20240808Notice of Supplemental Comment and Reply Deadlines Order No 36284.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 8,2024
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF TRUCONNECT ) CASE NO. TCC-T-24-01
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.'S )
APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS ) NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL
AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ) COMMENT AND REPLY
CARRIER ) DEADLINES
ORDER NO. 36284
On March 4, 2024, TruConnect Communications, Inc. ("Company") applied to the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") for designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier("ETC") in the State of Idaho. The Company requested designation as an ETC for the sole
purpose of providing Lifeline services. The Company asked that it be allowed to participate and
receive reimbursement from the Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program accordingly.
On June 20, 2024, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and set deadlines for
public comments and the Company's reply. Order No. 36227.
The Company submitted materials supplementing its Application on July 9, 2024.
Staff submitted comments on July 11, 2024. Staff argued that the Company's request for
ETC status should be denied.Among other things, Staff argued that the Company failed to meet
the necessary requirements for an ETC to remain functional in an emergency and promote the
public interest.
The Company submitted Reply Comments on July 18,2024. The Company argued that the
items of non-compliance referred to by Staff were not actually requirements for obtaining ETC
status. Therefore, the Company argued it should not be denied ETC status for not abiding by these
non-mandatory items.
At the Commission's July 30,2024,decision meeting, Staff recommended the Commission
issue a Notice of Supplemental Comment and Reply Deadlines. Staff stood by its recommendation
but opined that adding additional documentation and analysis to the record would place the
Commission in the best position to make a fully informed decision. Staff recommended the
Commission establish an August 16, 2024, Staff supplemental comment deadline and an August
NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENT COMMENT AND REPLY DEADLINES
ORDER NO. 36284 1

30, 2024, Company supplemental reply comment deadline to allow for the record to be more fully
developed.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Supplemental Comment and Reply Deadlines.
COMMISSION DECISION
Having reviewed Staff s request to add to the record, we believe that it is reasonable to
grant the parties additional time to file supplemental comments and supplemental reply comments.
This finding is based on Staffs representation that the record would be more fully developed if
the Commission allowed another round of comments in this case. We agree that it is important to
have a fully developed record to inform our decisions and find Staff s suggestion provides the
greatest opportunity for a complete record. Accordingly,we find that it is reasonable to grant Staff
until August 16, 2024,to file its supplemental comments and the Company until August 30,2024,
to file its supplemental reply.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Commission now issues a Notice of Supplemental
Comment and Reply Deadlines establishing an August 16, 2024, Staff supplemental comment
deadline and an August 30, 2024, Company supplemental reply comment deadline.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary.See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
THIS IS AN INTERLOCUTORY ORDER rather than a final and appealable order of the
Commission.While the Commission may review, stay,or clarify an interlocutory order,the period
of reconsideration will not begin until the Final Order is issued.
NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENT COMMENT AND REPLY DEADLINES
ORDER NO. 36284 2

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 8t' day of
August 2024.
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT
AOHN . HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
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I:\Legal\TELECOWTCCT2401\TCCT2401 Ntc_Supp_md.docx
NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENT COMMENT AND REPLY DEADLINES
ORDER NO. 36284 3