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             California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 5301            San Francisco, CA 94102
CONTACT: Dianne Dienstein                 May 8, 1996  CPUC - 41
         415-703-2423                             (R. 90-01-012)

              CPUC STREAMLINES CELLULAR SITING RULE

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
issued streamlined procedures for construction/siting of cellular
radiotelephone facilities and noncellular commercial mobile radio
service facilities.  Carriers, consumer groups, and all cities
and counties had opportunity to participate in formation of the
revised procedures contained in General Order 159-A.
    Carriers now no longer need Commission approval prior to
constructing facilities and can notify the Commission, and local
government authorities, by letter of their intent to build new
facilities or modify existing facilities.  Existing local land
use or building permit requirements, however, remain unchanged.
    The Commission continues to defer to local agencies primary
authority to regulate siting and design of cellular and
commercial mobile radio service facilities, and will intervene
only if local government decisions unreasonably impede statewide
goals.  Local authorities will continue to issue permits, oversee
California Environmental Quality Act compliance, and require
public notice and comment if necessary.
    The Commission streamlined notification of construction/
modification of facilities because the previous process was too
cumbersome.  Now, prior to beginning construction of a facility,
cellular and commercial mobile radio service utilities will file
a notification letter both with the CPUC and local authorities
within 15 business days of either receiving required land use
approval, or determination that no land use permit is required.
Carriers are to update their lists of sites and mobile telephone
switching offices quarterly with the CPUC.
                                ###