SAN FRANCISCO, July 30, 2008 - The Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), an independent consumer advocacy division of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), today reminded consumers that the CPUC will soon have the opportunity to approve a decision that would protect Californians by creating requirements for telecommunications back-up power systems.
The Proposed Decision by Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon requires that battery back-up power supplies located on customer premises have the capacity to maintain several hours of service during a power outage. DRA has determined that this would ensure a greater level of security for customers, as it would provide reliable standards of service for telecommunications customers during times of emergency.
"A mandate to provide acceptable back-up power for telecommunications equipment at the customer level is vital in protecting California during disasters and emergencies," said Dana Appling, director of DRA. "Commissioner Simon’s Proposed Decision provides the right framework for developing standards to ensure we can all reach the outside world during times of distress, even when the power’s out."
Read the whole Press Release.
Connect to the Emergency Back-up Power Case.