PUBLIC NOTICE![](media/image1.png){width="0.95in"
height="0.9055555555555556in"}

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th STREET, S.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 **DA 99-1609**

News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet:
http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov

**PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SEEKS
RETROACTIVE UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF BELL
ATLANTIC-WASHINGTON, D.C., INC.**

**PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED**

**CC Docket No. 96-45**

**Release Date: November 16, 1999**

**Comment Date: December 17, 1999**

**Reply Comment Date: January 7, 2000**

In the Fourth Order on Reconsideration, the Commission concluded that a
state commission that is unable to designate as an eligible
telecommunications carrier, by January 1, 1998, a carrier that sought
such designation before January 1, 1998, should be permitted, once it
has designated such carrier, to file with the Commission a petition for
waiver requesting that the carrier receive universal service support
retroactive to January 1, 1998.[^1] A state commission filing such a
petition must explain why it did not designate such carrier as eligible
by January 1, 1998 and provide a justification for why providing support
retroactive to January 1, 1998 serves the public interest. The
Commission encouraged relevant carriers to file information
demonstrating that they took reasonable steps to be designated as
eligible telecommunications carriers by January 1, 1998.

On December 17, 1998, the Public Service Commission of the District of
Columbia (DCPSC) sought universal service support retroactive to January
1, 1998 on behalf of Bell Atlantic-Washington, D.C., Inc. (BA-DC).[^2]
The DCPSC states that, on September 30, 1997, BA-DC filed an application
with it requesting designation as an eligible carrier and BA-DC
supplemented its application with additional information on December 23,
1997.[^3] The DCPSC believes a waiver is appropriate for several
reasons. First, in 1994, the Council of the District of Columbia
mandated that the DCPSC reduce its staff by 40 percent in order to
comply with a congressional mandate to reduce the total number of
positions in the District government.[^4] Second, the DCPSC, like other
District government agencies, has had considerable difficulty attracting
and retaining experienced attorneys primarily because District
government attorneys are grossly underpaid as compared to their
counterparts in the federal and private sectors.[^5] Third, the Council
eliminated the DCPSC\'s independent contracting authority as part of a
District plan to centralize procurement functions.[^6] Finally, the
DCPSC\'s workload has increased significantly.[^7] Parties wishing to
comment on this petition are directed to file comments in accordance
with the procedures set forth below.

Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission\'s rules, 47
C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on or
before **December 17, 1999**, and reply comments on or before **January
7, 2000**. 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 Fed. Reg. 24,121
(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 an electronic comment 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 \<your e-mail
address.\" 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. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appear 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, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.

Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl
Todd, Accounting Policy Division, 445 Twelfth Street S.W., Room 5-A523,
Washington, D.C. 20554. 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, 47 C.F.R. §
1.1206, 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 Katherine Schroder, Accounting Policy
Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.

[^1]: ^?^ Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Access Charge
    Reform, Price Cap Performance Review for Local Exchange Carriers,
    Transport Rate Structure and Pricing, End User Common Line Charge,
    CC Dockets 96-45, 96-262, 94-1, 91-213, 95-72, *Fourth Order on
    Reconsideration*, FCC 97-420 (rel. Dec. 30, 1997) at para. 23.

[^2]: ^?^ The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia,
    Petition for Waiver (filed Dec. 17, 1998).

[^3]: ^?^ *Id.* at 1.

[^4]: ^?^ *Id.* at 4.

[^5]: ^?^ *Id.*

[^6]: ^?^ *Id.*

[^7]: ^?^ *Id.* at 5.