[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42224-42225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20689]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[CS Docket No. 97-98; DA 97-1583]


Pole Attachments

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of time.

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SUMMARY: The Cable Services Bureau, released an Order which granted the 
Motion for Extension of Time filed by Carolina Power & Light Company, 
Delmarva Power & Light Company, Atlantic City Electric Company, Entergy 
Services, Florida Power Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Power 
Company, Potomac Electric Power Company, Public Service Company of 
Colorado, Southern Company, Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power, 
Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric, Tampa Electric Company and 
Virginia Power, including North Carolina Power (collectively, 
``Electric Utilities'') in Amendment of Rules and Policies Governing 
Pole Attachments (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking''). The Bureau found 
that good cause existed to grant a two week extension of time up to and 
including August 11, 1997. This extension of time is granted in view of 
the complexity of the issues presented, and in order to facilitate the 
development of a complete record in this proceeding.

DATES: Reply comments are now due on or before August 11, 1997.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Egler, Cable Services Bureau, 
(202) 418-2319, TTY (202) 418-7172.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Cable Services 
Bureau's Order, CS Docket No. 97-98, DA 97-1583, adopted July 24, 1997 
and released July 25, 1997, in the Amendment of Rules and Policies 
Governing Pole Attachments, 62 FR 18074 (April 14, 1997). 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, D.C. 20554, and may be purchased from the Commission's 
copy contractor, International Transcription Service, (202) 857-3800, 
1919 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 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 were due 
June 27, 1997, and reply comments are due July 28, 1997.
    2. On July, 21, 1997, Carolina Power & Light Company, Delmarva 
Power & Light Company, Atlantic City Electric Company, Entergy 
Services, Florida Power Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Power 
Company, Potomac Electric Power Company, Public Service Company of 
Colorado, Southern Company, Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power, 
Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric, Tampa Electric Company and 
Virginia Power, including North Carolina Power (collectively, 
``Electric Utilities'') filed a Motion for Extension of Time 
(``Motion'') to file reply comments. The Electric Utilities request 
that the Commission grant a two week extension of time to file reply 
comments, up to and including August 11, 1997. The Electric Utilities 
contend that an extension of time is needed in light of the decision of 
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Iowa Utilities 
Board v. F.C.C., No. 96-3321, et al., where the Court ruled on 
interconnection service issues. They contend that issues raised in the 
instant proceeding parallel issues decided in Iowa Utility Board and 
they argue that an extension of time will be productive in assessing 
that decision's impact on the instant rulemaking.
    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. Thus, reply comments will now be due by August 11, 
1997.

Ordering Clauses

    4. Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to Secs. 0.321 and 1.46 of 
the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.321 and 1.46, that the Motion for 
Extension of Time filed by Carolina Power & Light

[[Page 42225]]

Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company, Atlantic City Electric 
Company, Entergy Services, Florida Power Corporation, Pacific Gas and 
Electric Power Company, Potomac Electric Power Company, Public Service 
Company of Colorado, Southern Company, Georgia Power, Alabama Power, 
Gulf Power, Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric, Tampa Electric 
Company and Virginia Power, including North Carolina Power is granted.
    5. It is further ordered that all interested parties may file reply 
comments on the matters discussed in the Commission's Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking by August 11, 1997.

Federal Communications Commission.
John E. Logan,
Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau.
[FR Doc. 97-20689 Filed 8-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P