NTCPUBHG.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS) REGIONS IN U S WEST COMMUNICA­TIONS’ SOUTHERN IDAHO SERVICE AREA.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. USW-S-96-4
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
On April 17, 1996, U S WEST Communications and the Commission Staff filed a Joint Motion urging the Commission to adopt a Stipulation and Settlement entered into between U S WEST and the Staff.  The parties requested that the Commission initiate a new docket, Case No. USW-S-96-4, to address the creation of four local calling or extended area service (EAS) regions in southern Idaho.  The Stipulation and Settlement entered into between the Staff and U S WEST addresses three major areas.  First, the parties propose that the Revenue Sharing Plan first adopted in 1989 as a method of allocating costs between the fully regulated (Title 61) and partially regulated (Title 62) services of U S WEST in its southern Idaho service area be terminated.  Second, the parties propose creating four EAS regions allowing customers within each region to make “local” calls to each exchange located within the region.  Approximately 82% of U S WEST’s customers are located within the proposed regions.  Third, the parties recommend that 1995 and 1996 revenue sharing funds be used to defray the cost of implementing the local calling regions.  The Commission has scheduled a technical hearing in Boise for September 4-6, 1996, and has also determined to conduct public hearings for testimony by members of the public regarding the Stipulation and Settlement, particularly the creation of the EAS regions.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Staff and U S WEST propose the creation of  four local calling or EAS regions in southern Idaho.  The parties propose the following exchanges be included in the identified local calling regions:
1.Treasure Valley Region including the U S WEST exchanges of: Boise, Eagle, Idaho City, Middleton, Emmett, Caldwell, Melba, Nampa, Star, Kuna and Meridian.
2.The Magic Valley Region including the U S WEST exchanges of: Twin Falls, Jerome, Buhl, Castleford, Hagerman, Deitrich, Shoshone, Gooding, Bliss, Kimberly, Hazelton, Eden, Murtaugh and Wendell.
3.A Pocatello Region including the U S WEST exchanges of:  Pocatello, Inkom, American Falls, Lava Hot Springs, McCammon, Downey, Grace, Bancroft and Soda Springs.
4.An Idaho Falls Region including the U S WEST exchanges of: Idaho Falls, Rigby, Ririe, Roberts, Blackfoot, Shelley, Firth and Rexburg.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct public hearings at the following dates and locations:
7:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1996, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 157 NORTH BROADWAY, BLACKFOOT, IDAHO.
10:30 A.M., THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1996, JEROME COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 200 NORTH FIR, JEROME, IDAHO.
7:00 P.M., MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1996, GENERAL MEETING ROOM, CANYON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 1115 ALBANY, CALDWELL, IDAHO.
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 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 the Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Titles 61 and 62 of the Idaho Code.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this         day of July 1996.

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
Vld/N:USWS964.ws
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
Text Box 1:
TEXT BOXES
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 22, 1996