The Official Publication of the Power & Communication Contractors Association Balderson Introduces Bill to Bolster Long-Term Electric Grid Reliability Labor Department Releases Guidance on AI Usage in the Workplace PCCA Advocacy in Washington’s New Political Landscape PCCA Year-End Product Showcase 4th Quarter 2024 Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Fiber to the Home
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4th Quarter 2024 Official Publication of the Power & Communication Contractors Association Publication Staff PO Box 638 Churchton, Maryland 20733 (800) 542-PCCA • www.pccaweb.org ©2024 Power & Communication Contractors Association Publisher Timothy Wagner Editor Michael Ancell Associate Editor Caroline Ferguson Advertising Sales Stacy Bowdring Photography Jorge de Casanova Information Technology Greg Smela Accounting James Wagner Layout & Design Joseph Wagner Labor Department Releases Guidance on AI Usage in the Workplace 12 By Greg Guidry Like it or not, artificial intelligence is here and is not going away. Employers need to understand it and know how to handle issues that might impact their workplace. This article looks at guidance issued in October from the Labor Department on the use of AI in the workplace. Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Fiber to the Home 15 By Loren Brace The telecommunications industry has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades, with fiber to the home networks becoming a cornerstone of modern connectivity. As the demand for high-speed internet grows, so does the need for efficient management, deployment, and optimization of these networks. The advent of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era of innovation, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance network performance and customer experience. This article explores the differences between old tools and AI-driven solutions in the context of FTTH markets. PCCA Year-End Product Showcase 38 Inside Washington | By Zack Perconti & Jaime Steve 7 Power News 20 Broadband News 24 News Briefs 31 Safety Watch 36 New PCCA Members 46 Industry Calendar 46 Advertiser Index 46 Officer Directors Board of Directors Garrett Akin Brooks Construction Co., LLC Nick Anderson Anderson Underground, Inc. Bonnie Burnham Service Electric Company Ed Campbell Quanta Services, Inc. John Capodice Sterling Site Access Solutions Andy Christine Sellenriek Construction, Inc. Josh DeBruine Michels Corporation Tucker Dotson (Advisory) Ditch Witch John Fluharty (Advisory) Troy Construction Tom Fredericks American Polywater Corporation Robin Gilbertson J&R Underground, LLC Jerrod Henschel Mears Group, Inc. Jake Jeffords Vermeer Corporation Tommy Muse, Jr. Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Inc. - Retired Sam Stephens Tjader & Highstrom Jason Tyler Brooks Construction Co., LLC Billy Vincent ElectriCom, Inc. Michael Whitebread J.J. Kane Auctioneers Chris Wozniak Intercon Construction, Inc. Chairman Matthew Gabrielse Gabe’s Construction Co., Inc Chairman-Elect Rob Pribyl MP Nexlevel, LLC. 1st Vice Chairman Craig Amerine Amerine Utilities Construction, Inc 2nd Vice Chairman Heath Sellenriek Sellenriek Construction Treasurer Chase Lapcinski Push, Inc. Secretary John Audi Mears Group, Inc.
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PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 7 PCCA’s Government Affairs program has been hard at work in 2024 defending the interests of the power and broadband construction industry, and our efforts have paid off. At the close of the 118th Congress and the end of the Biden administration, PCCA can look back and celebrate a year of hard work and success. Now, the shift to a Republican majority in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches signals significant changes in Washington’s political environment, and our continued engagement on Capitol Hill will be key to preserving and building on our hard-fought gains. Our year began with a joint PCCA-APCA fly-in in January. Building on a series of successful visits and outreach by our Government Affairs Committee members and staff, PCCA members had a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill to advocate for issues that matter most to our members. These efforts to promote infrastructure construction, workforce development, and permitting reform did not go unnoticed, receiving notable attention from congressional leadership. Soon, after the new Congress is seated and President Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term, PCCA members will return for our 2025 Fly-in. Those visits and our transition letter to the new administration will help us waste no time getting our perspective in front of the new leadership. Trump’s victory, with a commanding lead in electoral votes, alongside narrow Republican majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, primes the government for legislative and regulatory shifts. With unified government control, the Republican Party can push for major policy changes while receiving fewer bipartisan headwinds. Much of the 2025 legislative agenda is still taking shape, but Trump’s administration is expected to revisit his hallmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, as some provisions are set to expire, suggesting that revisions to the tax code will be coming shortly. This lame duck Congress has much to do and little time to accomplish it. Political leaders will be focusing on the transition process and negotiating an endof-year government funding agreement, leaving little room for other legislative priorities. With a Republican trifecta on the horizon, bipartisan bills like the Energy Permitting Act of 2024 will likely be shelved. On the other side of the aisle, Continued on page 8 Inside Washington Zack Perconti Co-Director of Government Affairs zperconti@pccaweb.org (703) 677-6049 Jaime Steve Co-Director of Government Affairs jsteve@pccaweb.org (202) 841-5493 PCCA Advocacy in Washington’s New Political Landscape Trump’s victory, with a commanding lead in electoral votes, alongside narrow Republican majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, primes the government for legislative and regulatory shifts.
