Court Opinion

ID: 9709096
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 03:40:06.695473+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:46.089434
License: Public Domain

HOFFMAN, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. The majority herein conclude that a finding that other radio common carriers were not willing and able to adequately serve customers was not required to be made by the Public Service Commission. They concede that inadequacy of present services had consistently been used as a factor by the Commission in its past decisions to issue additional certificates but hold that such a finding is no longer necessary. I believe such a finding is necessary.
Indiana Code § 8-1-2-88 provides that no telephone company shall render telephone service in an area where another company has been awarded a certificate of territorial authority,
"except pursuant to a certificate granted by the commission, after notice of hearing and hearing, that public convenience and necessity require that telephone service in any such area be rendered or offered by another company."
*36All public utilities are required by Indiana Code § 8-1-2-4 to furnish "reasonably adequate services and facilities." Whether or not an existing telephone company is providing reasonably adequate service is a factor which should be considered before a determination may be made that "public convenience and necessity" demands additional services.
The Commission failed to make a finding that services were not being adequately provided before awarding the additional certificate herein. The Commission is required to make specific findings of ultimate fact upon which its decision is based. IND. CODE § 8-1-1-5; Stewart Trucking, Inc. v. Bunn Trucking, Inc. (1972), 151 Ind.App. 157, 278 N.E.2d 310. The failure of the Commission to find specific facts upon which its order is based renders the order illegal and unlawful. Stewart Trucking, Inc. v. Bunn Trucking, Inc., supra. The majority, relying upon Indiana Bell Tel. Co. v. T.A.S.I., Inc. (1982), Ind.App., 433 N.E.2d 1195, believe that such a finding may be established by implication upon consideration of the evidence. However, lack of an express finding may not be supplied by implication. Indpls. & So. Motor Exp., Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm. (1953), 232 Ind. 377, 112 N.E.2d 864.
This State has the right to control and regulate the provision of services by public utilities and does so through the Public Service Commission. Daviess-Martin Co. etc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm. (1961), 132 Ind.App. 610, 174 N.E.2d 63. The Commission's power to regulate public utilities exists for the benefit and protection of both the public and the utility, to promote the efficient provision of services. State, ex rel. v. Lewis (1918), 187 Ind. 564, 120 N.E. 129. By the very nature of things, there must be some limit to the number of telephone companies that can serve the public. State, ex rel. v. Stickelman (1914), 182 Ind. 102, 105 N.E. 777.
The Commission is an administrative board, created by the legislature and derives its power from statute. Gen. Tel. Co., etc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm. of Ind. et al. (1958), 238 Ind. 646, 150 N.E.2d 891. The statute herein requires a finding of public convenience and necessity before the Commission may issue an additional certificate of territorial authority. Without a finding of an inadequacy of service, necessity cannot be established. The Commission herein is not "regulating" as it is empowered to do, but instead is deregulating, contrary to its enabling statute.
The decision of the trial court should be reversed.