The agenda for UTC's monthly members-only Public Policy Division call was announced today. Among the items included are discussions on the cybersecurity and 700 D Block bills being debated in Congress. The call is scheduled for Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 2-3pm ET. To RSVP for the call, email legal@utc.org.

Cybersecurity Bills: The Senate Commerce and Homeland Security Committees resumed deliberations on a comprehensive cybersecurity bill. As currently drafted, DHS authority would be expanded to include cybersecurity standards and compliance enforcement, a departure from the current public-private partnership framework for the 17 critical infrastructure sector coordinating counsels. Utilities could be subject to multiple, perhaps conflicting regulatory authority over cybersecurity issues, particularly as they concern NERC CIP standards development. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and seven committee chairs introduced a placeholder cybersecurity bill, indicating Reid’s intent to bring the issue to the Senate floor later this session.

700 D Block: Late last month, Sen. Rockefeller reintroduced his bill allocating the 700 D block to public safety for the creation of a nationwide, broadband emergency response network. Last week, the Administration added its support to this proposal, in a reversal of its former position and in a repudiation of the position of FCC Chair Genachowski and the National Broadband Plan that the D block should be auctioned. Rockefeller’s bill, identical to that introduced last Congress, specifies a preference for existing commercial infrastructure and build-out of the new network as well as technical requirements and secondary access for non-public safety entities, effectively limiting public safety/utility partnership opportunities. House Energy and Commerce Committee support seems highly unlikely. Read more »