1998NOV.docx

WELDON B. STUTZMAN
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 PETITIONS FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS) BETWEEN BURLEY, IDAHO AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN CASSIA COUNTY.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS)
BETWEEN MALAD CITY AND REXBURG AND SURROUNDING AREAS, AND BETWEEN LOST RIVERS VALLEY AND OTHER SOUTHEAST IDAHO COMMUNITIES
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CASE NO. GNR-T-96-9
CASE NO. GNR-T-97-6
PROCEDURAL STIPULATION AND NOTICE OF SETTLE­MENT MEETING
This matter has been set for a technical hearing on Tuesday, December 8, 1998, to present evidence to the Commission regarding the implementation of Extended Area Service (EAS) for customers of Albion Telephone Company and Westel, Inc. into exchanges operated by U S WEST.  Direct testimony was prefiled by representatives of Albion/Westel, U S WEST, and the Commission Staff.  Rebuttal testimony is due by the parties on or before November 30, 1998.
Differences have arisen between the parties regarding cost and accounting issues in the case and their presentation to the Commission.  In addition, other cases or matters outside the record in this case may be relevant to resolution of some of the issues in this case.  The parties anticipate that a settlement conference to occur after additional information is exchanged may result in a stipulation to resolve issues in this case, as well as in the other related cases.  Accordingly, the parties stipulate and agree to this procedural schedule, and to conduct a settlement meeting on January 6, 1999.
Albion Telephone Company and Westel, Inc., U S WEST, and the Commission Staff agree and stipulate as follows:
1.  The technical hearing on December 8, 1998, will occur as scheduled only for the purpose of presenting to the Commission evidence regarding community-of-interest and other public interest issues relative to the petitions in this case.  Only rebuttal testimony regarding community-of-interest issues will be filed by November 30, 1998.
2.  Staff will recommend that Applications filed by Albion/Westel in Case No. ALB-T-98-3 (Application for Approval of Merger of the Companies) and Case No. ALB-T-98-4 (Application for approval of interconnection agreement and implementation of EAS with Project Mutual) will be processed by Modified Procedure.  
3.  The parties will conduct a settlement meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 1999, at 9:30 a.m. to discuss possible settlement of cost and other financial issues identified in this case, and other relevant issues.  Any settlement reached will be presented to the Commission for approval.
NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT MEETING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that representatives of Albion Telephone, Westel, Inc., U S WEST and Commission Staff will hold a settlement meeting in this case on Wednesday, January 6, 1999, at 9:30 a.m. in the hearing room of the Commission.
DATED this                  day of November 1998.
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
By
                                                                                                                                      Weldon B.  Stutzman
ALBION TELEPHONE COMPANY
By
                                                                                           Conley Ward
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Mary S. Hobson
vld/N:GNR-T-96-9.ws