ORDER NO. 97-160

ENTERED APR 28 1997

This is an electronic copy. Appendices not included.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

DISPOSITION: COMMUNITY OF INTEREST FOUND BETWEEN POWERS AND MYRTLE POINT; NO COMMUNITY OF INTEREST FOUND BETWEEN POWERS AND COQUILLE AND COOS BAY-NORTH BEND

On January 27, 1997, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Commission issued a proposed order in this matter. The ALJ found that the proposed Powers/Myrtle Point interexchange route satisfied the objective community of interest criteria. The ALJ further concluded, however, that neither the Powers/Coquille nor the Powers/Coos Bay-North Bend interexchange routes satisfied the objective criteria. Based on those findings, the ALJ recommended that the portion of the EAS petition requesting EAS to Coquille and Coos-Bay-North Bend be dismissed, unless the petitioners request a hearing to establish through demographic, economic, financial, or other evidence that a community of interest exists. The proposed order advised petitioners that such a request had to be filed within 15 days from the date of service.

Petitioners made no such request, and the time for doing so has expired. The proposed order, attached as Attachment 1, has been considered and is adopted.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The following interexchange routes meet the community of interest requirements of Order Nos. 89-815 and 92-1136:

Powers/Myrtle Point.

This completes Phase I of this docket. The docket is now ready to enter Phase II, the rate and cost phase of this proceeding. For Phase II, this docket will be grouped with other EAS dockets that complete Phase I by August 1, 1997. The serving telephone companies shall file proposed rates and supporting cost information by October 15, 1997.

2. The following interexchange routes do not meet the community of interest requirements of Order Nos. 89-815 and 92-1136:

Powers/Coquille

Powers/Coos Bay-North Bend

The petition for EAS between these telephone exchanges is dismissed.

Made, entered, and effective _________________.

A party may request rehearing or reconsideration of this order pursuant to ORS 756.561. A request for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the Commission within 60 days of the date of service of this order. The request must comply with the requirements in OAR 860-014-0095. A copy of any such request must also be served on each party to the proceeding as provided by OAR 860-013-0070(2). A party may appeal this order to a court pursuant to ORS 756.580.