Ariz. Commission Staff Suggests Frontier Rate Case Schedule

A Frontier Communications rate case in Arizona can move forward, Arizona Corporation Commission staff said. Frontier’s application and schedules were filed Aug. 30, covered Arizona's White Mountains region and met the commission’s sufficiency requirements, Utilities Division Telecom and Energy Chief Barbara Keene wrote to the company Monday. Separately, staff asked an administrative law judge to set a procedural schedule that would extend into next fall. Under that schedule, staff and intervenor direct testimony on competitive classification and nonessential service determinations would be due May 3; their testimony on service cost, rate design and state USF issues would be due May 31. Frontier’s rebuttal would be due July 26, staff and intevenors’ rebuttal Aug. 23 and Frontier’s rejoinder Sept. 6. Staff suggested a prehearing conference Sept. 11 and a hearing Sept. 23. “Staff believes that the proposed schedule is reasonable in light of the potential number of issues presented in this case,” it said. ALJ Julia Matter in a Tuesday order scheduled a teleconference for Jan. 2 at 10 a.m MST to discuss procedure and next steps (docket T-03214A-23-0250). Frontier is the only company receiving Arizona USF high-cost support. The commission earlier decided to delay possible sweeping USF changes due to the upcoming Frontier rate case (see 2303160069). Commissioners declined to raise USF contribution rates earlier this month (see 2312050032).