28640.rep.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION STAFF’S PROPOSAL FOR INSTALLATION OF A FIBER ROUTE BETWEEN RIGGINS AND GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO
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CASE NO. GNR-T-00-40

NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO FILE REPLY COMMENTS

ORDER NO. 28640

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on January 3, 2001, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposal and a Notice of Modified Procedure to open a docket to investigate whether completion of a fiber route between Riggins and Grangeville, Idaho is in the public interest. The Notice provided for a 28-day comment period that expired on January 31, 2001. Written comments were filed by Verizon Northwest, Inc. (Verizon), Qwest Corporation (Qwest), Citizens Telecommunications Company of Idaho (Citizens), Avista Communications of Idaho, Inc. (Avista), and the Commission Staff. In addition, the Commission received several dozen written comments from members of the public.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments filed with the Commission are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. The comments of Citizens and the Staff support constructing the fiber route to improve communications between Riggins, Whitebird and Grangeville, including allowing for improved emergency call service. Verizon also supports the fiber route, but recommends extending it farther north. Avista expressed concern that the Commission should “ensure that all [Competitive Local Exchange Carriers] are assured equal access to the fiber route at revenue neutral rates charged by Citizens.” Qwest’s comments recognize a fiber route between Riggins and Grangeville will be beneficial, but questioned whether the benefit would be greater than if the funds were deposited to the Idaho High Cost Fund for non-rural companies. Qwest also noted that the record does not yet address all relevant issues, including regulatory and accounting treatment for the costs of constructing the fiber route. The public comments received by the Commission strongly support construction of the fiber route.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined, based on the issues and questions raised in some of the written comments, that it is appropriate to provide an opportunity for the filing of reply comments. Accordingly, the Commission will receive reply comments for a period of 21-days from the date of this Notice and Order.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position in response to the written comments may file reply comments within 21-days from the date of this Notice. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments concerning this application shall be mailed to the Commission at the address reflected below:
COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, ID 83702-5983
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission may 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, at its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing.

O R D E R

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that any interested person may file reply comments in response to the comments already filed with the Commission. Reply comments may be filed within 21-days from the date of this Order.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this
day of February 2001.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

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NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO
FILE REPLY COMMENTS
ORDER NO. 28640 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 7, 2001