The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court, issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Regulatory Bulletin.
TELECOM
California
The PUC set a prehearing conference for April 9, 2014, in the Order Instituting Rulemaking into the Review of the California High Cost Fund-A Program (R.11-11-007). The conference is called to determine the parties, positions of the parties, issues, and other procedural matters. Parties desiring expedited or daily transcripts should advise the Chief Hearing Reporter via e-mail at reporting@cpuc.ca.gov, no later than three days prior to the first day of hearing.
Missouri
On March 20, 2014, Gov. Nixon signed four bills passed by the General Assembly related to telecommunications – Senate Bills 649, 650, 651, and 653. Senate Bill 651 specifies that no cause of action shall lie in any court against a communications-related service provider for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from a disruption or loss of communication services during an emergency situation, except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. This act also modifies when a telecommunications company may obtain a certification substituting telecommunications service for interconnected voice over internet protocol service.
Senate Bill 650 modifies the Uniform Wireless Communications Infrastructure Deployment Act. It adds broadcast and radio based communications to the Act and modifies the definitions of collocation and substantial modification. It places parameters around the wireless approval process to encourage more timely investment in broadband expansion and wireless service improvement. Senate Bill 649 and Senate Bill 653 address management of public rights-of-way and utility pole access;
Statement by the White House Press Secretary on Blocking of Twitter in Turkey
March 21, 2014, The United States is deeply concerned that the Turkish government has blocked its citizens’ access to basic communication tools. We oppose this restriction on the Turkish people’s access to information, which undermines their ability to exercise freedoms of expression and association and runs contrary to the principles of open governance that are critical to democratic governance and the universal rights that the United States stands for around the world. We have conveyed our serious concern to the Turkish government, urge Turkish authorities to respect the freedom of the press by permitting the independent and unfettered operation of media of all kinds, and support the people of Turkey in their calls to restore full access to the blocked technologies.
ENERGY
Michigan
The PSC will review the March 17, 2014, joint application of Integrys Energy Group, Inc., Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners, L.P. and Upper Peninsula Power Holding Company which seeks the PSC’s approval: a) of Integrys to sell 100% of the capital stock of UPPCO to BBIP with the resulting change of UPPCO’s ownership to BBIP and UPPHC; and b) to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement. A prehearing conference will be held April 9, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. A copy of the joint application may be reviewed on the Commission’s website.
