Electric Utilities Raise Concerns About Pole Replacement Costs, Refund Rules

A coalition of electric utility companies raised concerns about make-ready pole replacement cost allocations and refund rules, in separate meetings with the FCC Wireline Bureau and aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Electric utilities "do not benefit" from make-ready pole replacements, the companies said, adding it's "unjust and unreasonable to shift any portion of the cost" to them, per an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 17-84. The coalition -- which included Southern Co., Oncor Electric Delivery, Entergy, Duke Energy, American Electric Power Service and Ameren Services -- said in a meeting with Rosenworcel aides the current refund rule "creates a significant accounting problem for electric utilities," citing the FCC's lack of jurisdiction over rates paid to ILECs by electric utilities.