COM/CRC/hkr Date of Issuance 10/3/2008
Decision 08-10-017 October 2, 2008
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Establish Uniform Construction Standards for Pole-Top Antennas. |
Rulemaking 07-12-001 (Filed December 6, 2007) |
DECISION ADOPTING UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR POLE-TOP ANTENNAS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
DECISION ADOPTING UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR POLE-TOP ANTENNAS 1
1. Summary 2
2. Background 3
3. Agreement Reached at the Technical Conferences 6
4. Comments of Parties on the Technical Conference Report 9
4.1. SCE 9
4.2. CCTA and AT&T California 10
4.3. Joint Municipal Parties 10
4.4. PacifiCorp, PG&E, and SDG&E 10
4.5. Wireless Parties 12
5. Discussion 13
5.1. Adoption of the Technical Conference Report's Proposed Revisions to GO 95 13
5.1.1. The Proposed Revisions Are Reasonable in Light of the Record 14
5.1.2. The Proposed Revisions Are Consistent with the Law 17
5.1.3. The Proposed Revisions Are in the Public Interest 18
5.1.4. Adoption of the Proposed Revisions 20
5.2. SCE's Additional Proposed Revisions to GO 95 20
5.3. Implementation of the Adopted Revisions to GO 95 22
6. Categorization and Need for Hearings 23
7. Comments on the Proposed Decision 24
8. Assignment of the Proceeding 24
Findings of Fact 24
Conclusions of Law 25
ORDER 26
Appendix A: Technical Conference Report
1. Summary
This Decision adopts the uncontested proposal to revise General Order (GO) 95 that was jointly submitted by Pacific Bell Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T - California, AT&T Mobility, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, the Commission's Consumer Protection and Safety Division, Crown Castle USA, ExteNet Systems, the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) 47, IBEW 1245, NewPath Networks, NextG Networks, PacifiCorp, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, Sprint-Nextel, Time Warner Cable, T-Mobile, Verizon California, Inc. d/b/a/ Verizon - California, and Verizon Wireless. The adopted revisions to GO 95 establish uniform construction standards for wireless antennas installed on utility poles above or between power lines operating at zero to 50,000 volts.1 The purpose of the adopted revisions is to facilitate the expansion of California's wireless infrastructure in a way that protects the safety of workers and the public, minimizes costs and potential environmental impacts, and maintains the reliability of equipment and facilities attached to poles by electric utilities and telecommunications providers.
The safe expansion of California's wireless infrastructure provides significant public benefits. Consumers today are increasingly relying on wireless services-sometimes in lieu of wireline telephone service. Installation of pole-top wireless antennas will meet this growing demand; enhance reliability of service; provide services to areas that presently lack wireless (or, in some cases, wireline) services; and promote the deployment of broadband services. Finally, expanding wireless infrastructure will strengthen the public safety network by enhancing the ability of public-safety agencies to receive the public's calls during emergencies and communicate critical safety information among first responders.
1 Such wireless antenna installations are referred to herein as "pole-top antennas."
