Home > ADVOCACY > Where We Stand > Telephone Pole Bill Letter

April 26, 2010


Hon. Sam Hoyt  (also sent to Governor Paterson, Speaker Silver, and Senator Sampson)
New York State Assembly
627 Legislative Office Bldg.
Albany, NY 12248

Dear Assemblymember Hoyt:

On behalf of the 2,500 employer members of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, I write in opposition to S. 7469/A.10577, which would require a safety and reliability inspection of all telephone poles used by telephone companies that provide service to more than one million subscribers and the replacement or removal of any aging or damaged poles. Under New York State law, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has the authority to address the maintenance of outside plant and equipment, including utility poles. I urge you to allow the Commission’s active proceeding on this matter, Case 08-M0593, to reach fruition before considering such legislation.

Given that the Commission is already working closely with numerous stakeholders – electricity providers, telecommunications providers, independent telephone companies, cable television companies and municipalities and the Department of Transportation, S.7469/A.10577 is unnecessary and duplicative. Case 08-M0593 addresses the implementation of a database for new pole installments and the establishment of a communication system in a way that would “allow pole owners and attaching entities to better manage their efforts to avoid conflicts.”

A key component to the state’s recovery must be the support of industries that, despite the recession, are investing in our communities, driving innovation and generating economic growth. New York State cannot continue to penalize Buffalo Niagara companies that are doing just that. I urge you to halt the consideration of this bill until the Public Service Commission’s presents their proposal for a cooperative resolution to the matter of the inspection and replacement of the state’s telephone poles.

Sincerely,
 
Andrew J. Rudnick 

cc.    WNY state delegation