Sec. 16-50ll. Annual report re backup power for telecommunications towers and antennas during electric service outages. Study re feasibility of backup power requirements.

(a) On or before October 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, each provider of mobile radio service, as defined in 47 CFR 20.3, shall submit a report to the Connecticut Siting Council and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection concerning each such provider's ability to provide backup power during an electric service outage for any telecommunications tower or antenna owned, leased or operated by such provider and each such provider's plans concerning such backup power. Any information provided in the report submitted pursuant to this section shall be considered confidential, not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, and such information shall not be transmitted to any person except as needed to comply with this section.

(b) As the reliability of such mobile radio service is considered to be in the public interest and necessary for public health and safety, after such initial report is submitted, the Connecticut Siting Council, in consultation and in coordination with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, shall study the feasibility of requiring backup power for telecommunications towers and antennas.

(c) Such study shall consider (1) the federal, state and local jurisdictional issues of such backup power requirements, including, but not limited to, siting issues, (2) similar laws or initiatives in other states, (3) the technical and legal feasibility of such backup power requirements, (4) the environmental issues concerning such backup power, and (5) any other issue concerning backup power that the authority deems relevant to such study.

(d) On or before January 1, 2013, the authority shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations and a proposed plan for deploying backup power, if such backup power is determined to be feasible, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy, public safety and planning and development.

(P.A. 12-148, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 12-148 effective June 15, 2012.