20011213Order No 28913 - Notice of Application.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF POTLATCH TELEPHONE COMPANY AND TROY TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO MERGE INTO A SINGLE CORPORATION AND FOR AN AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY.
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TRO-T-01-1

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 28913

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Potlatch Telephone Company and Troy Telephone Company filed a Joint Application on November 19, 2001 to merge their companies into a single corporation. Applicants currently furnish general telephone service in the cities and immediate surrounding areas of Kendrick, Juliaetta, and Troy, Idaho. The Applicants expect that the merger will reduce the administrative requirements and tariff updates currently required for these two companies.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application states that the merger will not impact the day-to-day operations or services provided by these companies. While Potlatch Telephone will assume official control and responsibility for providing local exchange service on January 1, 2002, the Applicants state that both companies have been operating out of the Kendrick office for years. Potlatch Telephone Company shall be the surviving corporation following the merger.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that to accomplish the merger, the Applicants request that Potlatch Telephone’s Amended Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 263 be further amended to reflect the addition of Troy Telephone’s Amended Certificate No. 201. By doing so, Potlatch Telephone requests authority to continue applying Troy Telephone rates and tariff provisions to the former Troy Telephone exchange areas indefinitely. Potlatch intends to apply for authority to combine the Potlatch and Troy tariff provisions, other than rates, into a single coherent tariff in the first half of 2002.
YOU ARE FUTHER NOTIFIED that the proposed merger does NOT include a proposed change in rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Applicants also request permission to blend the current approved depreciation rates of the two companies into a single set of rates, as set forth on the Attachment. Although the Application estimates that the annual change in overall depreciation expense will result in an increase of $6,300, the Applicants do not seek to increase customer rates at this time.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Applicants request that approval of the merger, amended tariff and combined depreciation rates be made effective January 1, 2002. The Applicants state that the pubic interest does not require a hearing on this Application and that it should be processed under Modified Procedure.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .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 on or before Wednesday, January 2, 2002. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074

Street Address for Express Mail:

472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983 Morgan W. Richards
Moffatt, Thomas, Barrett, Rock & Fields, Chtd.
101 S. Capitol Boulevard, 10th Floor
PO Box 829
Boise, ID 83701
Email: [e-mail]

These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the Commission’s homepage located at www.puc.state.id.us under the “Comments and Questions” icon. Once at the “Comments and Questions” icon, fill in the case number as it appears on the front of this document, and enter your comments. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the e-mail addresses listed above.
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 the deadline for the Applicants to file written reply comments with respect to their Application in this case is Wednesday, January 9, 2002.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with supporting workpapers 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.

O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this matter be processed under our rules of Modified Procedure. IPAPA 31.01.01.201-204.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission does hereby solicit written comments on this Application from the public, Applicants and Commission Staff in accordance with the foregoing schedule.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this
day of April 2003.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

O:POTT011_TROT011_ln

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28913 -1-

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 13, 2001