Contact: Regina Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org

NARUC Applauds FCC Order to Extend Freeze on Jurisdictional Separations Costs

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners commends the Federal Communications Commission on its December 17 order extending the freeze on the jurisdictional separations cost allocation factors for up to six years, as recommended by the Jurisdictional Separations Federal-State Joint Board. 

“All of the FCC commissioners should be commended for actively participating in deliberations with and being responsive to the Joint Board’s recommended decision," said Commissioner Paul Kjellander of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and former chair of NARUC’s Committee on Telecommunications.

The Joint Board is comprised of FCC members and state commissioners nominated by NARUC to serve on the board. As noted in the statements of commissioners Brendan Carr and Michael O’Reilly, the final order followed recommendations that emanated from the Joint Board and FCC deliberations. 

“On behalf of the state members of the Joint Board, I want to thank all of the FCC commissioners for making time in their tightly packed schedules to deliberate, as required, on the extension and optional freeze issues which, in turn, led to the filing of the recommended decision,” said Vermont Commissioner Sarah Hofmann, who also serves as state chair of the Joint Board and provided insights to the deliberative process.

“Commissioner Carr and FCC staffer Jamie Susskind were instrumental in facilitating deliberations that led to compromise,” she added. “Chairman Pai and his advisor Nirali Patel listened patiently to the board’s concerns. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and advisor Travis Litman actively supported the requirements of the Act. "Board Chair Commissioner O’Reilly and his advisor Arielle Roth worked to reach a compromise with other board members and has already expressed interest in re-engaging on outstanding separations issues.”

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About NARUC

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.