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
FCC
Open Meeting
The FCC has released the final agenda for its January 30, 2014, Open Meeting. It will consider the following items:
1. A Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry that invites diverse technology transitions experiments to examine how to best accelerate technology transitions by preserving and enhancing the values consumers have come to expect from communication networks. (Technology Transitions, GN Docket No. 13-5; AT&T Petition to Launch a Proceeding Concerning the TDM-to-IP Transition, GN Docket No. 12-353).
2. A Policy Statement and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that sets forth the agency’s policy goals regarding this critical public safety function and seeks comment on proposals for widespread implementation and achievement of those goals. (Facilitating the Deployment of Text-to-911 and Other Next Generation 911 Applications, PS Docket No. 11-153; Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment, PS Docket No. 10-255).
The FCC will also receive an update on the timeline and project plan for the broadcast television incentive auction and receive a presentation from the Staff Working Group on Process Reform at the FCC.
Missouri
The PSC seeks comment on possible creation of a state Universal Service High Cost Fund. The PSC has been gathering information regarding the state’s Universal Service Fund (MoUSF) and has expanded the project to include the possible implementation of a high-cost fund. Among the issues for comment are the need for a state high cost fund and what services would be supported by such a fund. Comments are due by February 14, 2014. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Missouri Bulletin dated January 16, 2014.
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ENERGY
US House of Representatives
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has scheduled a markup for two energy bills: H.R. 3826 (the Electricity Security and Affordability Act) and H.R. 2126 (the Better Buildings Act.) The committee will convene on Monday, January 27, 2014, for opening statements and then reconvene on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, to consider the legislation.
H.R. 3826 provides a reasonable alternative to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed greenhouse gas standards for new power plants and the agency’s planned regulations for existing power plants. H.R. 2126 facilitates the ability of landlords and tenants to lower energy consumption in commercial buildings. The legislation takes a market-driven, voluntary, “best practices” approach to align building owners and occupants to reduce energy usage. Information on both bills can be found here.
Download a Telecom Regulatory Bulletin sample below.
Download a sample Competitive Energy Alert Bulletin sample below.
