On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously adopted a Decision requiring wireline communications providers to increase system resiliency so they can remain operational during power outages.  The CPUC’s actions are in direct response to the widespread loss of communications service during the late 2019 Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. This Decision helps ensure that rural wireline-dependent communities enjoy the same levels of communications resiliency as do those who have reliable access to wireless communications coverage in Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts, such as maintaining service for a minimum of 72-hours immediately following a power outage; maintaining customer access to 9-1-1 service, emergency notifications, and basic internet browsing; and submitting waivers for facilities where it is unsafe or objectively impossible or infeasible to deploy backup power (and discuss actions to mitigate the resulting service loss).

Within the next eight months, wireline providers are ordered to implement 72-hour backup power requirements for critical facilities and network equipment in communities that lack sufficient wireless coverage, and wireline providers must implement 72-hour backup power requirements for all remaining facilities across Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts within the next 18 months.

RCRC engaged extensively in this proceeding and many of our suggestions were incorporated in both the Wireless Decision (D.20-07-011) and this Decision.  RCRC again sincerely appreciates the efforts of Supervisors Ted Williams (Mendocino), Lynda Hopkins (Sonoma), David Griffith (Alpine), Lee Adams (Sierra), and Ryan Coonerty (Santa Cruz), and their staff, in preparation of RCRC comments and testimony in this proceeding.  Please contact John Kennedy, RCRC Legislative Advocate, with any questions or for more information.