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Nuclear Waste, Agency Rulemaking Reform, Emergency Response Top Winter Meetings Agenda(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners issued the following news release: Nuclear waste, federal agency rulemaking reforms, and emergency response topped the agenda for National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' annual Winter Meeting. At the conclusion of the NARUC Board of Directors meeting here, the Association approved resolutions reaffirming its commitment to resolving the nation's longstanding nuclear-waste dilemma, support for waste-heat-to-power, and enhanced communications efforts between electric and telecommunications companies during emergencies. The resolutions are now considered NARUC policy and will guide the organization's advocacy before Congress, the Administration, and the federal courts. A summary of each is below. The entire text is online at: http://winter.narucmeetings.org/2013WinterResolutions-FInal.pdf. Resolution Regarding Guiding Principles for Management and Disposal of High-Level Nuclear Waste The Resolution adopts principles to guide NARUC towards a permanent solution to nuclear waste disposal, responsible management and use of the Nuclear Waste Fund, interim storage of nuclear waste, rethinking federal organization of nuclear fuel management, and NARUC role in the debate. Resolution Supporting the Inclusion of Waste Heat to Power Technologies in State and Federal Clean Energy Policies and Programs The Resolution points out that combined heat and power opportunities are often overlooked in many clean energy policies, including federal investment tax credit, many State renewable portfolio standards and various utility rebate programs. It goes on to commit NARUC to ensure waste heat to power technology is included in relevant discussions and policies. Resolution in Support of Energy Assurance Efforts The Resolution recognizes a need to be vigilant against all potential threats to energy sources and delivery systems. NARUC commits to supporting the efforts of commissions and the DOE/OE to becoming more knowledgeable about energy assurance capabilities that enhance the public health, safety, and economic well-being. Resolution Urging the FCC and State Regulatory Commissions to take Action to Coordinate Emergency Planning to Ensure the Sharing of Outage and other Critical Information in Disaster or Major Storm Situations The Resolution asks the FCC and State regulatory commission to encourage and mandate the sharing of outage information before and during any natural disaster to aid the efficient and effective dispatch of resources to restore and respond to disasters Resolution to Promote Co-Existence in the 902-928 MHz Spectrum Band The Resolution expresses concern over the FCC approval of Progeny's petition for permanent authority to operate its M-LMS system in the 902-928 MHz band as it might cause harmful and unacceptable interference with utility ratepayer funded communications devices for AMI, smart grid systems, and monitoring and control systems and other critical infrastructure and requests further field tests with AMI and smart grid system equipment manufacturers to ensure such harmful and unacceptable interference is avoided. It also requests the FCC to refrain from approving permanent authority to operate in the 902-928 MHz band until after it has completed the Part 90 rulemaking in WE Docket No. 06-49. Resolution Urging Congress to Cure Repeated Abuses of Informal Rulemaking by the Federal Communications Commission and Industry Representatives The Resolution outlines the repeated abuses of the informal rulemaking process by the FCC and industry representatives and asks for an amendment to the Communications Act of 1934 to restrict oral communications from outside the agency. Resolution Supporting EPA's WaterSense "Fix-a-Leak Week" in March 2013 The Resolution encourages NARUC members to participate in EPA's "Fix-a-Leak Week." TNS-LE 130207-4193962 StaffFurigay (c) 2013 Targeted News Service |