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 8 Inside Washington Continued from page 7 Democrats will dedicate much of their little remaining time to judicial and board confirmations, including an anticipated push for Biden’s National Labor Relations Board Chair renomination, Lauren McFerran, in the hopes of solidifying Democratic control of the board through 2026. Trump has signaled his intent to drive a pro-business agenda. He is expected to prioritize deregulation, freeing our contractors from restrictive rules and allowing them to focus on growth and productivity rather than compliance red tape. This shift is welcome news for PCCA members, who have contested numerous Biden administration regulations that expanded employer liabilities and imposed stricter compliance requirements. Among the policies expected to be repealed or significantly altered are the joint-employer rules, independent contractor restrictions, and OSHA’s Worker Walkaround Rule and the new Heat Standard Rule, each of which has created challenges for employers across our industry. The new administration additionally stands to be an asset in PCCA’s efforts to reduce or eliminate all project labor agreement requirements for companies entering into contracts involving federal funding. Included in the outgoing Democratic leaders will be Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel. Since being seated, Rosenworcel has steered the commission toward controversial policies, including efforts to incorporate anti-digital discrimination practices into determining broadband deployment locations, pushing an agenda that individuals should be prioritized based on their income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin. In reality, many broadband programs were designed to connect all individuals, regardless of qualities unrelated to broadband deployment. Her exit paves the way for a Republican appointee more aligned with Trump’s pro-business agenda, potentially benefiting PCCA’s broadband deployment priorities. There is more reassuring news for the broadband construction industry: The Trump administration is expected to continue funding the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. While well-intentioned, the Biden administration’s rollout has been fraught with delays, and to date, not a single American has been connected through the BEAD program. Trump has been highly critical of bureaucratic barriers that the current administration has put in place on many issues, and this criticism is anticipated to extend to the BEAD’s bottlenecks. Newly elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.Dak.) will be a solid asset in accomplishing this goal. Earlier this year, he introduced the Accelerating Broadband Permits Act, which included provisions for tracking and expediting applications and increasing government transparency in the federal permitting process. Despite the legislation not moving outside the Senate, it is a hopeful sign that our new Senate can push through the permitting revisions that PCCA has been waiting for. PCCA will be working hard to support electric infrastructure spending. The Biden administration focused on modernizing the power grid to support transitions to renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. The incoming administration has promised to deprioritize renewable initiatives, opting to allocate resources elsewhere. However, this will be an uphill battle for the incoming president. The previous administration’s more significant electric infrastructure spending is intertwined with renewables, as enacted by Congress. Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which includes substantial funding for both broadband and electric infrastructure, will likely remain intact. Any effort to repeal the bipartisan law would require congressional approval. Despite holding the majority, Republican leaders will be hesitant given the law is written to benefit a significant portion of the party’s base voters, rural constituents. PCCA cannot afford to relax our advocacy efforts. Some proposals by the new administration bear monitoring—potential tariffs on goods, including critical construction materials and equipment (and the broader economic consequences), the potential workforce impact of a crackdown on immigration, and the repeal of parts of the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act. But PCCA and our industry allies will work closely with the administration and Congress, including when it is necessary to tell them they must take a different approach. For the last four years, the environment in Washington has presented no shortage of challenges for the power and broadband construction industry, but PCCA Government Affairs will remain committed to defending the industry’s interests in our nation’s capital. As we look toward the incoming administration, we will count on our dedicated members’ continued support and involvement. PCCA has helped deliver change in Washington, and now we need to follow through to help Congress and the next President deliver the pro-construction, pro-business policies they were elected to carry out. For the last four years, the environment in Washington has presented no shortage of challenges for the power and broadband construction industry, but PCCA Government Affairs will remain committed to defending the industry’s interests in our nation’s capital.
