971016.docx

BRAD M. PURDY
Deputy Attorney General
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID  83720-0074
Tele:  [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W Washington
Boise, ID  83702-5983
Attorney for the Commission Staff
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
ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
COMES now the Commission Staff by and through its attorney of record, Brad M.  Purdy, Deputy Attorney General, and in Answer to the Petition for Reconsideration filed in this matter by AT&T Communications of the Mountain States, Inc. (AT&T) on October 9, 1997, states as follows:
Staff believes that Order No. 27145 issued in this case by the Commission on September 18, 1997, is reasonable, lawful, not erroneous and is consistent with the law.  Consequently, Staff believes that the Commission should deny AT&T’s Petition for Reconsideration.  Staff has not yet had the opportunity to fully analyze and respond to all of the contentions set forth in AT&T’s Petition and requests that if the Commission is inclined to reconsider its final Order, that it solicit comments prior to making a final decision on reconsideration.
RESPECTIVELY submitted this                     day of October 1997.

Brad M. Purdy
vld/N:USW-T-97-3.bp