Last Friday, RCRC submitted extensive reply comments to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Emergency Disaster Relief Program Proceeding, which is currently considering requirements for wireline communications resiliency during Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events.
RCRC countered various wireline providers’ objections to increasing the resiliency of their facilities located in needs in High Fire Threat Districts and disputed many of their assertions that the costs of upgrading their systems would far outweigh the few benefits that may accrue from keeping their infrastructure operational during a power outage. For instance, wireline providers are largely seeking to abandon reliable access to 9-1-1 and emergency services for residential customers and most critical facilities, instead focusing on maintaining service for police stations, fire stations, hospitals, and emergency dispatch centers. RCRC objected to this industry proposal and emphasized the need for reliable wireline communications during power outages and emergencies, especially for those communities that have no (or limited) wireless coverage.
As a result, RCRC renewed our calls for the CPUC to establish systemwide resiliency targets and set clear expectations for communications system performance. Without adopting minimum standards for wireline providers, public health and safety are put at risk by leaving rural and disadvantaged communities without reliable access to 9-1-1 and emergency services during disasters, such as PSPS events.