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 9 RUS Moves Broadband Funding While NTIA Sluggish on BEAD Program Despite what many have labeled a “Do-Nothing” Congress with little to no legislation passed into law, PCCA has managed some success this year through action by federal agencies such as the Rural Utility Service (RUS). Meanwhile, $42.5 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) has been essentially stalled. The RUS, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been effectively moving money from Washington, D.C., into actual broadband projects in many states. Throughout the process, PCCA members have worked closely with RUS’s Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Telecommunications & Rural Development, to provide their views from the frontlines of broadband deployment. RUS’s ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loangrant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America that currently do not have sufficient access to broadband. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program fuels longterm rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. In mid-October, Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced nearly $173 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers, and business owners to reliable high-speed internet in ten states: North Dakota and South Dakota, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Virginia. These projects are being financed by the fifth round of the ReConnect Program. “Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs,” Gooden said. “Thanks to USDA’s ReConnect Program, we are connecting the most rural and remote communities to a global marketplace. The investments we are announcing today will drive economic security and rural prosperity for generations to come.” Map With Centimeter-Level Accuracy The UtiliGuard™ 2 RTK isn’t a best guess. It’s best-grade. Built with RTK technology* and compatible with a range of high-accuracy mapping solutions, the RTK brings survey-grade accuracy to your mapping—helping you pinpoint utilities down to the very centimeter**. Subsite.com/RTK ©2024 The Charles Machine Works, Inc. *May require third-party correction service **Requires MyUtiliGuard® app to achieve centimeter-level accuracy The RUS, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been effectively moving money from Washington, D.C., into actual broadband projects in many states. Continued on page 10
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 10 Since 2020, USDA has invested $3.7 billion in 338 ReConnect projects, financed in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and brought high-speed internet access to more than 485,000 people in the hardest to reach communities of rural America. The latest round of funding provided a nearly $4 million loan for the Table Top Telephone Company in Arizona to provide high-speed internet that will benefit 766 people, 21 businesses, and 39 farms in Yavapai County. In New Mexico, Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative is receiving a $29 million loan to provide high-speed internet that will benefit residents, businesses, and farms in Chaves, De Baca, Lea, and Roosevelt counties. BEAD Funding Moves at Glacial Pace Three years after Congress passed the huge bipartisan infrastructure bill, the $42.5 billion dollars for building out highspeed broadband has yet to be spent on actual projects aimed at closing the digital divide. PCCA has been raising concerns about the very slow pace and overly complex process for moving funding into building projects. Shortly before the November elections, the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce started investigating the snail’s pace of BEAD funding. In September, the committee hosted a three-hour hearing on the BEAD program. The hearing covered difficulties some states are having getting the program to the starting line, with fingers pointed at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for a lack of timely guidance. But it also highlighted that challenges with BEAD largely come from or could be alleviated by Congress. The hearing also touched on how the BEAD process is maddeningly complex and bureaucratic. The BEAD hearing followed a recent flurry of headlines lamenting the lack of real action to build broadband infrastructure and blaming the Biden administration and NTIA. BEAD funds have been anticipated for several months, thanks in part to the process set by Congress in 2021. That process necessitated that BEAD allocations per state be made using a new Federal Communications Commission broadband map, which was finalized for BEAD use in May 2023. Thus, the NTIA was unable to set BEAD allocations until June of last year. Concerns With NTIA’s Administration of BEAD Kicking off the hearing, Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said, “Republicans on this committee have been vocal about our concern that NTIA’s self-imposed guidelines for BEAD will undermine the program’s success, leading to wasted tax dollars while leaving Americans without the broadband access they need to succeed in their everyday life.” “Unfortunately, NTIA has only furthered our concerns by taking actions that will lead to increased costs and longer timelines for broadband deployment. NTIA’s decision to pressure states to regulate the rates charged for broadband service—despite the law strictly prohibiting rate regulation— will make this program less attractive to the providers needed to participate for BEAD’s success.” Rodgers also said, “NTIA is also using the program to push a radical agenda with unnecessary workforce and climaterelated requirements which will make this program more expensive to operate, diverting important dollars that should be used to connect more Americans.” PCCA continues working closely with RUS to keep project funding moving and with Rodgers and her committee to insist on changing the BEAD program to make it function more like the successful RUS program. Cleaners for Every Project • Fiber Optic Cables • Hand and Tool • Insulated Rubber Goods • Live Line Tool www.polywater.com 800-328-9384 651-430-2270 Inside Washington Continued from page 9
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PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 12 Like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is here and is not going away. Employers need to understand it and know how to handle issues that might impact their workplace. On October 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released comprehensive guidance for the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. This publication is a direct response to an Executive Order issued by President Biden almost one year ago. The guidance can be found at dol.gov/ai. The DOL guidelines are “non-binding and [do] not supersede or modify any current policy, statute, or regulation.” The stated intent of the guidelines is “to aid employers and developers in mitigating potential harm to employees and maximizing the potential benefits of AI.” The guidance provides eight core principles that the DOL says should govern the use of AI in workplaces. The following list highlights the main points of the guidance: No. 1: Centering worker empowerment by ensuring that workers, especially those from underserved communities, are both informed about and actively involved in the design, deployment, and oversight of AI systems in the workplace. No. 2: Ethically developing AI to protect employee rights, avoid risks to employees, and meet performance and safety standards. No. 3: Establishing AI governance and human oversight in the use of AI systems, especially in significant employment decisions like hiring, compensation, and terminations. No. 4: Ensuring transparency in AI use by ensuring that employees and applicants are aware of the AI systems being used, the data being collected, and the impact of the use of AI on employment decisions. No. 5: Protecting labor and employment rights by ensuring that the AI systems do not violate or undermine the right of employees to organize, their health and safety rights, their wage and hour protections, or their protections against discrimination and retaliation. No. 6: Using AI to enable employees. In other words, AI should help employees by reducing the time spent on certain tasks and giving them the opportunities to enhance their skills. The DOL also recommends that employees should be rewarded for any increased productivity resulting from the use of AI. No. 7: Supporting workers affected by AI by providing training and opportunities to help employees adapt to AI-driven changes and mitigate the risks of job displacement. No. 8: Ensuring responsible use of employee data. The DOL recommends that use of employee data be limited to what is necessary for legitimate business purposes and that employers protect that data from internal and external threats. Human Resources Greg Guidry Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart greg.guidry@ogletree.com (337) 769-6583 Department of Labor Releases Guidance on AI Usage in the Workplace The stated intent of the guidelines is “to aid employers and developers in mitigating potential harm to employees and maximizing the potential benefits of AI.”
