Edison Electric Institute Cautions FCC Against Changing Pole Attachment Rules

The Edison Electric Institute urged the FCC to maintain its rules on contractor qualifications for electric utility pole work and large pole orders (see 2408190053). EEI said in a meeting with Wireline Bureau staff that the record "demonstrates the need for a flexible approach to timelines" for larger pole orders, per an ex parte filing Friday in docket 17-84. A "one-size-fits-all timeline would be impractical," EEI said. Utilities also "have a legitimate interest in ensuring that contractors who work on their poles meet certain safety and reliability standards," the group said: "Allowing contractors to unilaterally select their own contractors to work above the communications space bypassing utility vetting and training through a utility’s onboarding process could compromise these standards."