Calif. Consumer Advocates Seek 'Bridge Funding' as ACP Winds Down

California should “provide temporary bridge funding for two years through” the state LifeLine program to "mitigate harm to low-income consumers from" the impending end of the federal affordable connectivity program (ACP), consumer advocates said Tuesday at the California Public Utilities Commission. The Utility Reform Network and the CPUC’s independent Public Advocates Office sought “limited modifications” to an October 2020 CPUC decision on LifeLine-specific support amounts and minimum service standards. The groups proposed allowing LifeLine participants to temporarily apply state and federal low-income benefits to a standalone wireline broadband service, while the CPUC considers a long-term answer. Urging the CPUC to act quickly, the groups additionally filed a motion to halve the typical required time to respond to their petition to 15 days, which would make comments due May 8. The groups recently sought modification to other past CPUC decisions due to ACP expected end (see 2404230020). But the cable industry has raised concerns (see 2404230020).