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 13 Additional Recommendations Additionally, the DOL also encourages employers to stay aware of legislative decisions and regulations surrounding the use of AI. The following is a summary of the DOL’s additional recommendations: • Employers should allow employees to be actively involved in AI system decisions to foster transparency, worker trust, and meaningful input. • As AI alters job functions, employers are urged to offer training programs to help employees transition to changing roles within the organization. Employers should also ensure that employees have adequate training on the proper use of AI in the workplace. • Companies should establish governance structures to ensure that AI does not replace human decision-making in critical employment areas. Julie Su, Acting Secretary of Labor, said in an Introductory Note to the guidance, “The Department of Labor will remain vigilant in protecting workers from the potential harms of AI, while at the same time, recognizing that this is a moment of tremendous opportunity. Whether AI in the workplace creates harm for workers and deepens inequality or supports workers and unleashes expansive opportunity depends (in large part) on the decisions we make. The stakes are high. But with these best practices and principles . . . we can seize this moment and promote innovation and prosperity for all.” Most of the federal labor and employment agencies, e.g., the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, either have or are working on releasing their own guidances on AI. Stay tuned as this phenomenon continues to develop. Building Connectivity Across America Atkore stands with you, ready to provide the conduit necessary to complete your projects on time. Our national manufacturing network means conduit where you need it, whenever you need it. Scan Here to Learn More Conforms to BABA Most of the federal labor and employment agencies, e.g., the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, either have or are working on releasing their own guidances on AI.
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PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 15 The telecommunications industry has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades, with fiber to the home (FTTH) networks becoming a cornerstone of modern connectivity. As the demand for high-speed internet grows, so does the need for efficient management, deployment, and optimization of these networks. Traditionally, FTTH networks were managed using a combination of legacy tools and manual processes. However, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of innovation, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance network performance and customer experience. This article explores the differences between old tools and AI-driven solutions in the context of FTTH markets. Traditional Tools in FTTH Network Management Historically, FTTH network management relied heavily on manual processes and legacy software tools. These traditional methods, while effective in their time, had limitations in scalability, efficiency, and accuracy: 1. Manual Network Design and Planning • Tools used: Engineers often used computer-aided design software and geographic information systems to design network layouts. These tools required significant human input and were prone to errors. • Limitations: The manual nature of these processes made them time-consuming and limited in scope. Design accuracy depended heavily on the experience and expertise of individual engineers, leading to potential inefficiencies in network coverage and resource allocation. 2. Reactive Maintenance and Fault Detection • Tools used: Legacy systems for network monitoring were often reactive, relying on alarms triggered by faults or customer complaints. • Limitations: This approach was inherently reactive, addressing problems only after they occurred. It often led to longer downtimes and reduced customer satisfaction. 3. Customer Support and Service Management • Tools Used: Traditional customer relationship management systems were used to track service requests, handle billing, and manage customer interactions. Support was often provided through call centers and in-person visits. • Limitations: Customer support was largely reactive and time intensive. The lack of automation and real-time data often resulted in longer resolution times and less personalized service. 4. Static Traffic Management • Tools used: Traffic management in traditional FTTH networks relied on predefined rules and manual adjustments. Bandwidth allocation and load balancing were managed using basic network management protocols. AI and the Future of Fiber to the Home By Loren Brace Continued on page 16
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 16 • Limitations: The static nature of traffic management meant that networks could not dynamically adjust to changing demand, leading to congestion during peak times and underutilization during off-peak periods. The Emergence of AI-Driven Solutions The integration of AI into FTTH network management has revolutionized how networks are designed, deployed, and maintained. AI-driven solutions offer automation, predictive analytics, and real-time optimization, but risks still remain: 1. AI-Powered Network Design and Planning • AI tools: Platforms like Google Cloud AI and Microsoft Azure AI use machine learning algorithms to analyze vast datasets, including geographic information, customer density, and existing infrastructure. • Advantages: AI-driven design tools can automatically generate the most efficient network layouts, reducing deployment costs and ensuring better coverage. Predictive modeling enables proactive planning for future demand, ensuring that networks can scale efficiently. • Risks: AI predictions or decisions may not always be accurate, leading to design errors, suboptimal routing, or incorrect infrastructure assessments. 2. Proactive Maintenance and Fault Prediction • AI tools: AI platforms like IBM Watson and AWS AI/ML can monitor network performance in real-time, using machine learning to detect anomalies and predict equipment failures before they occur. • Advantages: Proactive maintenance significantly reduces downtime and improves customer satisfaction. AI-driven systems can automatically dispatch maintenance teams and suggest preemptive repairs, minimizing service disruptions. • Risks: Integrating AI into existing FTTH processes can be challenging, particularly if the existing infrastructure and workflows are not designed to accommodate AI technologies. This can lead to operational disruptions, inefficiencies, or even system failures during the transition. 3. Automated and Personalized Customer Support • AI tools: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, such as those offered by platforms like DataRobot and Azure AI, can handle a wide range of customer queries, from troubleshooting to account management. AI and Fiber to the Home Continued from page 15
