Pa. Electrics Ask PPUC to Depart From FCC Pole Attachment Rules; Verizon Opposed

District of Columbia in reverse pre-empting the FCC (see 1810300023), Verizon urged the PUC to fully adopt FCC rules and automatically adopt future updates to federal rules. Electric utilities and some others may not like the FCC’s August order that modified the federal rules, but it thoroughly considered issues and made changes to address their concerns, Verizon said. “Speeding broadband deployment does not seem to be the primary motivation for these parties.” Duquesne Light gets the need for rural broadband, replied the Pittsburgh utility. “By assuming jurisdiction of pole attachment, the Commission will be in a position to positively impact many customers and yet balance that need against the equally important requirements for safety and reliability of the electric distribution grid.” A boom in wireless attachments “is causing increasing safety concerns for electric utilities,” Duquesne said. "Carefully consider the implications of the FCC regulations being proposed that will make it harder for pole owners, especially [electric distribution companies], to manage the many attachments on poles as wireless technology advances.” Allowing the PUC to deviate is appropriate given the state body has greater expertise in electric utility issues than the FCC, said Exelon's PECO of Philadelphia. CTIA urged automatic adoption of a federal rule change that skips a state rulemaking process, saying there’s Pennsylvania PUC precedent, such as its system for pipeline safety standards. “Under this precedent, future changes to the regulations would require notice only if the federal change was not being adopted,” CTIA said.