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

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th STREET, S.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 **DA 99-2677**

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."[^1] 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)[^2] in evaluating the effects of separations
rule changes proposed in response to the Commission's *Separations
Reform NPRM*.[^3]

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.[^4] 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.[^5] 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**.[^6] 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.[^7]

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 \<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. 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.[^8]

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 12^th^ Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

The Honorable Susan Ness, Commissioner

Federal Communications Commission

445 12^th^ Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

The Honorable Michael K. Powell, Commissioner

Federal Communications Commission

445 12^th^ 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 12^th^ Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

Will Cox, Federal Joint Board Staff Chair

Federal Communications Commission

Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division

445 12^th^ Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

Andy Firth

Federal Communications Commission

Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division

445 12^th^ Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

Robert Loube

Federal Communications Commission

Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division

445 12^th^ Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

Sheryl Todd

Federal Communications Commission

Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division

445 12^th^ Street, S.W., Room 5-B540

Washington, DC 20554

Sharon Webber, Deputy Division Chief

Federal Communications Commission

Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division

445 12^th^ 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

[^1]: Letter from J. Bradford Ramsay, NARUC, to the Honorable William
    Kennard, FCC, *State Member Request for the FCC to Notice and
    Solicit Comment on Cost Study Analysis Tool*, dated October 27, 1999
    (*State Separations Tool Request*).

[^2]: A service list for the Separations Joint Board's federal and state
    commissioners and staff is attached to this Public Notice.

[^3]: *See Jurisdictional Separations Reform and Referral to the
    Federal-State Joint Board*, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket
    No. 80-286, 12 FCC Rcd 22120 (1997) (*Separations Reform NPRM*).

[^4]: *See* 47 C.F.R. Part 36.

[^5]: *See State Separations Tool Request* at p.1.

[^6]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419.

[^7]: *See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings*, 63
    Fed. Reg. 24,121 (1998).

[^8]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206.