W. Va. Code R. § 150-38-3

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 150-38-3 - Duty to provide access; modifications; notice of removal, increase or modification; petition for temporary stay; and cable operator notice

3.1. A utility shall provide a cable television system or any telecommunications carrier with nondiscriminatory access to any pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way owned or controlled by it. Notwithstanding this obligation, a utility may deny a cable television system or any telecommunications carrier access to its poles, ducts, conduits, or rights-of-way, on a nondiscriminatory basis where there is insufficient capacity or for reasons of safety, reliability and generally applicable engineering purposes.

3.2. Requests for access to a utility's poles, ducts, conduits or rights-of-way by a telecommunications carrier or cable operator must be in writing. If access is not granted within 45 days of the request for access, the utility must confirm the denial in writing by the 45th day. The utility's denial of access shall be specific, shall include all relevant evidence and information supporting its denial, and shall explain how such evidence and information relate to a denial of access for reasons of lack of capacity, safety, reliability or engineering standards.

3.3. A utility shall provide a cable television system or telecommunications carrier no less than 60 days written notice prior to:

3.3.1. Removal of facilities or termination of any service to those facilities, such removal or termination arising out of a rate, term or condition of the cable television system operator's or telecommunications carrier's pole attachment agreement;

3.3.2. Any increase in pole attachment rates; or

3.3.3. Any modification of facilities by the utility, other than make-ready noticed pursuant to Rule 10.5, routine maintenance, or modification in response to emergencies.

3.3.4. A cable television system operator or telecommunications carrier may file a "Petition for Temporary Stay" of the action contained in a notice received pursuant to Rule 3.3 within 15 days of receipt of such notice. Such submission shall not be considered unless it includes, in concise terms, the relief sought, the reasons for such relief, including a showing of irreparable harm and likely cessation of cable television service or telecommunication service, a copy of the notice, and certification of service as required by Rule 4.2. The utility may file an answer within 7 days of the date the Petition for Temporary Stay was filed. No further filings under this section will be considered unless authorized by the Commission.

3.3.5. Cable operators must notify pole owners upon offering telecommunications services.

W. Va. Code R. § 150-38-3