State Commissions Vary in Post-Pandemic Return Plans

Many state utility commissions are still evaluating when to fully bring back employees and the public, as more COVID-19 vaccines become available, agency representatives said in response to a Communications Daily survey. Two Southern commissions said they’re at least mostly back, though coronavirus protocols continue. Commissions reported such safety measures as plexiglass barriers, temperature checks, and masking and social distancing requirements. Communications companies, law firms and federal agencies also are still deciding, our earlier report found (see 2104140030).

“We are still in a pandemic that is by no means over,” cautioned behavioral scientist John Allegrante, a professor at Columbia University. It’s no time to be complacent, he said. “We are seeing troubling spikes of spread in several states and especially among younger adults. Moreover, variants of the virus that are more transmissible or can produce more severe disease are now spreading through the United States.” Organizations should support remote work and limit the number of people in proximity in workplaces, he said.

All Arkansas Public Service Commission employees without high-risk conditions returned to the office in February, per the state’s public health policy, said Executive Director Donna Gray. All remote workers must return by May 17 “at the latest,” and are encouraged to return sooner if fully vaccinated, she said. Remote employees must return that day even if they choose not to get a vaccine, said Gray: The agency will continue to review its safety protocols like mask wearing, temperature checks and 6-foot distancing.

“Alabama public service commissioners and staff returned to normal work schedules” March 22, and the public is allowed inside, said an APSC spokesperson: Division directors must approve all work-related travel. While the state’s mask mandate ended April 9, “citizens with APSC business will be encouraged to continue safety precautions such as washing hands, social distancing, and wearing a mask,” said the spokesperson: The commission started livestreaming meetings last year and plans to continue webcasts.

The Georgia PSC continues to discuss when to bring people back, said a spokesperson: “Currently, we expect most people will have received a vaccine by August. We could come back earlier or later.” Chairman Chuck Eaton is monitoring the Georgia Supreme Court, which recently resumed in-person hearings, the spokesperson said. “We are watching how those hearings progress as we make decisions about our public hearings.” For now, staff and commissioners “are highly encouraged to work from home when possible,” though the executive secretary office must be in person for a few hours daily to accept filings through a window, the official said. “As we return to normal, travel is expected to resume for training purposes, educational opportunities, and trade organization meetings.”

“We expect to review the situation in the summer,” said a District of Columbia PSC spokesperson: Currently, the building is closed, and employees work remotely except for some field inspectors. When ready, the agency expects to open to workers and the public simultaneously, with plexiglass dividers, automatic thermometers, and mask and social distancing requirements in certain common spaces. The PSC will continue to allow employees to telework, said the representative.

How and when to return to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is “to be determined ... based on guidance” from state administration and general services agencies and state and PUC leadership, said a commission spokesperson. The building is closed to the public and most staffers now work remotely, though some are in office to process mail or in the field to enforce utility safety. “Staff -- in very limited numbers -- must have advance permission to enter buildings; must screen for COVID symptoms before entry; and must wear masks and maintain distance from others.” The PUC has been 100% functional, the official stressed.

The Iowa Utilities Board “established teams with assigned and staggered time to work in the office vs. working remotely,” a spokesperson said. “The IUB continues to assess the pandemic situation and to make adjustments as needed.” The building is open to the public with mask and other requirements, said the representative: The board livestreamed meetings before the pandemic but added virtual participation options that it expects to keep.

“We are constantly reviewing the situation and evaluating how to proceed,” an Arizona Corporation Commission spokesperson said. Gov. Doug Ducey (R) “recently nullified mask mandates and gathering limits, but we are waiting on further guidance at this time.” Some commissioners come in for meetings, others attend virtually and staff has the option to work remotely, the representative said. Masks are required in all common areas, and the agency has hand-sanitizing stations and plexiglass barriers. It is closed to the public. Increased virtual participation will likely continue post-pandemic, the official said.

The Maryland PSC awaits guidance from the state budget department, a spokesperson said. Most staffers work remotely, and all proceedings are virtual, but “we do have a few divisions that require some presence at our offices,” including Consumer Affairs, Transportation and Fiscal. Those “are staffed on a staggered basis,” and employees adhere to mask and other usual requirements, with the agency providing hand sanitizer and plexiglass, the representative said.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has a mix of remote and in-office work and doesn’t know when that will change, a spokesperson said. Visitors must prearrange a visit and be screened. The OCC provides personal protective equipment to staff, and a certified cleaner disinfects commonly touched objects, the official said. Masks are required, and plexiglass barriers are up in courtrooms. The OCC expects to continue expanding its virtual meetings and electronic court system, the spokesperson said.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission doesn’t know when it will bring people back, said a spokesperson: Most staffers work remotely most days, and the public isn’t allowed inside. “We follow Maine CDC guidelines.”

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska remains closed to the public; staff works from home, though some who come in the office up to two days weekly wear masks and get temperature checks, said a spokesperson: It's “unknown at this time” when and how people will return, or when a decision will be made.

Editor's note: This is part of an ongoing series on how the pandemic is affecting communications stakeholders, including the public. A report about virtual hearings is here. Our report about remote oral arguments is here. And articles about the FCC scaling back news conferences are here and here. For our event calendar, please see here.