WASHINGTON—Protecting consumers during the transition to an IP-based telecommunications system and granting State agencies access to network outage information topped the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' policy agenda during its just concluded Winter Committee Meetings.
In a series of resolutions approved today, the Association's Board of Directors called on the Federal Communications Commission to develop a collaborative approach with State regulators as it oversees the move from a copper- to an IP-based telecommunications network.
NARUC also urged the agency to provide its members direct access to its Network Outage Reporting System, a database containing reports of communications outages throughout the country.
The resolutions were today at the conclusion of NARUC's Winter Committee Meetings in Washington and are now considered official Association policy.
NARUC is the national association representing the State public service commissioners who regulate essential utility services such as energy, telecommunications, and water. The Association's members are responsible for assuring reliable utility service at fair, just, and reasonable rates.
A summary of each resolution is below; the full text will be available online soon.
This resolution reaffirms NARUC's commitment to a collaborative, joint approach with the States to further the consumer protection and public safety goals/directives in the FCC's NPRM.
This resolution urges the FCC to permit direct access for all PUCs to State-specific data in the NORS database, subject to appropriate safeguards for confidential information.
This resolution commends EPRI for its beneficial "Integrated Grid" analytical framework and outreach to stakeholders.
This resolution endorses the WGA Drought Forum and urges NARUC members to cooperate with the forum in identifying relevant case studies and best practices on drought policy, preparedness and management to mitigate the impact of drought on communities, economies, and the environment.