On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a Decision requiring wireless companies to take several actions to improve system planning and resiliency to maintain public health and welfare during disasters, including wildfires and Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events. RCRC has been an active party in this proceeding and its testimony was relied upon by the CPUC to justify its decision.  RCRC supported the Proposed Decision while also requesting six changes (see here), four of which were adopted by the CPUC. RCRC supported the establishment of minimum service levels and coverage requirements, which include 9-1-1 and 2-1-1 service, as well as the ability to receive emergency alerts and notifications and basic internet browsing during a disaster or power outage. While RCRC urged the CPUC to expand the resiliency requirements to include wireless facilities that lost power in two or more PSPS events, the CPUC declined to adopt those changes.

Overall, the CPUC Decision:

  • Defines wireless resiliency as the ability to recover from or adjust to adversity or change through an array of strategies including, but not limited to: backup power, redundancy, network hardening, temporary facilities, communication and coordination with other utilities, emergency responders, the public and finally, preparedness planning;
  • Adopts a 72-hour minimum service coverage requirement during grid outages or disasters;
  • Requires wireless providers to file resiliency and emergency plans that detail their ability to maintain a minimum level of service and coverage during a disaster or a commercial power grid outage;
  • Transitions away from diesel back-up generators to renewable backup generation; and
  • Directs the wireless providers to submit annual emergency operations plans.

These wireless resiliency requirements are for facilities based in Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts only (see map here), but future actions as part of this proceeding are likely to impose similar requirements on wireline communications providers.