California Public Utilities Commission member Geoffrey Brown proposed an alternate blueprint for growing and creating competition in the utility broadband market. The proposed decision would not rely on laissez faire. If approved, regulators would be more involved in the development of the broadband market than they would under CPUC member Rachelle Chong's tentative decision issued last month. Broadband over power lines is a technology that allows utilities to use existing distribution infrastructure to deliver Internet services. Under Brown?s regulatory proposal, the commission would hold a workshop before deciding whether affiliate transaction rules specific to broadband sent over distribution lines should be developed, or whether existing energy affiliate rules should apply. Chong's decision, in contrast, would not apply affiliate restrictions to a utility subsidiary offering BPL over its parent's lines because the service is not "energy related" (Circuit, Feb. 17, 2006). Brown also proposed regulating investor-owned utilities that offer Internet service via utility wires in another proceeding. "Should a regulated energy utility wish to provide [broadband] service on a tariffed basis, it should seek commission approval to do so under the appropriate conventional commission procedure, such as a general rate case," he stated. Broadband sent via utility lines, he added, "is potentially a service that relates to the use of electricity." He and Chong agreed that ratepayer funds should not be spent on broadband development or operations. The investment should, they concurred, be financed by shareholders and/or third parties.