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.
The Regulatory Mix will not be published May 25, 2015 in honor of Memorial Day
TELECOM
US Congress
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology approved seven bills aimed at improving transparency and process at the FCC. See the Regulatory Mix dated 5/20/15. Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) said “I am pleased that both Republicans and Democrats alike recognize the value of increased transparency at the commission and see a need for congressional action to improve the FCC’s decision-making process. The FCC’s work doesn’t only impact the industries that it regulates, but as daily consumers of communications services, our own lives as well. This is why it is so important to make sure that the FCC functions in an effective, transparent manner.”
FCC
Open Internet/Net Neutrality
The FCC released an Enforcement Advisory explaining that when the Open Internet Order goes into effect, broadband providers will be responsible for compliance with §222 of the Communications Act and should take reasonable, good faith steps to protect consumer privacy. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau will assess whether the provider’s actions are reasonable. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 5/21/15.
NDBEDP
At its May 21, 2015, Open Meeting, the FCC voted to make permanent its program that distributes communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind. Known as “iCanConnect,” the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) provides equipment needed to make telecommunications, advanced communications, and the Internet accessible to Americans who have significant vision and hearing loss. The FCC also voted to propose rules for a permanent extension of this successful program.
Energy
Pennsylvania
The PUC issued a Press Release to remind interested consumers to register by Tuesday, May 26, if they wish to submit comments remotely during the PUC’s “Smart Hearings” on June 2 regarding a proposed distribution rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL). Two hearings will be held in Harrisburg at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Smart Hearing is a PUC pilot project aimed to make it easier for utility customers to comment on proposed rate increase requests.
