990606_ws.doc

DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
MYRNA WALTERS
RON LAW
TONYA CLARK
STEPHANIE MILLER
DON HOWELL
LYNN ANDERSON
JOE CUSICK
CAROLEE HALL
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE

FROM: WELDON STUTZMAN

DATE: JUNE 9, 1999

RE: CASE NO. USW-T-99-6
APPROVAL OF U S WEST TARIFF ADVICE NO. 99-05-S TO IMPLEMENT EXTENDED AREA SERVICE RATE FOR BURLEY/CASSIA

On April 14, 1999, U S WEST filed Tariff Advice No. 99-05-S seeking authorization to increase basic rates for its customers in the Burley exchange. Tariff Advice 99-05-S is a compliance filing following implementation of extended area service for U S WEST customers in the Burley exchange to the Albion Telephone Company exchanges located in Albion, Malta, Almo, Elba and Raft River. The Commission previously approved a cost recovery methodology for U S WEST to allow for recovery of its costs associated with implementing the extended calling area. Tariff Advice 99-05-S, applying the cost recovery methodology approved by the Commission, results in a rate increase of $1.13 per month per customer in U S WEST’s Burley exchange.
On May 3, 1999, the Commission issued a Notice of Tariff Advice and Notice of Modified Procedure. During the comment period, the Commission received eight letters from customers in the Burley/Declo serving area, six of which opposed the rate increase. Staff filed written comments recommending approval based on the Commission’s approval of the cost recovery methodology and the Commission’s approval of the extended area service for these customers.
Staff recommends that the Commission approve Tariff Advice No. 99-05-S since it is consistent with previous Commission Orders approving a cost recovery methodology and implementing EAS in the Mini Cassia region.
COMMISSION DECISION
Should U S WEST’s Tariff Advice No. 99-05-S be approved?

Weldon B. Stutzman
Deputy Attorney General

bls/M:uswt996_ws
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2