ORDER NO. 97-241

ENTERED JUN 25 1997

This is an electronic copy.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

UM 818

DISPOSITION: APPLICATION FOR RECONSIDERATION GRANTED;

DEMOGRAPHIC HEARING TO BE HELD

Introduction

On June 20, 1997, customers of the Powers telephone exchange filed an application for reconsideration of Commission Order No. 97-160. In that order, the Commission dismissed those portions of the customers’ petition seeking extended area service (EAS) among the Powers, Coquille, and Coos Bay-North Bend telephone exchanges. The Commission dismissed those portions of the EAS petition because neither interexchange routes satisfied the Commission’s objective community of interest criteria and because the petitioners had failed to request a demographic hearing after notice.

In its application, petitioners state that notice of the Commission’s proposed dismissal was served on just one individual who was no longer actively participating in the EAS request. As a result, petitioners explain that there was no community knowledge or involvement in the process. Accordingly, petitioners ask the Commission to reconsider its decision and provide all the Powers exchange customers the opportunity to establish a community of interest with the Coquille and Coos Bay-North Bend exchanges through a demographic hearing.

Resolution

The Commission finds that good cause exists for further examination of this matter and grants the application for reconsideration pursuant to OAR 860-014-0095(3). Accordingly, a hearing shall be held as follows:

DATE: July 9, 1997

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Powers Senior Center

120 E. Fir Street

Powers, Oregon

ADMINISTRATIVE

LAW JUDGE: Michael Grant

At the hearing, petitioners need to present demographic evidence intended to establish that a community of interest exists between the Powers, Coquille, and Coos Bay-North Bend telephone exchanges. The Commission has adopted the following test for community of interest in cases where petitioners rely on demographic evidence:

A community of interest exists where there is social, economic, or political dependence or interdependence between the petitioning and requested exchange(s) sufficient to justify conversion to EAS. In making this determination, the Commission will review the following factors: (1) geographic and demographic information; (2) location of schools; (3) governmental and jurisdictional issues; (4) emergency services; (5) social services; (6) medical and dental providers; (7) employment and commuting patterns; (8) business and commercial dependence or interdependence; (9) transportation patterns; (10) the results of the objective criteria test; and (11) other factors deemed relevant by the Commission. The record need not contain evidence on each factor so long as the Commission can conclude that the record as a whole establishes sufficient interdependence or dependence between the exchanges.

Petitioners may submit written and oral comments on these factors as they relate to the Powers, Coquille, and Coos Bay-North Bend telephone exchanges.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that the application for reconsideration filed by the customers of the Powers telephone exchange is granted. A hearing shall be held as set forth above to allow the petitioners the opportunity to establish, through demographic and other evidence, that a community of interest among the Powers, Coquille and Coos Bay-North Bend telephone exchanges.

Made, entered and effective ______________________.

A party may appeal this order to a court pursuant to ORS 756.580.