[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61330-61331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26599]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-45; FCC 00J-3]


Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on 
Rural Task Force Recommendation

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: In a Public Notice in this proceeding released on October 4, 
2000, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service sought comment 
on the Rural Task Force recommendation for universal service reform for 
rural carriers.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 3, 2000 and reply comments 
on or before November 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES: See Supplementary Information section for where and how to 
file comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Fullano (202) 418-7400 TTY: (202) 
418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the May 1997 Universal Service Order, 62 
FR 32862 (June 17, 1997), the Commission, acting on the recommendation 
of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (the Joint 
Board), encouraged the Joint Board to establish a Rural Task Force to 
``provide valuable assistance in identifying the issues unique to rural 
carriers and analyzing the appropriateness of proxy cost models for 
rural carriers.'' On September 17, 1997, the Joint Board announced the 
creation of the Rural Task Force and directed it to present a report to 
the Joint Board making specific recommendations on the establishment of 
a forward-looking economic cost mechanism for rural telephone 
companies. The Joint Board will consider this report in formulating a 
recommendation to the Commission for universal service reform for rural 
carriers.
    On September 29, 2000, the Rural Task Force submitted the Rural 
Task Force Recommendation To The Federal-State Joint Board On Universal 
Service. This recommendation, as well as supporting materials, are 
available on the Joint Board's Web page at http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/universal service/joint.html and the Rural Task Force's Web site at 
http://www.wutc.wa.gov/rtf. Consistent with the procedures outlined 
below, the Joint Board seeks comment on the recommendation.
    Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 
CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on or before 
November 3, 2000, and reply comments on or before November 30, 2000. 
All filings should reference Federal-State Joint Board On Universal 
Service, CC Docket No. 96-45, Comments on the Rural Task Force 
Recommendation 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. See Electronic Filing 
of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). Comments 
filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the 
Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>. Generally, only one 
copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or 
rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, 
commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each 
docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. 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 [email protected], and should include the following words 
in the body of the message, ``get form your e-mail address>.'' A sample 
form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file 
by paper must file an

[[Page 61331]]

original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or 
rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters 
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or 
rulemaking number. All filings must be sent to the Commission's 
Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
    Parties should also send three paper copies of their filing to 
Sheryl Todd, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street SW., Room 5-B540, 
Washington, DC 20554 and to the individuals listed on the attached 
service list. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.

    Dated: October 11, 2000.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.

Service List

The Honorable Susan Ness, Commissioner, FCC Joint Board Chair, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Rm. 8-B115H, 
Washington, DC 20554
The Honorable Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Commissioner, Federal 
Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W., Rm. 8-B115H, 
Washington, DC 20554
The Honorable Gloria Tristani, Commissioner, Federal Communications 
Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Rm. 8-B115H, Washington, DC 20554
The Honorable Laska Schoenfelder, Commissioner, State Joint Board 
Chair, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, State Capitol, 500 
East Capitol Street, Pierre, SD 57501-5070
The Honorable Martha Hogerty, Public Counsel, Missouri Office of Public 
Counsel, 301 West High St., Suite 250, Truman Building, P.O. Box 7800, 
Jefferson City, MO 65102
The Honorable Bob Rowe, Commissioner, Montana Public Service 
Commission, 1701 Prospect Avenue, P.O. Box 202601, Helena, MT 59620-
2601
The Honorable Patrick H.Wood, III, Chairman, Texas Public Utility 
Commission, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, TX 
78711-3326
The Honorable Nanette G. Thompson, Chair, Regulatory Commission of 
Alaska 1016 West Sixth Avenue, Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501-1693
Rowland Curry, Chief Engineer, Texas Public Utility Commission, 1701 
North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, TX 78701-3326
Greg Fogleman, Economic Analyst, Florida Public Service Commission, 
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Gerald Gunter Bldg., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
Mary E.Newmeyer, Federal Affairs Advisor, Alabama Public Service 
Commission, 100 N. Union Street, Ste. 800, Montgomery, AL 36104
Joel Shifman, Senior Advisor, Maine Public Utilities Commission, 242 
State Street, State House Station 18, Augusta ME 04333-0018
Peter Bluhm, Director of Policy Research, Vermont Public Service Board, 
Drawer 20, 112 State St., 4th Floor, Montpieller, VT 05620-2701
Charlie Bolle, Policy Advisor, Nevada Public Utilities Commission, 1150 
E. Williams Street, Carson City, NV 89701-3105
Carl Johnson, Telecom Policy Analyst, New York Public Service 
Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350
Lori Kenyon, Common Carrier Specialist, Regulatory Commission of 
Alaska, 1016 West 6th Ave, Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501
Susan Stevens Miller, Assistant General Counsel, Maryland Public 
Service Commission, 16th Floor, 6 Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-6806
Tom Wilson, Economist, Washington Utilities & Transportation 
Commission, 1300 Evergreen Park Drive, S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, 
WA 98504-7250
Philip McClelland, Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate, PA Office of 
Consumer Advocate, 555 Walnut Street, Forum Place, 5th Floor, 
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1923
Barbara Meisenheimer, Consumer Advocate, Missouri Office of Public 
Counsel, 301 West High St., Suite 250, Truman Building, P.O. Box 7800, 
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Earl Poucher, Legislative Analyst, Office of the Public Counsel, 111 
West Madison, Rm. 812, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1400
Ann Dean, Assistant Director, Maryland Public Service Commission, 16th 
Floor, 6 Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-6806
David Dowds, Public Utilities Supervisor, Florida Public Service 
Commission, 2540 Shumard Oaks Blvd., Gerald Gunter Bldg., Tallahassee, 
FL 32399-0850

[FR Doc. 00-26599 Filed 10-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P