MODPROC.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OFALBION TELEPHONE COMPANY’S, CAMBRIDGE TELEPHONE COMPANY’S, MIDVALE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, INC.’S, ROCKLAND TELE-PHONE COMPANY’S, RURAL TELEPHONE  COMPANY’S, AND SILVER STAR TELE­PHONE COMPANY’S PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF REVISED DEPRECIATION RATES.
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CASE NO. GNR-T-97-1
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
         PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on December 31, 1996, a Petition for Approval of Revised Depreciation Rates was filed by six independent telephone companies.  The Companies are Albion Telephone Company, Cambridge Telephone Company, Midvale Telephone Exchange, Inc., Rockland Telephone Company, Rural Telephone Company, and Silver Star Telephone Company, hereinafter collectively referred to as Petitioners or Companies.  The Petitioners are independently-owned local telephone companies that provide local exchange and other telecommunication services in the state of Idaho.  Each Company is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Commission pursuant to Titles 61 and 62, Idaho Code.
Petitioners request an Order from the Commission approving revised depreciation rates for accounting purposes.  In their Petition, the Companies state that their existing depreciation rates are no longer reasonable in today’s competitive environment and that the onset of competition requires that depreciation rates more closely match the retirement of capital assets.  Petitioners request that the Commission issue an Order prior to February 15, 1997, authorizing an effective date for the new rates of January 1, 1996.  The Petitioners are not requesting any changes in customers rates or charges as a result of the requested depreciation changes.  Petitioners acknowledge that any change in revenue requirements or customer rates will require a general rate case filing by the Petitioners, and would only be effective prospectively after conclusion of a rate case.  The depreciation rates proposed by Petitioners are contained in Exhibit A to this Notice.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with supporting workpapers, testimonies and exhibits, have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.
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 and that the Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
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.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. GNR-T-97-1.  The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the issues raised by the Application may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing.  Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission may not hold a hearing in this proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used.  Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
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 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.  
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter on its merits and enter its Order without a formal hearing.  If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order on the basis of the written positions before it.  Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No.  GNR-T-97-1 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below:
COMMISSION SECRETARYCONLEY E. WARD
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONJULIE KLEIN FISCHER
PO BOX 83720GIVENS PURSLEY & HUNTLEY, LLP
BOISE, IDAHO  83720-0074277 N 6TH ST, STE 200
PO BOX 2720
Street Address for Express Mail:BOISE, ID 83701
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, IDAHO  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 Application in Case No. GNR-T-97-1 can be reviewed at the Commission’s office during regular business hours.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this                  day of January 1997.

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/N:GNR-T-97-1.ws
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
Text Box 1:
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Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 7, 1997