ORDER NO. 97-282

ENTERED JUL 30 1997

This is an electronic copy.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

UT 140

DISPOSITION: DOCKET UT 140 CLOSED; ADVICE NO. 1677 PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED; ADVICE NO. 1683 IMPLEMENTED SUBJECT TO REFUND; INVESTIGATION OF ADVICE NO. 1683 ADDED TO DOCKET UT 138.

On June 20, 1997, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (USWC), filed rate schedules in Advice No. 1677 with an effective date of July 9, 1997. The filing was supplemented on July 1, 1997, and was designated as docket UT 140.

At its July 8, 1997 regular public meeting, the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (Commission) suspended the Advice No. 1677 for six months pursuant to ORS 759.185. The Commission indicated that it would include the filing as part of the pending investigation in docket UT 138 and allow the tariff rates to take effect subject to refund, if USWC would resubmit the filing with the price increases listed on Sheet 5, Section 10 removed.

On July 11, 1997, USWC filed Advice No. 1683, replacing Advice No. 1677 by removing the price increases listed on Sheet 5 of Section 10 of Advice No. 1677, as discussed at the July 8, 1997, public meeting.

On July 15, 1997, the Commission held a special public meeting to consider recommendations from its Staff. The Staff proposed that the Commission (a) allow Advice No. 1683 to take effect subject to refund pursuant to ORS 759.185; (b) add the investigation of Advice No. 1683 to the pending investigation in docket UT 138; (c) approve implementation of the Advice No. 1683 on a less than statutory notice and; (d) close docket UT 140. Staff’s recommendations are attached as Appendix A and incorporated in this order by reference.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Advice No. 1677 is permanently suspended and docket UT 140 is closed.

2. Advice No. 1683 shall take effect subject to refund pursuant to ORS 759.185 and subject to the provisions in Order No. 97-153 relating to Advice No. 1661.

3. The investigation of Advice No. 1683 is added to the investigation in docket UT 138.

Made, entered, and effective ________________________.

A party may request rehearing or reconsideration of this order pursuant to ORS 756.561. An application for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the Commission within 60 days of the date of service of this order and must comply with the requirements in OAR 860-014-0095. A copy of any such application 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.