On October 21st, the CPUC adopted requirements on electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and telecommunications providers to ensure better coordination with restoration and rebuild efforts with the CPUC and applicable local jurisdiction after a Gubernatorial or Presidentially declared disaster, such as a wildfire. IOUs and telecommunications providers will be required to detail the equipment that was damaged, provide a detailed description of what is being repaired or replaced (with maps), give a timeline to make needed repairs, detail any changes to infrastructure that may be required, as well as provide the respective utility contact person responsible for community engagement in these instances. IOUs were also directed to meet with impacted communities within 30 days of being permitted back into a disaster area in order to discuss rebuilding plans and consider feedback. The CPUC’s Decision went so far to admonish IOUs and telecommunications service providers for having the viewpoint that discussing service restoration and rebuilding efforts with the communities they serve is inconvenient.
Additionally, the CPUC encouraged—but did not require—IOUs to install fiber/conduit during rebuilding efforts. The Broadband Proceeding, however, will continue to explore and leverage opportunities for IOUs to contribute to fiber buildout and installation. Finally, the CPUC Decision also modified the Digital Divide Account to focus the $1 million in grant funds on three small, rural school pilot projects, and one urban pilot project. The CPUC Decision can be found here.
