FCC makes allowance for electric company notifications under Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) recently applauded a vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that grants permission for electric companies to use automated calls and text messages when they offer a more efficient and timely means of relaying service-related information to customers.
“EEI appreciates the FCC recognizing that electric companies offer services that are critical to the health and safety of all Americans and the U.S. economy,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said. “The vote, which supports an EEI petition, removes a significant regulatory barrier and allows electric companies to provide customers with important and timely information about their electricity service.”
EEI also praised the FCC’s provision for electric companies in the recent and highly publicized Telephone Consumer Protection Act, noting the importance of prompt notifications regarding service outages and timelines for service restoration.
“An important part of our industry’s response efforts during outages and emergency events is the ability to keep in touch with customers,” Kuhn said. “Understandably, customers should not receive unwanted robocalls from telemarketers, and we commend the FCC for clarifying that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act does not prohibit electric companies from updating their customers about planned and unplanned service outages and restoration efforts.”
