Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California

Investigation on the Commission's Own Motion into the Operations and Practices of Southern California Edison Company, Verizon Wireless LLC, Sprint Communications Company, LP, NextG Networks of California, and AT&T Communications of California, Inc., Regarding the Utility Facilities and the Canyon Fire in Malibu of October 2007.	FILED PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SAN FRANCISCO JANUARY 29, 2009 I.09-01-018

ORDER INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION,

AND NOTICE OF HEARING

I. INTRODUCTION

By this order, the Commission institutes a formal investigation to determine whether the named Respondents violated any provision or provisions of the Public Utilities Code, Commission general orders or decisions, or other applicable rules or requirements in regards to their facilities which may have caused the fire in Malibu on October 21, 2007 (the October 21, 2007 fire in Malibu is alternately referred to as the "Malibu" or "Canyon" fire). Respondents are the Southern California Edison Company, Verizon Wireless (Verizon), Sprint Communications Company, LP (Sprint), NextG Networks of California (NextG), and AT&T Communications of California, Inc. (AT&T). Each and all Respondents are subject to the Commission's jurisdiction and to state law, and to the Commission's general orders, rules, and decisions. Among other things, these authorities set forth requirements pertaining to the construction, inspection, and maintenance of utility poles, including the wires and other utility equipment attached to the poles.

This order provides notice that the Commission will set a hearing to determine whether any or all Respondents have violated the Commission's general orders or other applicable authority pertaining to the breakage of the Malibu utility poles and the ensuing fire. This order also directs each respondent to show cause as to why the Commission should not find violations in this matter, and why the Commission should not impose penalties, and/or any other forms of relief, if any violations are found. The order also directs respondents to respond to certain questions and provide specified information to the Commission and its Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD).