We are pleased to announce that Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Michigan President Robert Nelson has been appointed to serve on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) North American Numbering Council (NANC), the recently re-chartered federal advisory committee that ensures there is fair and impartial numbering in telecommunications.
Mr. Nelson will serve a two-year term on the council beginning Sept. 13, 2021, as the Representative Member of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).
The appointment represents the latest stage in Mr. Nelson’s long career of utility consumer advocacy. He served as a commissioner on the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) from 1999 to 2005, president of the Michigan Electric and Gas Association from 1987 to 1999 and the director of the MPSC’s Office of Regulatory and Consumer Affairs from 1979 to 1987. He also was a trial attorney for the FCC from 1970 to 1974 and served on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Consumer Affairs Committee and chaired the Telecommunications Committee.
“Congratulations to Bob for his appointment to the NANC,” CUB of Michigan Executive Director Amy Bandyk said. “Through his work with CUB and the MPSC, Bob has steadfastly supported the interests of utility ratepayers in Michigan. We know he will do a great job in this key FCC committee.”
The NANC makes recommendations to the FCC “on a myriad of issues, including wireline/wireless integration for local number portability, abbreviated dialing arrangements, the neutrality of toll free database administration, and the feasibility of establishing a 3-Digit Dialing Code for a National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline System,” according to the council.
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