NARUC Adopts ACP Enrollment Resolution, Citing Economic ‘Crunch’

SAN DIEGO -- State utility regulators passed a resolution meant to increase affordable connectivity program (ACP) enrollment. The NARUC board adopted the resolution Wednesday after it cleared the Telecom Committee in a unanimous vote Tuesday at the association’s summer meeting. Intensifying economic factors make programs like ACP critical, said committee Chairman Tremaine Phillips in an interview.

The NARUC resolution urges more connections between the national verifier and state databases including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The resolution, by Nebraska Public Service Commissioner Crystal Rhoades (D), also urges state and federal agencies to collaborate on more outreach (see 2207080016).

ACP enrollment at 20%-25% of the eligible population is low compared with other low-income programs, said Phillips. Michigan ranks high among states on ACP enrollment because its SNAP and Social Security databases connect to the national verifier, he noted: “It’s been very effective for us.”

Inflation, higher gas prices, supply chains and the end of certain COVID-19 relief programs are putting a “real crunch” on people, said Phillips. “This is an opportunity for us to pull all the levers that we can to either expand eligibility or to … increase those pots of telecommunications and energy assistance funding to help folks who are going to be facing a number of challenges as it relates to their monthly utility bills.”

To further digital equity goals, state commissioners should listen to communities and local-facing organizations to learn about people’s needs and use cases for internet access, said Phillips. “We can sometimes lose perspective working on a state level.”

It often takes one-on-one communication to enroll people in ACP, said Kari Gray, Community Tech Network digital literacy program director, on a Tuesday panel: “We’re in a very high-touch business.” Guidance is key because it may be the first time a potential enrollee uses a tablet, she said. Gray sees room to improve the ACP sign-up process, she said. “There’s some weird disconnect” between when people apply for the benefit and when they tell a provider they qualified, she said. “Depending on who you get that day” in customer service, “you either get it right away or you have to wait again.”

Phillips applauded news that all states and territories will join NTIA’s broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program (see 2207130047). “We’re going to have these 50-plus labs of innovation … to learn from and build upon.” Phillips agreed with former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn that utility commissioners should demand a seat at the table even if another state agency is leading BEAD work (see 2207190068). Commissions have technical expertise, industry connections and “oftentimes have insight into who are those habitual, bad faith actors or wrongdoers” who might be pursuing funding, he said. “Having us deeply involved in the process just can only make the program better.”

It was Phillips’ first NARUC meeting as Telecom Committee chair (see 2203100064). Phillips wants the panel to look more into the intersection of energy and telecom sectors, including to find “more ways to partner with utilities … deploying fiber” and to “open up or access that middle-mile fiber to extend broadband access,” said the Michigan commissioner: Also, expect the association’s next conference, Nov. 13-16 in New Orleans, to include more talks about preparing for extreme weather.

NARUC's Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity postponed to a future meeting voting on a proposed resolution to expand diversity, equity and inclusion programming. The DEI measure could return at the November meeting, said a NARUC spokesperson. "The resolution sparked great interest and dialogue and the committee wants to review and have more time for discussion."