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 17 • Advantages: AI enhances customer support by providing instant responses, reducing the need for human intervention. AI systems can also analyze customer data to offer personalized services and recommendations, improving customer engagement and loyalty. • Risks: AI systems require vast amounts of data to train models, such as customer data, geographic information, and infrastructure details. If this data is not adequately protected, it could be vulnerable to cyberattacks, unauthorized access, or misuse. 4. Dynamic Traffic Management • AI tools: AI algorithms, particularly those from platforms like NVIDIA AI and C3 AI, can dynamically adjust network parameters based on real-time traffic conditions, optimizing bandwidth allocation and reducing latency. • Advantages: AI-driven traffic management ensures a consistent and high-quality user experience. Networks can automatically adapt to changing conditions, maximizing efficiency and minimizing congestion. • Risks: AI models trained on historical data might inadvertently learn and replicate biases present in the data. AI Platforms Revolutionizing FTTH Markets As fiber to the home technology continues to expand, AI platforms are playing an increasingly critical role in revolutionizing the industry. These platforms offer advanced solutions that enhance network planning, operations, and customer experience. 1. Google Cloud AI Platform • Key features: Provides tools for building, training, and deploying machine learning models. • Applications in FTTH: It can be used for predictive modeling in network design, demand forecasting, and traffic management. 2. Microsoft Azure AI • Key features: A comprehensive suite of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and cognitive services. • Applications in FTTH: It can be utilized for automating network operations, personalized customer service, and network security through advanced threat detection and response mechanisms. The All-New TriTrax™ System on the SK1750. Designed with a patent-pending tension window, the new TriTrax System on the SK1750 allows you to quickly read your track tension with a simple glance. Plus, redesigned rollers and an upgraded outer frame will help you steamroll work and keep your job on track. ©2024 The Charles Machine Works, Inc. Continued on page 18
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 18 AI and Fiber to the Home Continued from page 17 3. IBM Watson • Key features: AI-driven data analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning capabilities. It offers industry-specific solutions and can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. • Applications in FTTH: Can be used for customer experience enhancement through personalized services, automated support, and intelligent resource allocation in network operations. 4. H2O.ai • Key Features: An open-source platform for AI and machine learning, known for its user-friendly interface and highperformance algorithms. It supports both supervised and unsupervised learning. • Applications in FTTH: Can be used for demand forecasting, predictive modeling, and anomaly detection in network operations, providing a cost-effective solution for data-driven decision-making. 5. DataRobot • Key features: An automated machine learning platform that allows users to build and deploy AI models without needing extensive programming knowledge. • Applications in FTTH: Can be used for automating customer service processes, predictive maintenance, and optimizing network operations through data-driven insights. 6. C3 AI • Key features: A suite of AI applications tailored for enterprise needs, including predictive analytics, IoT integration, and data management. It provides tools for building and deploying AI models at scale. • Applications in FTTH: Can be applied to network design and planning, smart home integration, and supply chain management. The Future of FTTH with AI The integration of AI into FTTH markets represents a significant leap forward in network management and customer experience. AI-driven solutions not only offer alternatives to the use of traditional tools but also open new possibilities for innovation and efficiency. Utilizing AI in FTTH markets can significantly enhance various aspects of the deployment, maintenance, and optimization processes: 1. Network Design and Planning • Predictive modeling: AI can analyze geographical data, customer density, and existing infrastructure to predict the most cost-effective and efficient routes for fiber deployment. • Demand forecasting: AI can predict future demand for FTTH services based on historical data, demographic trends, and other variables, allowing companies to plan network expansions proactively. 2. Automating Network Operations • Fault detection and diagnosis: AI can monitor network performance in real-time and detect anomalies or potential issues before they escalate into serious problems. This includes predicting equipment failures and automatically dispatching maintenance crews to address issues. • Traffic management: AI can dynamically adjust network parameters to optimize traffic flow, reduce latency, and manage bandwidth more effectively, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience. 