(a) Target.--The commission shall establish an expense reduction program for calendar year 1986 for all electric and gas utilities with total annual intrastate operating revenues of at least $40,000,000 and for all telephone utilities with total annual intrastate operating revenues of at least $9,000,000. Utilities regulated by the commission pursuant to this subsection shall make every reasonable effort to reduce their level of expenses, other than expenses associated with depreciation, fuel, collective bargaining agreements and other categories of expense as determined by the commission for the calendar year 1986 as compared to calendar year 1985. The commission shall periodically review the expense reducing efforts undertaken by utilities pursuant to this subsection and shall take appropriate action in response to these efforts.

(b) Ongoing effort.--The commission may direct or permit any utility to take any lawful action not inconsistent with this title for the purpose of encouraging economies, efficiencies or improvements which benefit the utility and its ratepayers.