press releases
For Immediate Release: February 16, 2017
Contact: Regina L. Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org
NARUC Applauds Introduction of the Preserving State Commission Oversight Act
WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Preserving State Commission Oversight Act of 2017, or PSC Oversight Act, in the House and Senate that would restore the congressionally mandated state role in designating all providers as eligible telecommunications carriers, allowing them to participate in the low-income Lifeline Universal Service program.
“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on this issue. The Universal Service program, including the Lifeline program, was designed by Congress to be a shared responsibility between federal and state regulators. This bill seeks to restore the federal-state partnership envisioned in the Telecommunications Action of 1996, which will keep state cops “on the beat” to address waste, fraud and abuse; and improve program integrity and oversight, service quality and consumer protections.”
—NARUC President Robert F. Powelson of Pennsylvania
“States play a key role in promoting the program, verifying consumer eligibility, ensuring compliance with state and federal rules and, in many states, providing additional matching funds to further reduce the cost of service for qualified low-income consumers. We look forward to working with our federal colleagues to ensure that these public monies in the Lifeline program are being maximized to serve qualifying low-income consumers.”
—NARUC Committee on Telecommunications Chair Paul Kjellander of Idaho
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NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.