3. Customer Experience Enhancement • Personalized services: AI can analyze customer usage patterns to offer personalized service packages, upsell opportunities, and tailor marketing campaigns that are more likely to resonate with specific customer segments. • Automated support: AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can handle a wide range of customer queries, from troubleshooting connectivity issues to managing account information, thereby reducing the burden on human support staff. 4. Cost Optimization • Resource allocation: AI can optimize the allocation of resources such as labor, equipment, and capital by analyzing real-time data and making adjustments as needed. • Supply chain management: AI can forecast supply chain needs based on project timelines and market conditions, ensuring that materials and equipment are available when needed without overstocking. 5. Network Security • Threat detection: AI can enhance cybersecurity by detecting unusual patterns of activity that might indicate a security breach. It can also automate responses to certain types of threats, minimizing the risk of network downtime or data breaches. • Access control: AI can improve the security of FTTH networks by managing and monitoring access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can make changes to the network. 6. Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 19 • Data management: AI can automate the collection and analysis of data required for regulatory compliance, ensuring that all reporting is accurate and up to date. • Monitoring compliance: AI can continuously monitor network operations to ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations, identifying potential issues before they result in penalties. Incorporating AI into FTTH markets can drive efficiencies, reduce costs, improve service quality, and enhance customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to a more competitive and profitable business model. Conclusion The integration of AI platforms into FTTH markets is not just a trend but a necessity for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. AI platforms like C3 AI and H2O.ai are leading the way in transforming how FTTH networks are planned, managed, and optimized. Meanwhile, Google Cloud AI, IBM Watson, and Microsoft Azure AI are enhancing customer interactions and safeguarding network operations. By embracing these AI platforms, FTTH providers can achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver superior service to their customers, paving the way for the next generation of fiber networks. Sources 1. https://openfiber.it/en/open-fiber-world/news/the-futureof-fiber-optic-networks-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/ 2. https://digitaldefynd.com/IQ/artificial-intelligence-casestudies/ 3. https://www.telecomramblings.com/2024/01/chartingthe-fiber-frontier-trends-challenges-and-opportunities-for2024-and-beyond/ 4. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/ai/ 5. https://aws.amazon.com/machine-learning/ 6. https://www.h2o.ai/ 7. https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/ai-data-science/ 8. https://c3.ai/ 9. https://www.datarobot.com/ 10. https://www.ibm.com/watson 11. https://www.esri.com/en-us/artificial-intelligence/overview EXCAVATION VERIFICATION KIT Nothing feels better than knowing you are prepared on the jobsite. With FS3's compact EV3-Kit, you'll have all the tools you need when locating to easily mark and record buried fiber optic cables, electrical lines, and utilities prior to starting your project. When damages occur, you'll have the appropriate documentation to help "CYA" and eliminate any liability! DO YOU: DIG? LOCATE? EXCAVATE? 320-274-7223 9030 64th ST NW - Annandale, MN 55302 www.fs3inc.biz Then, you need to: CYA Cover your A** EV3-KIT DON’T TAKE A HIT, GET THE EV-KIT -MORE COMPACT -CUSTOMIZABLE -BEST PRICE ON THE MARKET COMPACTS TO: 13” x 10” x 2”
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 20 POWER NEWS USDA Second Round of ERA Funding The USDA’s recent $7 billion investment in energy infrastructure is the latest step in the administration’s push toward more affordable and reliable electricity. This initiative, known as Empowering Rural America (ERA), places significant emphasis on electric construction to support last-mile communities. The funding for this project was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act. Across America, isolated communities have faced unique energy reliability and affordability challenges. However, this program addresses these specific needs, focusing on upgrading existing electric infrastructure and constructing new facilities capable of handling increased electricity demand. These projects span critical components such as electrical grid upgrades, installing energy storage facilities, and building transmission lines to enhance power access and grid resilience. Building on the $7.3 billion allocated earlier in September, this new wave of investment intensifies efforts to provide rural energy solutions and reliable power infrastructure. This second round will continue to fund efforts to deliver affordable, resilient electricity to around five million households across 23 states, covering 20 percent of the nation’s isolated homes, farms, businesses, and schools. The efforts are expected to generate over 16,000 construction jobs, lower energy costs for rural communities, and strengthen grid resilience to meet rising electricity demand. DOE Takes Steps to Strengthen the Nation’s Power Grid The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is taking significant steps to strengthen the nation’s power grid through the Grid Resilience Innovation Partnership (GRIP) program, allocating over $3.5 billion in funding. This initiative aims to enhance grid resilience in the face of increasing climate-related threats and natural disasters, such as wildfires, hurricanes, and extreme weather events. The GRIP program specifically targets projects that can modernize the grid by improving its capacity to withstand disruptions and recover more quickly, ensuring reliable energy access for millions of Americans. “With these projects, we’re investing in resilience, which