97-12598. Amendment of Rules and Policies Governing Pole Attachments

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 26465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12598]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[CS Docket No. 97-98; DA 97-894]


Amendment of Rules and Policies Governing Pole Attachments

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of time period.

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SUMMARY: The Cable Services Bureau, released an Order which denied in 
part and granted in part, the Motion for Extension of Time filed by AEP 
Service Corporation, Commonwealth Edison Company, Duke Power Company, 
Florida Power and Light Company and Northern States Power Company in 
Amendment of Rules and Policies Governing Pole Attachments, 62 FR 18074 
(April 14, 1997) (``Notice of Proposed Rulemaking''). The Bureau found 
that good cause existed to grant a 45-day extension of time to file 
initial comments.

DATES: Comments are now due on or before June 27, 1997 and Reply 
Comments are now due on or before July 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth W. Beaty, Cable Services 
Bureau, [phone], TTY [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Cable Services 
Bureau's Order, CS Docket No. 97-98, DA 97-894, adopted April 28, 1997 
and released April 29, 1997, in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The 
full text of this decision is available for inspection and copying 
during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 
1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20554, and may be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
[phone], 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20554. For copies in 
alternative formats, such as braille, audio cassette, or large print, 
please contact Sheila Ray at International Transcription Service.

Synopsis of the Order

    1. On March 14, 1997, the Commission commenced a rulemaking 
proceeding to propose modifications to the Commission's rules relating 
to the maximum just and reasonable rates utilities may charge for 
attachments to a pole, duct, conduit or right-of-way. Comments are due 
May 12, 1997, and reply comments are due June 12, 1997.
    2. On April 4, 1997, AEP Service Corporation, Commonwealth Edison 
Company, Duke Power Company, Florida Power and Light Company and 
Northern States Power Company (``Utilities'') filed a Motion for 
Extension of Time (``Motion'') to file comments and reply comments. The 
Utilities request that the Commission grant a 60-day extension to file 
initial comments and request that the reply period be increased from 30 
to 45 days. The Utilities contend that the rulemaking addresses a 
complex subject matter which affects not only utilities, but 
telecommunications carriers and cable operators, and that an extensive 
review of the accounting systems used to compute a reasonable pole 
attachment rate may be necessary.
    3. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are 
not routinely granted. In view of the complexity of the issues 
presented, and in order to facilitate the development of a complete 
record in this proceeding, we find that good cause exists to grant an 
extension of time. We do not agree, however, that a 60-day extension of 
time to file initial comments and an increase from 30 to 45 days to 
file reply comments is warranted. Thus, we will grant a 45-day 
extension of time in which to file initial comments and will adjust the 
due date for reply comments accordingly, but we will not increase the 
length of the reply comment period. Thus, initial comments are due by 
June 27, 1997, and reply comments are due by July 28, 1997.

Ordering Clauses

    4. Accordingly, it is Ordered, pursuant to Sections 0.321 and 1.46 
of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR Secs. 0.321 and 1.46, that the Motion 
for Extension of Time filed by AEP Service Corporation, Commonwealth 
Edison Company, Duke Power Company, Florida Power and Light Company and 
Northern States Power Company is Granted to the extent indicated herein 
and is Denied in all other respects.
    5. It is further Ordered that all interested parties may file 
comments on the matters discussed in the Commission's Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking by June 27, 1997, and reply comments by July 28, 
1997.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 1

    Administrative practice and procedures, Communications common 
carriers, Investigations, Lawyers, Penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Telecommunications.

Federal Communications Commission.
Meredith J. Jones,
Chief, Cable Services Bureau.
[FR Doc. 97-12598 Filed 5-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P