In response to Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, Assembly Bill (AB) 2393 required the Commission to better prepare for large-scale emergencies, specifically by evaluating the status of telecommunications back-up power and emergency notification systems (sometimes called “reverse 911”) in California. This proceeding implements that law. The Commission is considering in it the need for and desirability of statewide standards for these systems, partnering in this task with two other state agencies: the Office of Emergency Systems (OES) and the Department of General Services (DGS).
Specifically, the Commission will evaluate the feasibility of setting performance and reliability standards both for existing telephone companies’ own back-up power systems and those back-up power systems they install at homes and small businesses (maximum five lines). This proceeding will also decide if statewide standards should be adopted for notification systems used by local public agencies to alert residents to emergencies. DRA is providing the Commission proposals and feedback from the ratepayer perspective, contributing to its findings on these subjects. For questions, please contact Michael Greer at 415 703-2287. The docket is R. 07-04-015.
Commissioner Assigned: Timothy Alan Simon on April 17, 2007
ALJ Assigned: Jeffrey P. O'Donnell on April 17, 2007
Filer Requested Category:
Preliminary Category: Quasi-legislative
Commission Designated Category:
Filed By: CPUC
- The Commission_Rulemaking was issued on April 12, 2007 on the Commission's Own Motion into Reliability Standards for Telecommunications Emergency Backup Power Systems and Emergency Notification Systems pursuant to Assembly Bill 2393.
- DRA’s Comments were filed on May 4, 2007.
- On April 11, 2008, the Commission issued a Ruling soliciting comments on Draft Analysis Report.
- DRA filed Comments on the Draft Report on May 2, 2008.
- On May 9, 2008, the ALJ issued a Proposed_Decision .
- DRA filed Comments on the PD on May 29, 2008 and Reply Comments on June 3, 2008.
- The First_Revision_to_the_Proposed_Decision was issued on June 17, 2008. No comments are permitted to this PD.
- Final Analysis Report
Advocacy
- DRA supports an 8-hour backup power minimum requirement for residential and small business consumers.
- DRA supports consumer education for battery performance, maintenance and replacement options, and the registration of communication devices for mass notification.
- DRA supports the need to develop customized product information for consumers with special needs.