Utilities Back Pole Replacement FNPRM Replies Extension Request

A coalition of utility companies backed a request for the FCC to extend the deadline for reply comment on a Further NPRM on pole replacement costs (see 2207120078). The current deadline doesn't give "electric utility commenters sufficient time to meaningfully respond to the initial comments," said Southern Company, Oncor Electric Delivery, Entergy, Duke Energy, American Electric Power Service and Ameren Services, per a filing posted Wednesday in docket 17-84. The companies noted Charter's comments and expert report are "extensively redacted, making it difficult for pole owners to adequately respond," and the FCC should "make a timely decision with respect to Charter’s request for confidentiality and to establish a process and timeline pursuant to which electric utility commenters can review the information redacted." The companies also asked the FCC to "immediately grant [the Edison Electric Institutes's] long-pending petition for declaratory ruling addressing the limitations period in pole attachment complaints" (see 2109090050). USTelecom also backed an extension, in a letter Wednesday, saying "as the existing pole attachment rules remain in place there is no urgency to the commission’s decision in this matter that would render an additional 60 days to develop the record detrimental to any stakeholders."