20160505notice_of_application_order_no_33520.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 5,2016
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )CASE NO.GNR-T-16-04
OF THE COMMISSION STAFF FOR AN )
ORDER APPROVING THE DISPOSITION )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
OF TIER 2 FUNDS FROM THE QWEST )
PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE PLAN )NOTICE OF
(QPAP))MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
_______________________________
)ORDER NO.33520
On April 27,2016,Commission Staff filed an Application requesting that the
Commission authorize the disbursement of the remaining balance of Tier 2 funds accumulated
under Qwest Performance Assurance Plan (QPAP),Staff recommended that the balance of
QPAP funds (in the amount of $89,710),be equally distributed to two telecommunications
projects.First,the Idaho Department of Health &Welfare,Division of Behavioral Health,
submitted a proposal to expand the telecommunications services of its Idaho Suicide Prevention
Hotline.Second,the Idaho Emergency Communications Commission (IECC)proposed that
funds be made available for the development of training and certification standards for
emergency 911 dispatchers through the Idaho Peace Officer Standards &Training (POST)
Academy.Staff recommended that the Application be processed under Modified Procedure.
BACKGROUND
Section 271 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 established procedures
for CenturyLink’s predecessor Qwest Corporation (commonly referred to as a Bell Operating
Company (BOC))to obtain authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
to provide in-region interLATA and interstate telecommunications services.47 U.S.C.§271.In
particular,Section 271 (c)(2)(B)contained a “competitive checklist”that generally provided that
Qwest and other BOCs must provide access and interconnection to competitors.Before allowing
Qwest to offer telecommunications services in its region,the FCC was also required to find that
allowing Qwest to compete in its region against competitors “is consistent with the public
interest,convenience and necessity.”47 U.S.C.§271(d)(3)(C).To ensure continued
compliance with the competitive checklist,the FCC determined that applicable carriers should
develop and implement a “Performance Assurance Plan”(PAP).As this Commission noted in
February 2003,“Qwest’s PAP provides specific standards for [Qwest’s]delivery of services to
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33520
competitor telecommunications providers and automatic penalties if the standards are not met.”
Notice of Modified Procedure (Case No.USW-T-00-03).
Qwest’s PAP (QPAP)was intended to provide economic incentives (penalties)for
Qwest to provide non-discriminatory service to competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).
Order No.32106 at 1.In the event Qwest failed to meet the performance standards set out in its
QPAP,the Plan required that Qwest make remedial payments to either the affected CLEC or to a
Fund established by the state regulatory commission.These payments were divided into two
self-executing types.First,Tier 1 payments were made to a particular CLEC if Qwest did not
meet the service standards when providing service or access to that CLEC.QPAP §2.1.
Second,if Qwest failed to meet certain other service standards that did not directly impact a
particular CLEC,Qwest was required to make Tier 2 payments to accounts established by the
state commission.QPAP §2.1.1;Order No.30461 at 3.
Tier 2 payments were made to one of two accounts.The Tier 2 “special fund”was
used to defray audit and oversight expenses incurred by this Commission in reviewing Qwest’s
Section 271 compliance.The Tier 2 “discretionary fund”was comprised of remedial payments
and intended to be used for “competitively neutral Idaho telecommunications initiatives.”QPAP
§11.3.4.Payments to the Tier 2 accounts were discontinued in November 2010.Order No.
32106 at 2-3.
The current balance of the consolidated Tier 2 accounts is $89,710.56 as of April 1,
2016.Given the discontinuance of Tier 2 payments,there is no longer a need to retain these
funds.Consequently,Staff believes it is now appropriate to disburse the funds to the two
telecommunications programs identified in greater detail below.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Staff recommends that the Commission
distribute the balance of the Tier 2 QPAP funds to the two programs set out in greater detail
below.The first program would expand the operations of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline
administered by the Department of Health &Welfare,Division of Behavioral Health.The
second program would provide initial funding for the development of certification standards and
training at the Idaho Police Officer Standards &Training (POST)Academy for emergency
dispatchers assigned to 911 calling centers.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33520 2
A.Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Idaho Department of Health &Welfare.
Division of Behavioral Health,administers the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline.According to
statistics from the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho.suicide is the second leading
cause of death for Idahoans age l534.l In a report issued in April 2016 by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),the National Center for Health Statistics reported that
deaths from suicide increased from 1996 to 2014 by 24%,from 10.5 to 13.0 per 100,000
population.2 The average annual percentage increase in suicide mortality shows that the average
increase was greater for the period 2006-2014 than for the period 1999-2006.Increases in
suicide rates occurred for both males and females in all age groups except 75 years and older.
