Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 860 - PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION › Division 34 - SMALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITIES AND COOPERATIVES › Section 860-034-0350 - Forced Conversion of Communication Facilities for Small Telecommunications Utilities and Type 2 Cooperatives

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) As used in this rule:
(a) "Convert," "converting," or "conversion"
			 means the removal of overhead communication facilities and the replacement of
			 those facilities with underground communication facilities at the same or
			 different locations.
(b)
			 "Conversion cost" means the difference in cost between constructing an
			 underground system and retaining the existing overhead system. This difference
			 is equal to the cost of all necessary excavating, road crossings, trenching,
			 backfilling, raceways, ducts, vaults, transformer pads, other devices peculiar
			 to underground service, and "overhead retirement costs." However, if the
			 conversion is required in conjunction with a public project which would
			 necessitate the relocation of the company's facilities at the company's
			 expense, "conversion costs" shall not include any "overhead retirement
			 costs."
(c) "Communication
			 facilities" means any works or improvements used or useful in providing
			 communication service, including but not limited to poles, supports, tunnels,
			 manholes, vaults, conduits, pipes, wires, conductors, guys, stubs, platforms,
			 crossarms, braces, transformers, insulators, cutouts, switches, capacitors,
			 meters, communication circuits, appliances, attachments and appurtenances, and
			 all related facilities required for the acceptance of communication services.
			 However, "Communication facilities" excludes facilities used or intended to be
			 used for the transmission of intelligence by microwave or radio, apparatus
			 cabinets or outdoor public telephones; or facilities owned or used by or
			 provided for a railroad or pipeline and located upon or above the right-of-way
			 of the railroad or pipeline.
(d)
			 "Company," as used in this rule, means a small telecommunications utility or
			 Type 2 cooperative, as defined in OAR 860-034-0010.
(e) "Local government" includes cities;
			 counties; authorities and agencies created pursuant to ORS Chapters 456 and
			 457; special districts of the type described in ORS
			 198.010 and
			 198.180; and all other political
			 subdivisions of Oregon.
(f)
			 "Overhead communication facilities" means communication facilities located
			 above the surface of the ground.
(g) "Overhead retirement cost" means the
			 original cost, less depreciation, less salvage value, plus removal costs, of
			 existing overhead distribution facilities no longer used or useful by reason of
			 the conversion.
(h) "Underground
			 communication facilities" means communication facilities located below the
			 surface of the ground exclusive of those facilities such as service terminals,
			 pedestal terminals, splice closures, apparatus cabinets and similar facilities
			 which normally are above the surface in areas where company facilities are
			 underground in accordance with standard underground practices.