With phone service tied to electric power and outages apt to be more frequent and long with climate change, there is increasing discussion for alternative actions. The Public Utility Commission has held workshops to garner input for recommendations for the legislature. Jonathan Gibson and I were at the most recent of these in Montpelier on August 20. The towns of Andover, Mount Holly, Shrewsbury and Tinmouth are actively involved in the discussions.For the short term, the group is responding to the legislature's request for the PUC to "recommend best practices for minimizing disruptions to E-911 services during power outages" through four categories:
"(1) Consumer education and community outreach;
(2) Technical financial assistance to consumers and communities;
(3) Cost-effective and technologically efficient ways in which providers or alternative entities can provide such information and assistance; and
(4) Ongoing monitoring of provider compliance with backup power obligations."

Other questions for the mid and long term may well need to be raised to insure the availability of telephone service (whether cell or land lines) during extended outages in our rural areas accompanied by dangerous weather conditions. Though not in discussion yet, doing this may require rethinking the current linking of phone, internet and electrical systems. We know from blackouts and ransom ware problems that the electrical grid may be in process of becoming more vulnerable rather than less.

In our towns we may not know how many vulnerable individuals and families we have using lifeline or other services requiring assistance quickly.

Dec 17, 2024, 1 to 4 PM

Dec 19, 2024, 12 to 3 PM

Dec 22, 2024, 3 to 5 PM