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.
ENERGY
Michigan
The PSC issued proposed guidelines applicable to documents filed electronically with the PSC. The PSC determined that filers would benefit from guidance that addresses the following issues with respect to electronic filings: (1) privacy, (2) volume, (3) copyright, (4) inappropriate language, and (5) removal of posted information. The proposed effective date of the guideline is June 1, 2014. Interested persons may file comments on the proposed guideline no later than May 6, 2014.
TELECOM
FCC
The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) announced that its next meeting will be on March 28, 2014. The Committee was established in November 2000 to make recommendations to the FCC regarding consumer issues and to facilitate the participation of consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved populations, such as Native Americans and persons living in rural areas) in proceedings before the FCC. At its March 28, 2014, meeting, the CAC is expected to consider recommendations concerning E-rate, the IP Transition, wireless mobile health devices, and caption quality. It may also consider other recommendations from its working groups and may receive briefings from FCC staff and outside speakers. The public may ask questions of presenters via email livequestions@fcc.gov or via Twitter using the hashtag #fcclive. Alternatively, members of the public may send written comments to: Scott Marshall, Designated Federal Officer of the Committee.
Maine
The PUC opened a rulemaking proceeding to amend Chapter 870, Late Payment Charges, Interest Rates to Be Paid on Customer Deposits, And Charges for Returned Checks which establishes a just and reasonable interest rate for customer deposits. The PUC proposes to use the rate for one-year Treasury securities as an appropriate index and to establish a floor of 0.30% for interest paid on customer deposits. In addition, the PUC proposes to establish a floor of 0.30%, the rate currently in effect, to ensure that customers earn some modest return on the deposits held by utilities. Written comments may be filed no later than April 25, 2014.
