20210614Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35075.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35075 1
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF COLUMBINE
TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.’S
APPLICATION TO CHANGE THE MANNER
IN WHICH FACILITIES EXTENSIONS ARE
HANDLED
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CASE NO. COL-T-21-01

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED
EFFECTIVE DATE

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35075

On May 14, 2021, Columbine Telephone Company, Inc. dba Silver Star
Communications (“Company”) filed changes to its tariff with the Commission. The Company
proposes to change how the cost of a line extension will be shared between the applicant and the
Company. The Company proposed a June 15, 2021 effective date for the modified tariff.
At the June 8, 2021 Decision Meeting, Commission Staff noted the proposed changes
constitute an increase in rates and therefore should not be handled through a tariff advice. Staff
suggested the Commission initiate a formal proceeding to determine whether the proposed tariffs
comply with the Commission’s regulatory requirements.
With this Order, the Commission converts the Company’s proposed tariff
modifications into an Application to be processed by Modified Procedure, suspends the
Company’s proposed effective date, and establishes comment deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company’s existing tariff provides that a
line extension will be provided without charge to the applicant if the cost of the total extension
does not exceed $1,600.00. If the total extension exceeds $1,600.00, the “applicant will reimburse
the Company the total amount exceeding the established aid to construction in effective prior to
construction.”
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that under the Company’s proposed tariff, a line
extension “not exceeding 500 [feet] will be furnished at a flat fee cost [of $350.00]….Where the
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
June 14, 2021

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35075 2
total extension exceeds 500 [feet], the applicant will pay the Company prior to construction the
actual cost of [the line extension] exceeding the 500 [feet] plus the flat fee cost.”
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that under the proposed tariff, the applicant will be
responsible to provide trenching services.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company is a Title-61 telephone
corporation. See Idaho Code § 61-121.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. These documents are also
available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “TELECOM” icon,
select “Open Cases,” and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that, given the public interest in having adequate
time to comment on this case, the Commission finds it appropriate to suspend the Company’s
proposed effective date of June 15, 2021 for 60 days, unless the Commission issues an earlier order
accepting, rejecting, or modifying the Company’s Application. See Idaho Code § 61-622.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified Procedure
pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s Rules of Procedure,
IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written
comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments. Persons shall have until July 8, 2021 to file written comments. Comments must be
filed by email unless email is unavailable. To comment by email, please access the Commission’s

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35075 3
home page at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “Consumers” tab and then “Case Comment Form”
and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this document.
Comments filed by email must also be emailed to the Company at the email addresses listed below.
If email is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and the Company at
these addresses:
For the Idaho PUC:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For Columbine Telephone Company:

Michelle Motzkus
Silver Star Communications
P.O. Box 226
Freedom, WY 83120

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
July 15, 2021.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its Order
without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the
Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s proposed June 15, 2021 effective date
is suspended for 60 days, unless the Commission issues an earlier order accepting, rejecting, or
modifying the Application. See Idaho Code § 61-622.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Company’s Application be processed by
Modified Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting
written comments must do so by July 8, 2021. The Company must file any reply comments by
July 15, 2021.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35075 4
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
35058, issued June 3, 2021. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and
shall be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service
between parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous discovery-related
documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 14th
day of June 2021.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\TELEPHONE\COL-T-21-01\COLT2101_Ntc_App_Mod_mh.docx