27814.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITIONS FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS) BETWEEN BURLEY, IDAHO AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN CASSIA COUNTY.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS)
BETWEEN MALAD CITY AND REXBURG AND SURROUNDING AREAS, AND BETWEEN LOST RIVERS VALLEY AND OTHER SOUTHEAST IDAHO COMMUNITIES
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CASE NO. GNR-T-96-9
CASE NO. GNR-T-97-6
ORDER TO RESET TECHNICAL HEARING
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
ORDER NO.  27814
This matter was set for technical hearing on Tuesday, December 8, 1998, to present evidence to the Commission regarding the implementation of Extended Area Service (EAS) for customers of Albion Telephone Company and Westel, Inc. into local exchange areas operated by U S WEST.  On November 27, 1998, the parties planning to present testimony at the hearing filed a Procedural Stipulation and Notice of Settlement Meeting.  The Stipulation provides for the parties to attend a Settlement Meeting on January 6, 1999, in order to resolve, if possible, technical and financial issues involved in the case.  In addition, the Stipulation limits the purpose of the technical hearing scheduled for December 8 to the presentation of community-of-interest issues.  In light of the parties’ Stipulation, the Commission has determined to reset the December 8 technical hearing.
The Commission has determined to reschedule the technical hearing in order to avoid duplication of effort and resources.  If the hearing were held on December 8 for the limited purpose described in the Stipulation, it is likely that a second hearing would be required following the settlement meeting in January.  A second hearing would be required either to consider any stipulation accomplished by the parties or, in the event no stipulation is accomplished, to consider the remaining issues that are in dispute.  Rather than bifurcate the proceeding, the Commission has determined to conduct one technical hearing in January.  The hearing will be held on JANUARY 21, 1999, AT 9:30 A.M.
NOTICE OF HEARING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct a technical hearing in this case on THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1999, AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE COMMISSION’S HEARING ROOM LOCATED AT 472 WEST WASHINGTON, BOISE, IDAHO.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and prehearing conferences in this matter will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance of the kind that the Commission is obligated to provide under the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in or to understand the testimony and argument at a public hearing may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.  The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO  83720-0074
[phone]  (TELEPHONE)
[phone]  (TEXT TELEPHONE)
[phone]  (FAX)
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the technical hearing scheduled for December 8, 1998, is vacated.  The technical hearing in this case is rescheduled for January 21, 1999, at 9:30 a.m.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of December 1998.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:GNR-T-96-9.ws2
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
Text Box 1:
TEXT BOXES
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 4, 1998