The increase for females was greatest for those ages 10-14,and for males between 45-64 years
old.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Department of Health &Welfare has
identified four special at-risk groups in Idaho.The first of these at-risk groups for suicide is
male teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 years old.3 According to a recent survey,one in
seven Idaho high school students said they had seriously considered suicide.4 According to the
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline,“Idaho’s overall suicide rate is 52%higher than the national
average and the youth[sj age 10-19 is double the national average.”Application,Exh.I at 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that to address this priority at-risk group,the
Suicide Prevention Hotline proposes to launch a new service called “Texts for Life”to reach
people who are more comfortable texting or using an on-line chat service.While this new
service will be available to all Idaho residents,‘the focus is on increasing support for youth and
other groups who favor these technologies,such as veterans.”Id.Funds from the QPAP program
I http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Medical/Suicide%20Prevention/August2o I 5SuicideFactSheet.df (last
viewed April 21,2016).
2 Increase in Suicide in the United States,1999-2014.NCHS Data Brief No.241.
http:/www.cdc.covnchsproducts/databriefs db241 .htm (last viewed April 22,2016).
The other three special at-risk groups are Native American males,15-24 years old;working age males,between the
ages of 18-64;and elderly men,age 75 and older.
pjlealthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Fainilies!SuicidePrevention.’SpecialAtRiskPopulationsinldaho/tabid/l923’Default.
(last viewed April 21,2016).
‘I (last viewed April 22,2016).
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ORDER NO.33520 3
will improve the technological/telecommunications capacity to handle several thousand text
messages as well as chats and calls from those in crisis.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Division of Behavioral Health has
proposed utilizing approximately $44,900 of QPAP funds to improve their telecommunications
capacity.Id.In particular,the Division proposes to use the money to procure the following
equipment and facilities:
1.$18,000 to build and equip six additional workstations with telephones,
computers,power-jack wiring.
2.$6,000 to improve acoustic dampening between and among the existing
responder workstations and the new workstations.
3.$4,000 for two LED wall displays showing the waiting queue for calls and
texts.
4.$4,000 for ICAROL IT software to provide crisis texts &chat
functionality and voice-call management for one year.
5.$5,000 for access and security systems.
6.$7,900 for office supplies,other equipment,and administrative
management.
The Division asserts that this added functionality will improve efforts to prevent suicides by
effective intervention.
B.Idaho Emergency Communications Training Standards
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Idaho Emergency Communications
Commission (IECC)5 proposes to utilize $44,910 of QPAP funding to develop employment and
training standards,including certification and recertification requirements,for emergency
dispatchers located at public safety call centers (911 centers).Application,Exh.2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Police Officer Standards &Training
(POST)Academy has a voluntary dispatcher training program but desires to develop the
necessary training standards for employment,training,and certification of emergency
dispatchers.Id.The IECC estimates the funds necessary to fully develop a mandatory
Effective July 1,2016,the functions of the IECC and the Statewide Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC)are
to be consolidated into the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission.See Idaho Code §3 1-4815.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
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ORDER NO.33520 4
certification program is about $10,000 per year.Utilizing available QPAP funds would provide
the necessary funding for approximately four years while other funding solutions are identified.
Id.at 2.Funds would be transferred to the 1ECC and eventually to the POST Academy.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff believes that the available QPAP funds
can be put to good use by funding these two telecommunications programs.Staff’s request to
fund these programs is competitively and technologically neutral,and in the public interest.
Accordingly,Staff recommends that the Commission disburse the Tier 2 funds to the Idaho
Department of Health &Welfare,Division of Behavioral Services and to the IECC,Post
Academy,which will administer these funds.Use of the Tier 2 QPAP funds to support these
innovative projects will serve Idaho citizens.
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 any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within
twenty-one (21)days from the service date of this Order.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 and Commission Staff at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary Donald L.Howell,II
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Deputy Attorney General
P0 Box 83720 Carolee Hall
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Telecommunications Analyst
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Street Address for Express Mail:P0 Box 83720
Boise,ID 83720-0074
472 W.Washington Street E-mail:donhoweL1(pucidahoo’
Boise,ID 83702-59 18
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33520 5
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the “Case Comment or Question
Form”under the “Consumers”tab,and complete the comment form using the case number as it
appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTTFIED that the Commission Staff may file a reply if
necessary,within 28 days of the date of this Order.
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.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFiED that the Application and exhibits have been filed
with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the
Commission offices.The Application and exhibits are also available on the Commission’s web
site at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of the page,scroll down to
“Open Telephone Cases,”and then 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 and Title 62 of the Idaho Code and
specifically Idaho Code §62-615,and 47 U.S.C.§271.The Commission may enter any final
Order consistent with its authority under Title 61 and Title 62.
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 ci’seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed by Modified Procedure,
IDAPA 31.01.01.201 -.204.Interested Persons shall have 21 days from the date of this Order to
file written comments,and the Commission Staff may have 28 days from the date of this Order
to file a reply,if necessary.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33520 6
DONE by Order o the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of May 2016.
ATTEST:
KRIS INE RAPER.COMMISSIONER
./.4
.ein D.Jewelli/
C’ommission cretary
O:GNR-T-16-04 don
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33520
PAUL PRESIDENT
ERIC COMMISSIONER
7