ORDER NO. 96-018

ENTERED JAN 12 1996

THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC COPY

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

UM 754

UM 755

DISPOSITION: COMMUNITY OF INTEREST FOUND BETWEEN

DAYVILLE AND MT. VERNON; DAYVILLE AND JOHN

DAY; AND MT. VERNON AND JOHN DAY.

On November 21, 1995, Administrative Law Judge Michael Grant issued a proposed order in this consolidated matter. These cases were consolidated due to the fact that both dockets seek extended area service between the Mt. Vernon and Dayville exchanges. The proposed order found that one petition (UM 754) failed to establish a community of interest between the exchanges and recommended that the Commission dismiss that portion of the request. The proposed order noted, however, that the recommendation did not have an adverse affect on EAS between Mt. Vernon and Dayville due to the fact the other docket (UM 755) established a community of interest between the two exchanges. Because EAS is a two-way service, customers in both exchanges will receive EAS to the other exchange, assuming Commission approval of the UM 755 petition.

The proposed order advised that exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's recommendation could be filed within 15 days from the date of service.

On December 5, 1995, Debbie Kowlaski, on behalf of the Dayville exchange petitioners, filed a letter with the Commission with additional information intended to show that a community of interest exists between the Mt. Vernon and Dayville exchanges.

On December 6, 1995, Gary E. Miller, Manager of the Oregon Telephone Corporation (OTC), filed a letter with the Commission requesting that an order in these dockets be delayed. Mr. Miller indicated that OTC will soon file a petition with the Commission requesting EAS between other telephone exchanges in Grant County. Mr. Miller apparently wants the Commission to address EAS conversion for all the Grant County exchanges in one order.

The Commission will not delay the issuance of this order. If the other Grant County petitions satisfy the Commission's community of interest criteria by August 1, 1996, they will be consolidated with these dockets for the Phase II, Tariff Analysis. OTC's request is denied.

The Commission has considered the proposed order, attached as Attachment 1, and adopts it.

IT IS ORDERED that:

The following interexchange routes have met the community of interest requirements of Orders No. 89-815 and 92-1136:

Mt. Vernon/John Day

Dayville/Mt. Vernon

Dayville/John Day

These routes are now ready to enter Phase II, the rate and cost phase. For Phase II, these dockets will be grouped with other EAS dockets that complete Phase I by August 1, 1996. The serving telephone companies shall file proposed rates and supporting cost information by October 15, 1996.

2. The Dayville portion of the Mt. Vernon petition (UM 754) is dismissed.

Made, entered, and effective _________________.

A party may request rehearing or reconsideration of this order pursuant to ORS 756.561. A party may appeal this order pursuant to ORS 756.580.