New resolutions passed yesterday by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) codify the group’s opinions about the state of American telecommunications.

The non-profit organization represents state-level administrators.  Issues discussed at the group’s annual convention in Portland, Ore., include bringing broadband adoption to low-income families, for which NARAC “seeks to provide innovative technological solutions,” the resolution states.

The organization also “directs the General Counsel of NARUC to compile, by the best means available, a report on the status of pole attachment regulation across the United States including a comprehensive list of appropriate best practices which could be employed by other states,” in time for next year’s convention in New Orleans.

In addition, NARUC “supports further exploration of the role of broadband technologies as part of an economy-wide approach to carbon emissions reduction and energy conservation,” and that “the Task Force on Climate Policy, working with standing NARUC committees, should investigate the role that telecommunications and information technologies can play in improving the environment and energy conservation and should consider and develop, as appropriate, educational opportunities and proposed resolutions,” officials said.

The group made multiple resolutions about consumer protection for wireless services, stating, “NARUC recommends the formation of a Joint Task Force or Working Group… that includes three FCC Commissioners, five State commissioners, an industry representative, a representative of the State Attorneys General, and a consumer advocate to engage in a collaborative process (including public comments and reply comments to ensure the transparency of the process) to mutually agree upon set of uniform national wireless consumer protection standards.”  That committee would hold public meetings, submit its findings to Congress yet maintain state-level authorities, and “authorizes and directs the staff and General Counsel to promote, with the Federal Communications Commission, Congress, and other policymakers at the federal level, policies consistent with this statement.”

Also, NARAC “recognizes that state commissions should continue their active role in ensuring that consumers enjoy the full and unconstrained benefits of local competition for voice telecommunications services” and that carriers’ interconnection rights and traffic exchange obligations should be done “in a technologically neutral manner,” the group concluded.

NARAC’s meeting also covered consumer affairs, electricity, energy and environmental resources, gas and water.  The group also discussed its subcommittee on education and research.  A summary of all the issues addressed is here.