28197.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO RATE CENTER CONSOLIDATION FOR U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTHERN IDAHO TO CONSERVE AVAILABLE NXX CODES. )
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CASE NO. USW-T-99-21

ORDER NO. 28197

On October 26, 1999, U S WEST Communications filed a Motion requesting that the Commission grant an extension in which to file its comments in the above referenced case. In Order No. 28144, the Commission requested interested parties to file comments no later than November 4, 1999, regarding the consolidation of telephone prefixes and rate centers in U S WEST’s southern Idaho service area. In its Motion, U S WEST requests that the Commission extend the initial comment period by 14 days or to November 18, 1999. The Commission Staff did not oppose the Company’s Motion.
The Commission’s Procedural Rule 256 prescribes the procedure for ruling on Motions. IDAPA 31.01.01.256. Motions requesting procedural relief on fewer than 14 days’ notice usually requires that all parties receive actual notice of the Motion. In addition, the Commission will normally allow two days after actual receipt of the Motion for parties to inform the Commission Secretary whether they support or oppose the Motion. IDAPA 31.01.01.256.02 and .03. In this instance, the Company seeks relief on less than 14 days’ notice. Although the service list for the Company’s Motion indicates that all parties were served, the Motion is silent as to the position to the other parties (Idaho Telephone Association, GTE Northwest, AT&T Communications, and the collective group of Century Telephone, Potlatch Telephone and Troy Telephone). However, none of the other parties have contacted the Commission Secretary to support or oppose the Motion. Procedural Rule 256.03 provides that the Commission may act on Motions for Procedural Relief “without waiting for responses of other parties.” IDAPA 31.01.01.256.03.
In its Notice of Modified Procedure, the Commission established an initial and reply comment cycles. In its Motion, U S WEST requested that the initial reply comment period be postponed by 14 days but its Motion was silent as to the due date for reply comments. In the Commission’s Notice of Modified Procedure, reply comments are to be submitted no later than November 24, 1999. If the Commission were inclined to grant U S WEST’s Motion, then initial comments would be due on November 18 and reply comments would be due less than a week later on November 24. Consequently, the Staff recommends that the deadline for reply comments also be extended to provide the parties with an opportunity to review the initial comments.

DISCUSSION
Based upon our review of U S WEST’s Motion and the lack of any objection, we find it reasonable to grant the Motion. Accordingly, initial comments in this case shall be due no later than November 18, 1999. We also agree with the Staff’s recommendation that the deadline for reply comments should also be extended. Thus, we shall extend the due date for reply comments to December 9, 1999.

O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that U S WEST’s Motion for an extension of time is granted. Parties and other interested persons may submit initial comments in this case no later than November 18, 1999. Reply comments shall be filed no later than December 9, 1999.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of November 1999.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

vld/O:USW-T-99-21_dh2

ORDER NO. 28197 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 8, 1999