Edison Electric Institute Executive Vice President David K. Owens said today that the nation’s investor-owned electric utilities welcome the release of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Plan and the effort it represents in addressing the need for affordable and reliable broadband services.

“As electricity companies and other parts of our nation’s critical infrastructure move toward automation and two-way communications, broadband services are going to play an important role in paving the way for the exciting new technologies to make this happen,” Owens said. “We applaud the FCC’s efforts in generating this plan and the terrific starting point it represents in making sure broadband is put to best use for electric utilities and the rest of our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

Owens said the plan appropriately includes examination of broadband issues that will have a direct impact on electric utilities, including protecting customer privacy, ensuring adequate spectrum for an increasingly “smarter” electric grid and faster and more reliable communications for emergency responders including electricity crews.

“Improving our nation’s broadband infrastructure will go hand in hand with the increases in automation we’ll be seeing all along a smarter electricity grid,” Owens said. “This plan provides a framework for working through these important issues with the FCC and our fellow industries that provide the nation’s vital services.”