Utilities Must Track FCC Licensing, Spectrum Issues

Bracewell’s Jacqueline R. Java and Catherine P. McCarthy examine in Law360 how energy and water companies rely on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses for critical communications needs.

Even though utilities are recognized as being subject to significant government regulation, when you think about federal regulation that affects power, gas and water companies, FCC regulation does not instinctively come to mind.

However, many energy and water companies rely on FCC licenses for critical communications needs, such as remotely monitoring and/or controlling equipment, gathering data related to services or operations, and coordinating the activities of workers and machines on location. These licenses create ongoing compliance concerns for all FCC licensees, including utilities.

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