********************* ********************* ************** NOTICE ********************* ********************* ************** This document was converted from WordPerfect or Word to ASCII Text format. Content from the original version of the document such as headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers will not show up in this text version. All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the original document will not show up in this text version. Features of the original document layout such as columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins will not be preserved in the text version. If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ********************* ********************* ********************* ** PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 99-2677 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov FORMAL REQUEST FROM STATE MEMBERS OF FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON SEPARATIONS FOR NOTICE AND COMMENT ON SEPARATIONS SIMULATION COST STUDY TOOL PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED CC Docket No. 80-286 Release Date: December 1, 1999 Comment Date: December 17, 1999 On October 27, 1999, the State Members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations (State Members) filed a "Request for the FCC to Notice and Solicit Comment on their Separations Simulations Cost Study Tool." The State Members request that the Commission seek comment on the proposed use of their separations simulation cost study analysis tool. The State Members state that the purpose of the cost study analysis tool is to assist the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations (Separations Joint Board) in evaluating the effects of separations rule changes proposed in response to the Commission's Separations Reform NPRM. The cost study analysis tool applies the FCC's current Part 36 rules to an incumbent local exchange carrier's (ILEC's) Automated Reporting Management Information System (ARMIS) 43-04 information. The study develops a base case interstate and intrastate revenue requirement using company-specific information. An input sheet is included which allows the user to change various traffic factors, plant categorizations, tax rates, and the rate of return. The cost study tool calculates the adjusted interstate and intrastate revenue requirements and resultant cost shifts associated with the changes. The State Members are in the process of modifying the cost study analysis tool so that it can be utilized for the analysis of cost data for non-ARMIS companies. Pursuant to the State Members' Request, the Commission seeks comment on the use of this tool by the Separations Joint Board to evaluate separations reform proposals. Copies of the cost study analysis tool and an attached memorandum are available on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' (NARUC's) webpage (http://www.naruc.org/Telecomm/separations_joint_board.htm). Once the cost study analysis tool is modified for utilization with data for non-ARMIS companies, a copy will be filed with the Commission and then posted to the NARUC web page. In addition, the results from different runs conducted by the Separations Joint Board utilizing the cost study analysis tool may be posted periodically to the NARUC webpage. Procedure for Filing Comments Pursuant to Sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, interested parties may file comments on or before December 17, 1999. All filings should reference Jurisdictional Separations Reform and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board, CC Docket No. 80-286, Comments on the Separation Simulation Cost Study Tool, and should include the FCC number shown on this Public Notice. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit electronic comments by Internet e-mail. To receive filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, "get form ." A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. All filings must be sent to the Commission's Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties should also send paper copies of their filings to the individuals listed in the attached Service List. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission's Rules, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure. For further information, contact Andrew Firth, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7426, TTY (202) 418-2224, afirth@fcc.gov, or Will Cox, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-2173, wcox@fcc.gov. SERVICE LIST The Honorable William E. Kennard, Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 The Honorable Susan Ness, Commissioner Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 The Honorable Michael K. Powell, Commissioner Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 The Honorable Diane Munns, Commissioner Iowa Utilities Board 350 Maple Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0069 The Honorable Joan H. Smith, Commissioner Oregon Public Utility Commission 550 Capitol Street, N.E., Suite 215 Salem, OR 97310-2551 The Honorable Thomas L. Welch, Chairman Maine Public Utilities Commission State House Station #18 242 State Street Augusta, ME 04333 Stephen Burnett Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Will Cox, Federal Joint Board Staff Chair Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Andy Firth Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Robert Loube Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Sheryl Todd Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-B540 Washington, DC 20554 Sharon Webber, Deputy Division Chief Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Peter Bluhm Vermont Public Service Board Drawer 20 112 State St., 4th Floor Montpelier, VT 05620-2701 Ingo Henningsen Utah Public Service Commission 160 East 300 South, Box 146751 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6751 Sandy Ibaugh Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission 302 W. Washington, Suite E-306 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Lori Kenyon Regulatory Commission of Alaska 1016 West 6th Ave, Suite 400 Anchorage, AK 99501-1963 Jonathan Lakritz California Public Utilities Commission Telecommunications Division 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 3203 San Francisco, CA 94102 Samuel Loudenslager, State Joint Board Staff Chair Arkansas Public Service Commission 1000 Center Street Little Rock, AR 72201 David Lynch Iowa Utilities Board 350 Maple Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0069 J. Bradford Ramsay National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners P.O. Box 684 Washington, DC 20044-0683 Joel B. Shifman Maine Public Utilities Commission State House Station #18 242 State Street Augusta, ME 04333 Fred Sistarenik New York State Department of Public Service Communications Division 3 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12223 Cynthia Van Landuyt Oregon Public Utility Commission 550 Capitol Street, N.E., Suite 215 Salem, OR 97310-2551