HEARING.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITIONS FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS) BETWEEN RICHFIELD AND THE MAGIC VALLEY EAS REGION.
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CASE NO. GNR-T-97-4
NOTICE OF HEARING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in April 1997, the Commission received petitions containing more than 700 signatures requesting toll-free calling between the Richfield exchange and the Magic Valley region.  In Case No. USW-S-96-4 the Commission approved three calling areas or extended area service (EAS) regions in southern Idaho.  Included in these three calling regions is a Magic Valley region which includes the following U S WEST exchanges: Bliss, Buhl, Castleford, Dietrich, Eden, Gooding, Hagerman, Hazelton, Jerome, Kimberly, Murtaugh, Shoshone, Twin Falls, and Wendell. The petitions in this case seek to have Richfield included in the Magic Valley EAS region.  Local exchange service in the Magic Valley region is provided by U S WEST Communications and in the Richfield exchange by PTI Communications.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter for the purpose of presenting evidence or cross-examining witnesses at hearing must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission pursuant to this Commission's Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and -.073.  Persons intending to participate at the hearing must file a Petition to Intervene on or before January 16, 1998.  Persons desiring to present their views without parties' rights of participation and cross-examination are not required to intervene and may present their comments without prior notification to the Commission or the parties.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct a technical hearing in this case on TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1998, AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE COMMISSION’S HEARING ROOM LOCATED AT 472 WEST WASHINGTON, BOISE, IDAHO.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public hearing for the purpose of taking testimony from members of the public.  The public hearing will be conducted ON TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1998, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE AMERICAN LEGION HALL, 215 EAST NEZ PERCE, RICHFIELD, IDAHO.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has adopted the following schedule in this case:
Deadline to prefile direct testimony and exhibits by U S WEST and PTI
Deadline for rebuttal testimony and exhibits —to be received by all parties
January 30, 1998
February 20, 1998
The prepared testimony and exhibits must conform to the requirements of Rules 230-231 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.  There will be no discovery deadlines imposed in this proceeding.  The parties are directed to act in good faith in submitting and responding to discovery requests in accordance with the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings will be conducted pursuant to the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.  IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
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)
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.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Petitions in this case are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this                  day of December 1997.

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/N:GNR-T-97-4.ws
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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TEXT BOXES
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 30, 1997