means we’re supporting communities before, during, and after wildfires and storms and heat waves and other extreme weather across the country by hardening the grid by, for example, undergrounding power lines or adding technology that reroutes power during storms,” DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm said. This funding is part of the DOE’s broader efforts to support innovative technologies, partnerships, and projects that will transform the grid into a more secure and adaptive infrastructure. Eligible applicants include utilities, state and local governments, and tribes, which can collaborate on projects that deploy smart grid technologies, strengthen grid infrastructure, and integrate renewable energy. With the rise in climate-related threats, this program is crucial for mitigating risks and ensuring that the grid can continue to meet growing energy demands without major disruptions. DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 21 Balderson Introduces Bill to Bolster Long-Term Electric Grid Reliability On September 25, Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) introduced legislation that would enable grid operators to fast-track consideration of power generation projects that improve the electric grid’s reliability. The Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable (GRID) Power Act would allow specific projects, at the request of the grid operator, to bypass the overwhelmed interconnection queue. The queue is where proposed projects wait before grid operators conduct feasibility and system impact studies. In 2023, the median wait time grew to five years, delaying critical projects from being built and connected to the grid. New federal rules, such as the Clean Power Plan 2.0, are accelerating the retirement of American power plants responsible for providing much of the United States’ baseload power. The GRID Power Act would promptly bring more baseload power generation online, leading to the long-term stability of the American electric grid. The GRID Power Act directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop rules that authorize grid operators—Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators—to fast-track critical projects that ensure grid reliability and meet growing power demands by allowing them to bypass the years-long wait in the interconnection queue. Under the legislation, grid operators would still be required to conduct feasibility and system impact studies on the generation projects before signing an interconnection agreement. The bill also promotes transparency by requiring the operators to provide a process for public comment and stakeholder engagement before submitting proposals to FERC. It also requires operators to provide regular reports on grid reliability to FERC. This See an OverRides installation in action here www.duraline.com/installations/override-installations Performing an OverRide allows you to jet or blow in MicroDucts to create new pathways for fiber, hassle-free. Did you know you can ADD FIBER TO A NETWORK WITHOUT ADDITIONAL DIGGING? (800) 847-7661 _ www.duraline.com Continued on page 22
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 22 Power News Continued from page 21 legislation empowers grid operators to accelerate projects that: • Provide new dispatchable power and improve grid reliability and resource adequacy; • Address power shortages caused by retiring or offline dispatchable power and/or • Support increased power demand. FERC would be required to review and approve fast-track proposals within 60 days, potentially reducing the total time to approve these projects from years to 12 months. Upon enactment, this legislation would require FERC to start the rulemaking process for this mechanism within 90 days of the bill’s enactment and finalize the rules within 180 days. DOE Invests $371 Million to Accelerate Transmission Permitting Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected 20 projects to receive $371 million to accelerate the permitting of high-voltage, interstate transmission projects and support community infrastructure projects along major new and upgraded transmission lines. Administered by the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, these Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) grants will help advance at least 16 high-impact transmission lines nationwide, delivering reliable and affordable energy to consumers while creating wellpaying jobs. To complement these unprecedented federal actions, TSED will support permitting progress at the state and local levels and ensure that communities hosting new and upgraded transmission infrastructure benefit directly. These TSED selections will help uplift communities through economic development investments that generate benefits in communities impacted by transmission development while also accelerating project reviews by siting authorities. Selected projects include support for: • Providing state and local siting agencies with the resources, tools, and capacity they need to complete timely reviews of transmission projects, which strengthens robust regional and interregional planning; • Upgrading critical infrastructure in communities impacted by transmission development; and • Supporting localized workforce development and training in communities impacted by transmission development. Phillips Names Reese as Secretary of FERC Federal Energy and Regulatory Committee Chairman Willie Phillips has named DebbieAnne Reese Secretary of the commission. Reese has served as Acting Secretary since January 2024 and, prior to that, served as Deputy Secretary of the Commission since May 2021. Reese began her career at FERC in 2006 and possesses an extensive knowledge of commission processes, requirements, and policies stemming from her experience in numerous leadership positions at FERC. She served as a managing attorney in the Office of the General Counsel-Energy Markets, advising commissioners and program office staff on electric rate matters, particularly concerning bilateral markets and corporate filings. Reese holds her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Howard University.
