20000501Procedural Order No 28365 - Notice of Technical Hearing.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT APPLICATION OF MIDVALE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, INC. AND SAWTOOTH TELEPHONE, INC. FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE RATES AND DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE IDAHO USF. )
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CASE NOS. MIDT991
SAW-T-99-1

PROCEDURAL ORDER

NOTICE OF
TECHNICAL HEARING

ORDER NO.  28365

On September 28, 1999, Midvale Telephone Exchange, Inc. and Sawtooth Telephone, Inc. filed a Joint Application requesting authority for Midvale and Sawtooth to increase local exchange rates and receive increased distributions from the Idaho Universal Service Fund effective November 1, 1999. On October 19, 1999, the Commission suspended the rates that are subject of the Application for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the proposed effective date of November 1, 1999, pursuant to Idaho Code § 61-622. Order No. 28179. On January 13, 2000, the Commission continued that suspension for an additional period of sixty (60) days, or until such time as the Commission may issue an Order accepting or rejecting or modifying the Application in this matter. Idaho Code § 61-622. Order No.  28249.
Commission Staff and U S WEST filed direct testimony on April 5, 2000. On April 24, 2000, at the request of the parties, the Commission vacated the technical hearing that had been scheduled to begin April 25, 2000, and vacated the date for filing rebuttal testimony. Order No. 28350.
The Commission now finds it appropriate to issue this Procedural Order and Notice of Technical Hearing.
In order to process the Joint Application, the Commission has determined to adopt the following procedural schedule:
Filing of rebuttal testimony by Applicants
Public EAS Hearing in Midvale
Public EAS Hearing in Stanley
Technical hearing in Boise May 9, 2000
May 2, 2000
May 4, 2000
May 16, 2000
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a technical hearing in this matter on TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2000, AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE COMMISSION’S HEARING ROOM, 472 WEST WASHINGTON, BOISE, IDAHO. The purpose of this hearing will be to take the technical evidence of the parties in this matter.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public information meeting on this matter on TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2000 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MIDVALE, LOCATED AT 56 SCHOOL ROAD, MIDVALE, IDAHO, just prior to the public hearing scheduled below. The purpose of this meeting will be to provide information to the public regarding the Company’s request for a rate increase and public input regarding the EAS routes in question.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public hearing on this matter on TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MIDVALE, LOCATED AT 56 SCHOOL ROAD, MIDVALE, IDAHO. The purpose of this hearing will be to take public testimony regarding the Company’s request for a rate increase and public input regarding the EAS routes in question.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public information meeting on this matter on THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2000, AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN STANLEY, LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 21, STANLEY, IDAHO, just prior to the public hearing scheduled below. The purpose of this meeting will be to provide information to the public regarding the Company’s request for a rate increase and public input regarding the EAS routes in question.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public hearing on this matter on THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN STANLEY, LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 21, STANLEY, IDAHO. The purpose of this hearing will be to take public testimony regarding the Company’s request for a rate increase and public input regarding the EAS routes in question.
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. In order to participate, understand testimony and argument at a public hearing, persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 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, ID 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, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Commission adopts the preceding schedule for the purpose of processing the Joint Application of Midvale and Sawtooth in this case.
THIS IS AN INTERLOCUTORY ORDER. Any person interested in this Order may file a petition for review within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order with regard to any matter decided in this Order. A petition to review may request that the Commission: (1) rescind, clarify, alter, amend; (2) stay; or (3) finalize this Interlocutory Order. After any person has petitioned for review, any other person may file a cross-petition within seven (7) days. See Rules 321, 322, 323.04, 324, 325 (IDAPA 31.01.01.321 –325).
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of April 2003.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

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On December 17, 1999, the Commission approved the merger of Midvale and Sawtooth. Order No. 28233.

NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
PROCEDURAL ORDER
ORDER NO. 28365 -1-

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 1, 2000