GOVERNMENT & REGULATORY AFFAIRS UPDATE
RESPONDING TO INCREASE IN LARGE-SCOPE PROJECT TICKETS
Large-scope project tickets have increased nearly 80% nationwide since 2021, creating significant challenges for utility locators USIC is taking measures to ensure our ability to continue to provide the highest quality, on-time locates in a rapidly evolving operating environment:
Created a cross-functional team focused on developing processes and solutions for managing the impact of increased large-scope project tickets
Working with customers to develop pricing structures aligned with large-scope project tickets
Educating 811 boards of directors and staff on the challenges for utility locators and the need for updates to 811 systems in some states
Meeting with excavators and providing guidance on submitting locate requests to help eliminate the need for unnecessary marking by locators and enable them to focus on time-sensitive tickets – check out USIC’s video, Guidance for Submitting Utility Locate Requests, and share it with your contractors
Educating legislators and regulators on updates needed to dig safe laws in some states
USIC appreciates the collaboration of our customers in addressing the impact of the major increase in large-scope project tickets on the damage prevention industry We are working together to protect critical infrastructure, excavation crews, and our communities To learn more about these initiatives and partnering with USIC to advance them, contact Vice President of Government Affairs Nancy Mitchell, 423-580-2802.
USIC GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS EXPANDS COLLABORATION WITH UTILITIES
USIC Government Affairs continues to collaborate with utilities on regulatory responses and educating regulators and legislators on the challenges the damage prevention industry is facing due to record infrastructure investment and a significant increase in large-scope projects, such as fiber overbuilds, broadband installation, and clean energy infrastructure construction, and the need to address them with updates to 811 systems and dig safe laws
Over the past six months, USIC has expanded our partnership with Frontier Communications to include:
Guiding its strategy on regulatory matters
Conducting investigations of alleged compliance failures and drafting responses to regulatory inquiries and notices
Negotiating penalties assessed for noncompliance
“USIC's Government Affairs team is a vital part of our
damage prevention program and essential to our navigation of the regulatory environment," Mike Jessee, Frontier Communications' Director of Operations, shared. "The level of partnership, support, and responsiveness they provide differentiates them and
underscores their position as the nation's leader in damage prevention."
USIC's Government Affairs team is eager to provide this level of partnership for every utility we serve To learn more about how we can add value for your regulatory and government affairs teams, reach out to your USIC Account Director or Vice President of Government Affairs Nancy Mitchell
USIC INTRODUCES NEW COO AND OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Richard BatelaanIn February, USIC welcomed Richard Batelaan as its new Chief Operating Officer. Richard has 30 years of experience in operations leadership in the telecommunications and information technology industries Prior to joining USIC, he served as Executive Vice President
At the end of 2022, USIC segmented its nationwide operations into East, South, and West regions led by General Managers (GM). The new GM role provides greater leadership accessibility and oversight with a focus on analyzing data received from the field to develop actionable plans for achieving performance targets in their unique markets The GMs also support business retention and growth, regulatory matters, and the advancement of legislative updates needed in their regions. of North America Operations for Lumen, held leadership positions in wireless engineering and product management with AT&T, and served as COO for Cbeyond, BroadRiver Communications, and BellSouth.net.
“We are excited to have a leader of Richard’s caliber and level of experience at the helm of our 811 Operations,” Mike Ryan, USIC's President and CEO, stated “He has a proven record of increasing operational efficiency, executing IT transformations, improving the customer experience, and driving value creation and is poised to make impacts of this magnitude for our customers.”
USIC'S DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SERVES ON NC811 BOARD
In January, USIC's Director of Government Affairs Chris Russ was re-elected as President of the North Carolina 811 (NC811) Board of Directors for another one-year term Chris has served on the board in leadership roles since April 2012.
Chris' long-term service demonstrates USIC's
commitment to involvement in 811 organizations throughout our operating network.
"I am honored to continue leading the NC811 Board in advancing our mission and the strategic changes necessary as the damage prevention industry and technology continue to evolve," Chris stated.
VISIT USIC AT THE CGA 2023 CONFERENCE & EXPO
USIC’s Government Affairs Team will be in attendance at the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo April 17-21 in Orlando, FL, along with representatives of USIC Operations and Business Development Stop by booth 521 to see us!
We look forward to addressing questions and concerns and collaborating on addressing regulatory pressures impacting your business and advancing the systemic and legislative updates needed in the states in which you operate.
