The executive director of the division of consumer advocacy shall be the consumer advocate in hearings before the public utilities commission. The consumer advocate shall represent, protect, and advance the interests of all consumers, including small businesses, of utility services.

The responsibility of the consumer advocate for advocating the interests of the consumer of utility services shall be separate and distinct from the responsibilities of the public utilities commission and those assistants employed by the commission. The consumer advocate shall have full rights to participate as a party in interest in all proceedings before the public utilities commission.