The attorney general shall be ex officio attorney for the Public Utilities Commission and shall institute and prosecute all actions which the commission shall order brought and render the commissioners all advice, counsel, and assistance necessary for the proper performance of their duties. The county attorney of any county in which an action is pending, prosecuted, or defended by direction of the commission shall aid in the prosecution or defense thereof until final determination when requested by the commission. When necessary the commission may employ additional counsel to assist the attorney general.
All actions or proceedings instituted by the commission shall be brought in the name of the state.