26770.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. TARIFF ADVICE 96-10-N TO RESTRUCTURE LOCAL TRANSPORT CHARGES
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CASE NO. USW-T-97-3
ORDER NO.  26770
On  December 18, 1996, this Commission received Tariff Advice 96-10-N from  U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) requesting authority to restructure its Idaho access service tariff effective January 20, 1997.  After reviewing the Tariff Advice, we make the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order:
FINDINGS OF FACT
I
U S WEST has submitted a proposed schedule of rates and charges for telephone service to become effective on and after January 20, 1997.  The Tariff Advice is of sufficient importance and complexity to require the Commission’s investigation of the reasonableness of the proposed rate.
II
The Commission will be unable to consider the Tariff Advice in Case No. USW-T-97-3 before January 20, 1997, because of the complexity of the evidence presented by the Tariff Advice and because of the previously scheduled hearings and other demands on the Commission's time.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
I
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over U S WEST and its Tariff Advice by virtue of Title 61, Idaho Code and the Rules of Procedure of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, IDAPA 31.01.0001 et. seq.
II
The Commission has authority under Idaho Code § 61-622 to suspend the rates that are subject of the Tariff Advice for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the proposed effective date of January 20, 1997.
III
It is necessary to suspend the rate in this Tariff Advice for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the effective date of January 20, 1997, to allow the Commission to hear the evidence to be presented in this matter and to consider and determine the issues presented in this Tariff Advice.
O R D E R
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the proposed schedule of rates and charges for telephone service in Case No. USW-T-97-3 (Tariff Advice 96-10-N) should be, and hereby is, suspended for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from January 20, 1997, or until such time as the Commission may issue an Order accepting or rejecting or modifying the Tariff Advice in this matter.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this           day of January 1997.
                                                                                     RALPH NELSON, PRESIDENT
                                                                                     MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
                                                                                     DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

MYRNA J. WALTERS
COMMISSION SECRETARY
bls/O:uswt973.sus
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
January 15, 1997