HomeMy WebLinkAbout20000710Order No 28420 - Amended.docBEFORE 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. MID T 99 1
SAW-T-99-1
AMENDED ORDER NO. 28420
On June 30, 2000, the Commission issued Order No. 28420 granting Midvale Telephone Exchange, Inc. and Sawtooth Telephone, Inc. (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Midvale”) authority to increase local exchange rates, decrease access rates, receive increased distributions from the Idaho Universal Service Fund (“USF”) and implement toll-free extended area service (EAS) between its Midvale exchange and certain other exchanges, including the U S WEST Payette and Weiser exchanges. The Order did not address those costs that would be incurred by U S WEST for implementation of EAS to its exchanges.
Therefore, pursuant to Idaho Code § 61-624, the Commission hereby amends that Order to consider the costs incurred by U S WEST Communications, Inc. in implementing EAS between its Payette and Weiser exchanges and Midvale’s Midvale exchange. This amendment grants authority to U S WEST to implement two-way EAS among those exchanges and to increase its customer rates in accordance with the method approved by this Commission for calculating U S WEST costs for implementing EAS. See Order No. 27633.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
In Order No. 28420, the Commission found that there is a community of interest between the Midvale exchange and a “mini region” which would justify authorizing EAS. Order No. 28420 at 4. The “mini-region” described by the Commission consists of Midvale’s Midvale exchange, U S WEST’s Payette and Weiser exchanges, and Cambridge’s Cambridge, Cuprum, Indian Valley and Council exchanges. Based on the finding of community of interest, the Commission authorized Midvale to implement EAS between its Midvale exchange and the “mini region.” Id. at 6 and 12. However, the Commission did not address the costs that would be incurred by U S WEST for implementing this EAS.
Both U S WEST witness John Souba and Staff witness Doug Cooley testified that based on preliminary estimates and using the procedure approved by the Commission in Order No. 27633, the estimated rate impact to U S WEST customers would be between one and three cents ($0.01-$0.03) per line per month. Tr. at 156: 11-20; Tr. at 26. The Commission finds the proposed rate increase for U S WEST customers in each of the U S WEST EAS regions is based on the method approved by this Commission in Order No. 27633 for calculating U S WEST costs for implementing EAS and is reasonable. The Commission further finds that when the exact amount is known, U S WEST shall inform the Commission and indicate how it will implement those rate increases.
Finally, the Commission finds that no other part of Order No. 28420 is changed by this amendment.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that upon Midvale’s implementation of EAS between U S WEST’s Payette and Weiser exchanges, U S WEST may increase its rates as calculated in accordance with the procedure approved by the Commission in Order No. 27633.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that U S WEST notify its customers of the scheduled implementation of EAS, the impending rate changes, and the available mitigation measures of ITSAP and measured service.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order (or issues finally decided by this Order) or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case Nos. MID-T-99-1 and SAW-T-99-1 may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order with regard to any matter decided in this Order or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case Nos. MID-T-99-1 and SAW-T-99-1. Within seven(7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code §61-626.
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:
Barbara Barrows
Assistant Commission Secretary
O:\midt991_sawt991_cc7-amend
On December 17, 1999, the Commission approved the merger of Midvale and Sawtooth. See Order No. 28233.
AMENDED ORDER NO. 28420 -1-
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 10, 2000