Tuesday, March 19, is the last chance to submit comments to the California Public Utilities Commission on AT&T’s application seeking to discontinue landline service throughout much of Plumas County and a large swath of rural California.
Robert Rose and his wife are among the Plumas County residents protesting the loss of landline service. The Roses, who lived at Shaver Lake in the central Sierra Nevada, endured two harrowing evacuations from the 2020 Creek Fire, California’s second-largest single fire after the 2021 Dixie Fire. It burned 379,895 acres and destroyed 856 buildings, including the Rose home and their business growing giant sequoia seedlings.
When they relocated to Meadow Valley, they were well aware of the importance of landlines during emergencies. But AT&T denied their request for a landline.
Those who have experienced wildfire need dependable, affordable telephone service to restore their livelihood and provide reliable access to emergency services, Rose said. Dozens of their neighbors have joined the Rose family in appealing to the CPUC to deny AT&T’s request to discontinue landline service in rural California.
AT&T’s application
In its Jan. 22 notice to customers, the multinational telecommunications company asked the CPUC to “remove <its> obligation under California law” to provide traditional landline telephone service in a portion of its territory that includes Plumas County.
Since filing its application, widespread public protest prompted an undated response from AT&T. Marc Blakeman, president of the company’s California and Pacific states region, said customers and public officials were “given the wrong impression” by the CPUC notices issues in January.
“We want to modernize the home phone — not take it away,” he said in a letter read March 5 by Plumas County Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Hagwood. “Our commitment is that no customer will be left without service in this transition.”
Plumas County officials have discounted the letter. Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns said sheriffs throughout rural California are concerned that the transition in service AT&T proposes will jeopardize 911 service. AT&T is the only carrier for emergency 911 service for much of Plumas County, said Mike Grant, communications director for the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office. While some equipment for a next-generation 911 system is in place, it has not been connected, he said.
The Plumas supervisors sent a letter March 5 to the CPUC protesting the loss of landlines.
Joining the Rose family in their protest against the AT&T petition are numerous individuals and the Portola-based nonpartisan group Plumas Wired. Josh Hart, the group’s representative, is urging local residents to make their voices heard in support of local copper landline access.
“This is the not-to-miss biggie,” he said. “Many of us in Plumas and Sierra counties do not have any alternative whatsoever to AT&T’s copper landline service, which is literally a lifeline.”
Ways to contact CPUC
Two virtual hearings are scheduled for March 19 at 2 and 6 p.m. in a public forum to be broadcast live, with both English and Spanish captions via webcast. Participants can make public comments by calling 1-800-857-1917 and entering passcode 6032788#. Wait times depend on the number of speakers in the public comment queue. The operator will call on participants when it is their turn to speak. The public forums will be recorded and archived for future viewing, a CPUC spokesman said.
CPUC also accepts comments via written letter to CPUC Public Advisor, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102. The CPUC is also accepting comments submitted via email at [email protected] and via toll-free phone at 866-849-8390. Additional information about commenting on the AT&T proposal is available here.
