PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: In this rule making the utilities and transportation commission will consider modifications to, or elimination of, the requirement that local exchange companies provide each customer a copy of a telephone directory for the customer's exchange area, as described in WAC 480-120-251. The rule making has been assigned Docket UT-120451.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Due to changes in technology, the number of people who rely on printed directories of telephone numbers has decreased significantly and continues to decline. Telephone numbers are readily available on the internet, which an increasing number of consumers access in place of printed directories. Communities are also concerned with the environmental impact of printed directories, and local governments are beginning to encourage their citizens to forgo these directories as a means of reducing waste and the expense created by directory disposal. This rule making seeks to accommodate these concerns and customer usage patterns to more carefully tailor regulatory requirements to consumer and community needs.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, and will provide the opportunity to provide additional written comments on draft rules and proposed CR-102 rules prior to adoption.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may file comments with the Executive Director and Secretary, Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, by 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 21, 2012.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than Monday, May 21, 2012.
Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted via the commission's web portal at www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing or by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@utc.wa.gov. Please include:
| • | The docket number of this proceeding (UT-120451). |
| • | The commenting party's name. |
| • | The title and date of the comment or comments. |
Opportunity for further comment is anticipated.
Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule
making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's
web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive
further information on this rule making you may (1) call the
commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the
commission at <records@utc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written
comments to the address above to the attention of David W.
Danner, executive director and secretary. When contacting the
commission, please refer to Docket UT-120451 to ensure that
you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may
be addressed to John Cupp, at (360) 664-1113 or e-mail at
jcupp@utc.wa.gov.
April 18, 2012
David W. Danner
Executive Director
and Secretary