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 23 New CenterPoint Infrastructure Overhaul Will Strengthen Grid Reliability CenterPoint Energy has embarked on an ambitious project, the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), to improve the durability of its power infrastructure. This overhaul comes in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, an unprecedented storm that hit Texas in July. The storm exposed the vulnerability of above-ground infrastructure and the need for a system capable of withstanding major weather events. GHRI is a proactive response to such risks, seeking to complete major upgrades within eight months, well ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. One of CenterPoint’s most notable efforts is the undergrounding of 400 miles of power lines, a strategy with proven benefits for reducing the impact of storms on the power grid. This is particularly advantageous in Houston, a densely populated area where power disruptions can quickly lead to widespread challenges. As an added benefit, they are easier to maintain and repair in the aftermath of storms, allowing for faster service restoration and minimizing disruptions to homes and businesses. Alongside undergrounding, CenterPoint is replacing 25,000 poles with new structures that meet rigorous wind standards, further strengthening the system’s resilience. These poles are engineered to withstand extreme weather, providing extra security that they remain intact even under the pressure of severe storms. With nearly 50 percent of its network targeted for undergrounding and 25,000 wind-resistant poles in place, CenterPoint is setting a benchmark for resilience in urban energy systems. Ring Power Utility Equipment provides all the resources you need to get the demanding jobs done. Ring Power Utility, Truck & Crane gives you access to a vast range of jobsite-tough products to round out your fleet. Our product lines include equipment manufactured by Terex Corporation, Spiradrill, Manitex, National Crane, Prinoth, Vac-Con and more. We also offer a full range of equipment that includes aerial devices, boom trucks, digger derricks, auger drills, tracked cranes & utility vehicles, vacuum trucks, utility trailers and many more. TAKE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY TO NEW HEIGHTS 844.766.RENT | info@ringpower.com Let Us Show You Why We Are The Partner of Choice For Our Customers Nationwide.
PCCA Journal|4th Quarter 2024 24 BROADBAND NEWS Dingell and Pfluger Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Broadband Access On September 5, Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and August Pfluger (R-Tex.), both House Energy and Commerce Committee members, introduced the Provide Rigorous Oversight to Optimize Connectivity and Offset Latency Act (PROTOCOL Act). The legislation comes at a time when more than 130 federal broadband programs operate across 15 agencies, often with little coordination. The fragmentation risks leaving many unserved communities without access to essential broadband services despite spending billions of dollars for broadband expansion. “Expanding strong broadband internet access is critical to bringing our infrastructure into the 21st century, and we must continue working to ensure connectivity is available to our communities who need it the most,” Dingell said. “The PROTOCOL Act will ensure people across the country, regardless of zip code, have access to the opportunity broadband provides by improving the mapping process for broadband funding and bettering coordination when funding is awarded.” The PROTOCOL Act addresses these coordination challenges by improving the mapping process and fostering interagency collaboration. Key provisions of the act include: • Alignment of maps: The act mandates the alignment of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Deployment Locations Map with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Funding Database. This ensures that both key databases reflect accurate information about broadband access and infrastructure projects, minimizing duplication and discrepancies. • Inclusion of state-based programs: The legislation requests non-mandatory reports from states about their broadband programs. These reports would be included in the NTIA database and the FCC map, providing a more comprehensive view of broadband coverage and needs nationwide. • Unified federal approach: Federal agencies must use the newly improved FCC map when awarding broadband infrastructure funding. This creates a standardized framework for making funding decisions, helping to ensure that broadband dollars are directed to areas of greatest need. As Debbie Dingell emphasized, broadband access is critical to modernizing U.S. infrastructure. This legislation would better enable federal agencies to prioritize broadband projects with the most meaningful impact, offering countless opportunities to the unserved and underserved. Cox Sues to Block Rhode Island’s BEAD Map Efforts to close the digital divide in Rhode Island have hit a significant blockade. Cox Communications, the state’s largest broadband provider, filed a lawsuit against the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation in early October. Cox is challenging the state’s plan to distribute $108.7 million in federal funding from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Cox claims that the Commerce Corporation’s approach to the BEAD program unfairly allocates funds to areas already served with high-speed internet, including affluent communities, instead of focusing on underserved or low-income areas needing better connectivity. In response, the state released a highly critical statement, pointing towards Cox’s lack of effort throughout the process: “Our state’s leading provider, Cox, declined to engage in the robust, months-long public planning process on how the Corporation would deploy Rhode Island’s BEAD funds. Cox did not submit public comments on the design of the BEAD program, did not raise concerns at public Broadband Advisory Council meetings (where they are the sole provider represented), and declined to share its network map information during the 90-day Rhode Island Broadband Map Challenge Process. Our planning process was open and participatory, and Cox did not participate.” Cox argues that the $108.7 million in federal funds should focus on lowincome areas and underserved com-
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