ORDER NO. 97-431

ENTERED NOV 04 1997

This is an electronic copy.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

UM 854

DISPOSITION: NO COMMUNITY OF INTEREST FOUND; PETITION DENIED.

On September 25, 1997, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a proposed order in this matter. The ALJ concluded that the proposed interexchange routes between the Chemult/Chiloquin and the Chemult/Klamath Falls telephone exchanges did not meet the Commission’s objective criteria for a community of interest set forth in Order Nos. 89-815 and 92-1136. Based on that conclusion, the ALJ recommended that the extended area service (EAS) petition be dismissed, unless the petitioners requested an opportunity to establish, through demographic, economic, financial, and other evidence, that a community of interest exists. The proposed order advised the petitioners that such a request had to be filed within 15 days from the date of service.

Petitioners did not request a demographic hearing, 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 do not meet the objective community of interest requirements of Order Nos. 89-815 and 92-1136:

Chemult/Chiloquin

Chemult/Klamath Falls

Petitioners did not request an opportunity to establish through demographic, economic, financial, or other evidence that a community of interest exists between the exchanges.

The petition for extended area service between the Chemult, Chiloquin, and Klamath Falls telephone exchanges is denied.

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.