NOTICE OF UTILITY APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE SERVICE
The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that on May 5, 2016, Alascom, Inc. d/b/a AT&T Alaska (AT&T Alaska) filed an application seeking authority to permanently discontinue intrastate interexchange (IXC) service in Healy Lake, and be relieved of its interexchange carrier of last resort (IXC COLR) duties in Healy Lake. Docket No. U-16-052 has been opened to address this matter.
Alaska Telephone Company, the local exchange service provider in Healy Lake, filed an application to discontinue local exchange telephone (LEC) service in Healy Lake. Alaska Power Company, the commercial power producer in Healy Lake, filed an application to discontinue electric service in Healy Lake and transfer operating assets to the Healy Lake Village Council. AT&T Alaska asserts it is unable to provide IXC service without a local exchange carrier and a reliable power source and indicates that IXC service was temporarily suspended to the community in March, 2015. AT&T Alaska further states it has not had any requests for service during the suspension period.
AT&T Alaska maintains that without a corresponding local exchange carrier, it is unable to meet its IXC COLR obligations in Healy Lake, and requests the Commission relieve AT&T Alaska of IXC COLR obligations in Healy Lake.
In accordance with AS 42.05.261(a), a public utility may not discontinue or abandon service unless, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, the Commission finds that continued service is not required by the public convenience and necessity. A hearing may be scheduled by the Commission in a future order to allow interested persons to voice their support for or opposition to AT&T Alaska’s proposed discontinuance of IXC service in Healy Lake.
No motion for waiver or petition for confidentiality was filed with the application, and the Commission has not assessed the completeness of the application. The Commission may determine whether the application is complete by May 20, 2016.
You may obtain information about this application by contacting Cindy Manheim, General Counsel for AT&T Alaska at P.O. Box 97061, Redmond, WA 98073; phone: (425) 580-8112. The complete application is also available for inspection at the Commission’s office at 701 West 8th Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501; phone: (907) 276-6222, or may be viewed at the Commission’s website at http://rca.alaska.gov by typing Docket No. “U-16-052” in the Find a Matter search box.
To comment on this application, please file your comments by 5:00 p.m., on June 8, 2016, at the Commission’s address given above or via our website at:
https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx.
Please reference Docket No. U-16-052 and include a statement that you’ve filed a copy of the comments with AT&T Alaska at its address given above.
Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats, please contact Joyce McGowan at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782, TTY (907) 276-4533 or send a request via electronic mail to rca.mail@alaska.gov by May 31, 2016.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 9th day of May, 2016.
REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA
Robert M. Pickett
Chairman