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 Briefing.
TELECOM
FCC
Broadband
The FCC announced the agenda for its Connect2Health Task Force’s events in Ohio and Michigan on October 26-28, 2015. The various broadband health events and activities will be hosted and/or co-sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Allied Media Projects, the Global Center for Health Innovation, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Innovation Center, Henry Ford Innovation Institute, TechTown Detroit, and Wayne State University. The events are focused on leveraging broadband technology to help reduce health disparities and on identifying opportunities to further encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the broadband health technology space. Click here for details.
AT&T-DIRECTV Merger
The FCC announced that Donald K. Stern of Affiliated Monitors, Inc., has been identified as the Independent Compliance Officer in accordance with the AT&T, Inc., and DIRECTV merger. See the Regulatory Mix dated 7/28/15. Mr. Stern is the Managing Director, Corporate Monitoring and Consulting Services of Affiliated Monitors, Inc., and has served as the US Attorney for Massachusetts, the Chief Legal Counsel for the Governor of Massachusetts, and Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Stern has been a partner in a number of major law firms as well as a member of the faculty of a number of law schools. Since 2004, Affiliated has provided a wide variety of ethics and compliance monitoring services, including providing independent integrity monitoring services for government and regulatory authorities in a wide variety of regulated industries and professions.
ENERGY
California
On October 30, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., the PUC, the California Office of Emergency Services, and the California Department of Technology are gathering to discuss the Federal Connect America Fund (CAF) that will be used to build out broadband and telecommunications infrastructure in California’s rural and high cost areas. The purpose of the workshop will be to address several topics within the scope of the PUC’s Water/Energy Nexus Proceeding including the Water/Energy/Communications Nexus, Public Safety, and Interagency Coordination, and discuss leveraging CAF investment of more than $550,000,000 in California over the next six years to better manage water and energy, and improve public safety and service in California. The Workshop will be held at the California Office of Emergency Services Main Office in Mather, California. Click here for more details.
Pennsylvania
PUC Commissioner Andrew G. Place will address utilities and social service agencies October 30, 2015, at the “Be Utility Wise” program of the Laurel Highlands, “Enhancing Community Connections.” The third annual event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. “Keeping consumers safe and warm is a collaborative effort,” said Commissioner Place. “In terms of winter weather and heating bills, it is imperative that we are aligned in our efforts to educate and assist Pennsylvanians as we enter this season.” In addition to networking opportunities, the event will feature presentations from state agencies, local utility companies, and other financial assistance programs in order to share ideas and services. Presenters will discuss electric shopping, financial assistance programs for utility customers, utility shut-off/crisis safety and more.
