocacy Division within the Office of the Attorney General, and it is the purpose of this subchapter to create this division.