Power Pole Attachments and Safety
Telecom, cable TV and internet companies are allowed to attach equipment to Minnesota Power poles and “share” the poles through pole attachment agreements overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.
Minnesota Power’s responsibility is to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to customers while upholding state and federal standards and laws that protect the energy grid.
Some pole attachments pose a safety and power outage threat to our customers, the public, our employees and our infrastructure.
Our response
Repeated attempts to work with telecom, cable and internet providers to remedy these safety concerns have failed.
As a result, Minnesota Power plans to remove equipment that does not meet standards and laws on more than 200 poles (see map) beginning in August. This work may result in a loss of telecom, internet or cable TV service for residents and businesses “downstream” from the points of removal.
We will schedule the equipment removal to allow telecom, cable and internet providers time to restore service to their customers.
We hope the telecom, cable and internet companies respond quickly to address the hazards and get their customers back in service, as we all recognize the loss of these services can be a major inconvenience.
Safety and Reliability Hazards
Non-compliant or improperly installed equipment poses significant safety and reliability hazards to Minnesota Power poles and other infrastructure. They also create safety hazards for customers, communities and the environment, including the threat of wildfires.
Equipment installed by providers that does not meet state and federal regulations increases the likelihood of prolonged power outages for our customers.
Power pole safety problem locations
