The past several months have been very busy and productive at the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC). As we continue our work into the winter months, I wanted to share a quarterly update on our efforts over the past three months since the Summer 2024 District 4 Update.

 

I am Eric Kamler, your Commissioner for the 4th District of the Nebraska Public Service Commission,
which covers 31 counties of Nebraska. The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is a five-member elected statewide board that
oversees several industries affecting our everyday lives, including broadband internet and telecommunications, the 911 network contract, oil and natural gas pipeline routes and regulation, railroad lines, commercial grain storage licensing, commercial ground transportation licensing and regulation, and modular/manufactured housing safety regulation.

 

Telecommunications and broadband issues were again a major focus this past quarter. The Commission launched the second NUSF Reverse Auction of 2024 to redistribute unused Nebraska Universal Service Fund dollars for rural broadband expansion. $17.2 million in NUSF rural
broadband expansion dollars were awarded to competing internet providers through a bidding
process to build out unserved areas of rural Nebraska.

 

Commissioners hosted a hearing in Fordyce, Nebraska to hear from several local customers requesting a telecommunications service boundary change from their current provider. We also hosted a hearing on proposed changes to broadband provider speed data reporting requirements.

 

The Commission also reviewed and approved a list of eligible telecommunications providers for Nebraska who are qualified to receive Nebraska & Federal Universal Service Funds in high-cost and unserved areas of the state.

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The PSC also hosted a hearing to consider modifications to the PSC's telecommunications providers' service outage reporting requirements. Lastly, hearings continued on collecting input from broadband providers on proposed modifications and improvements to the Nebraska Universal Service Fund High-Cost program to deploy NUSF dollars better and more efficiently for more rural broadband expansion.

 

On the 911 Department front, the investigation into the Windstream 911 outages concluded with a formal complaint then filed in the Telecommunications Department, Commissioners appointed a new member to the 911 Service System Advisory Committee, we voted unanimously to expand the ongoing Lumen 911 outage investigation to include the July 9, 2024 Lumen 911 network outage, and the PSC held a hearing to set the Enhanced-911 Surcharge Fees for 2025 to fund the adoption of Enhanced-911 across Nebraska.

 

In the PSC Transportation Department, we approved several new passenger carrier transportation companies and their rates, as well as licenses for several new household goods moving companies. Hearings were also held for several non-compliant transportation companies and Commissioners hosted a hearing to determine the annual fee for Transportation Network Companies. Commissioners reviewed railroad complaints received by the PSC Team and we held another hearing on potential rules modifications regarding driver requirements for employees of railroad company employee transportation carriers.

 

In the Natural Gas Department, the PSC approved a review of natural gas supplies for Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy and hosted quarterly status meetings with both companies. In addition, Commissioners voted unanimously to allow NorthWestern Energy to begin negotiations for a natural gas rate increase to their customer base in Nebraska. Also, another hearing was held on Choice Natural Gas Programs offered in Nebraska to discuss how they can be better communicated to customers.

 

In the PSC Grain Department, the PSC approved several grain warehouse and grain dealer license applicants while some voluntarily cancelled their licenses before harvest began. Commissioners also hosted a hearing and updated several grain warehouse and grain dealer rules and regulations.

 

Also in the past quarter, Commissioners unanimously approved the 2025-2027 biennial budget request to the Legislature which featured a 5% overall decrease in agency funding requested compared to the previous biennial budget. Over 80% of the PSC budget request is again allocated to the Nebraska Universal Service Fund & Broadband Bridge rural broadband expansion and maintenance programs.

 

Lastly, Commissioners voted to upgrade the audio equipment in the PSC hearing room for the first time since 2006 to allow the public to join meetings virtually more easily and better listen to our hearings. The old system was experiencing many problems and, at times, limiting full public access and participation.

It has been a busy past three months at the PSC and I pledge to continue working hard for the people of the 4th District and will keep sharing these quarterly updates to all local newspapers, media outlets, and on my social media pages.

 

I also want to extend my appreciation and gratitude for the hardworking and dedicated team at the PSC for their help in the implementation of the work of the Commissioners that is highlighted each quarter.

 

If you have any questions or issues related to the PSC or PSC regulated industries, please reach out to our office at 402-471-3101 or by email at eric.kamler@nebraska.gov.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve and to continue to work towards making Nebraska an even better place to call home.

 

Eric M. Kamler
Commissioner-Public Service Commission District 4