Naruc Files Appeal of Federal USF/ICC Order

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January 20, 2012

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners issued the following statement after filing its appeal of the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service/Intercarrier Compensation order:

“We do not take this action lightly. While we believe reforming universal service and intercarrier compensation is essential, we must make sure we are doing it right. There is much to like in the Federal Communications Commission’s order, such as its proposals for eliminating phantom traffic and phasing out the identical support rule. But we have major concerns about a number of the preemptive elements in the order, particularly over how States designate telecommunications firms that can receive intrastate access charges. State commissions are critical partners with the FCC in assuring affordable access to telecommunications services. This order, unfortunately, preempts State authority in a way that is unsanctioned by existing law.”
--NARUC President David Wright of South Carolina, NARUC Telecommunications Committee Chair John Burke of Vermont

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.

News Source : NARUC Files Appeal of Federal USF/ICC Order