Utc News

FCC 4.9 GHz Sharing Proposal ‘A Positive Development,’ UTC’s Ditto Says

Washington, March 22, 2018 –Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission formally proposed to expand access to the 4.9 GHz spectrum band: “UTC applauds the Federal Communications Commission for adopting its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the 4.9 GHz band, and it supports expanding eligibility to include 'critical infrastructure industry' (CII) entities, such as utilities to hold primary 4.9 GHz licenses.  The 4.9 GHz band is lightly used and expanding eligibility to include utilities to hold primary licenses will help to make more effective use of the spectrum. UTC has worked with the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council to put forward a band plan that would include utilities as eligible to hold licenses in the...

Looking for Energy & Telecom Convergence? Attend UTC’s Annual Meeting in Palm Springs!

Washington, Feb. 6, 2018 –Hundreds of utility executives, engineers, vendors, and top federal and state officials are gathering this May at the Utilities Technology Council’s Telecom & Technology Conference in Palm Springs, Calif. Confirmed speakers include Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Member Neil Chatterjee, who will provide keynote remarks on Thursday, May 10. Other speakers include UTC Chairwoman of the Board Kathy Nelson from Great River Energy, UTC President and CEO Joy Ditto, and other industry and technology leaders. The conference is being held from May 7-11 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. A complete agenda and program information is available here: www.utctelecom.org. The UTC Telecom & Technology Conference is the premier event focused on the convergence between the energy and telecommunications sectors. Attendees will learn...

RUS Appointee ‘Perfectly Suited’ to Lead Agency: UTC’s Ditto

WASHINGTON–Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issued the following statement in support of President Trump’s nomination of Kenneth Johnson to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service: “Kenneth Johnson is an outstanding person to lead the Rural Utilities Service. His background is perfectly suited for this position, as he understands the needs of utilities in rural America. As CEO of Co-Mo Electric Cooperative, he led the utility’s deployment of a fiber-to-the-home broadband network in rural Missouri that provides robust, affordable and reliable broadband services to 15,000 homes and businesses. Mr. Johnson has extensive roots in rural America, serving at both consumer- and publicly owned utilities in the Midwest. On behalf of UTC and our members, I congratulate Mr. Johnson and look…

UTC Applauds Approval of Connect America Fund Auction Procedures

WASHINGTON–Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issued the following statement applauding the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of procedures for the Connect America Fund Phase II auction: “The Federal Communications Commission took a significant step today in expanding broadband into unserved and underserved communities. While we are still analyzing this morning’s action, we applaud the FCC for moving forward on this important matter. Electric utilities are key facilitators of broadband services. Several UTC member electric utilities are providing broadband to their constituents and beyond in areas that are not well served, if served at all, by private telecommunications providers. The upcoming Connect America Fund II auction could support electric utility access to this funding and go a long way in expanding broadband throughout the…

UTC Supports Utility Petition Seeking Supreme Court Review of Pole Attachment Case

WASHINGTON– A federal court gave the Federal Communications Commission too much deference by upholding an order on pole attachments that exceeds the agency’s authority and harms electric utility consumers, the Utilities Technology Council said. In a friend of the court brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, UTC said the Commission’s decision to adopt so-called “cost allocators” for pole attachments subsidizes telecommunications service providers by preventing utilities from recovering the cost of pole attachments, as provided under Section 224(e) of the Communications Act of 1934. Although the FCC claims this policy will expand broadband throughout the country, in practice this has not been the case. “[T]his policy rationale is not supported by the record or in practice; and in any event, detrimentally impacts utilities and electric ratepayers…,” UTC…

Ditto Applauds BPC Report Calling for Utility Access to Spectrum

WASHINGTON—Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issue the following statement in response to a report on “Digitizing the Grid: Next Steps on Policy” by the Bipartisan Policy Center: “Although we are still analyzing the conclusions in the report, we applaud the Bipartisan Policy Center for highlighting utilities’ need for spectrum access. Spectrum is a critical component of our nation’s digital future, yet it is also vitally important now to manage the reliability of our electricity grid. UTC appreciates the report’s recommendations on spectrum and joins in its call for increased coordination between the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Although these agencies have distinct missions, the energy and telecommunications sectors are converging rapidly due to grid modernization. These interdependencies will…

Utilities Technology Council Congratulates Redl upon Senate Confirmation for NTIA Slot

WASHINGTON – Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of David Redl to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration: “Congratulations to David Redl upon his confirmation to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Energy and water utilities across the country require spectrum to deliver their critical services reliably and safely. On behalf of the Utilities Technology Council and our members, I look forward to working with Administrator Redl on issues related to spectrum sharing and broadband expansion.”

UTC Congratulates FERC Nominees McIntyre, Glick on Senate Confirmation

WASHINGTON –Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed the nominations of Kevin McIntyre and Richard Glick to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: “I would like to offer my congratulations to Kevin McIntyre and Richard Glick for their confirmations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). As they know, ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of energy is the agency’s first and foremost responsibility. On behalf of the Utilities Technology Council, I look forward to working with incoming Commissioners McIntyre and Glick, along with Commissioners LaFleur, Powelson, and Chatterjee, on issues related to cybersecurity, reliability, and the need for strong and resilient utility communications networks.”

UTC CEO Congratulates Pai Upon Senate Reconfirmation

WASHINGTON—Utilities Technology Council President and CEO Joy Ditto issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate reconfirmed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai:   “On behalf of the Utilities Technology Council and our members, congratulations to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai. Our members are key players in crossing the ‘Digital Divide’ and we look forward to continuing our work with the Chairman and his colleagues at the Commission. Energy and water providers rely on strong, resilient communications networks to provide their essential services across America. The FCC plays a critical role in assuring that our members have access to needed spectrum so their networks can operate without interference. We commend Chairman Pai for his leadership and are excited to move forward."

UTC, Utilities Oppose Expanded Use of 6-GHz Spectrum Band

WASHINGTON – Expanded use of mid-band spectrum by new wireless broadband services could interfere with critical utility networks used for the reliable operation of the nation’s electricity grid, the Utilities Technology Council told federal regulators. Allowing these services into the 6 GHz spectrum bands might also inhibit the use of “smart” electricity technologies that could revolutionize how consumers use and consume power, UTC comments to the Federal Communications Commission said. UTC represents critical electricity, water, and gas utilities who own and operate their own telecommunications systems. Utilities rely on their networks so they can update, modernize, repair, and restore their services that provide essential energy and water resources. The Edison Electric Institute joined in the comments as well. The FCC is inquiring whether it should...