October 26, 1999


NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROCEEDINGS
     (October 28-29, 1999)   

NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE
(November 3, 1999)


RE: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission v. GTE Northwest 
Incorporated, Docket UT-990672

TO ALL PARTIES OF RECORD:

On October 22, 1999, Commission Staff communicated that the parties have 
reached a settlement in WUTC  v. GTE Northwest Incorporated, Docket No. 
UT-990672.  Under the terms of a general settlement agreement between the 
Commission Staff and GTE, the parties will file a joint motion for dismissal of 
this proceeding.  Staff requests cancellation of the October 28-29, 1999, 
hearing dates, and continuance of the remainder of the procedural schedule 
pending the Commission’s consideration of the proposed settlement.

Since the need for hearings and the remainder of the procedural schedule 
remains uncertain pending the Commission’s review of the settlement, it is 
appropriate to cancel the hearings set for October 28-29, 1999, and continue 
the proceedings consistent with the schedule established for the proposed 
settlement agreement in Docket No. UT-981367.

Notice is given that the evidentiary hearings scheduled for October 28-29, 
1999, are canceled and the proceedings are continued consistent with the 
schedule established for the proposed settlement agreement in Docket No. 
UT-981367.

Notice is also given that the Commission will conduct a status conference in 
Docket No. UT-981367, pertinent to Docket No. UT-990672, beginning at 9:30 
a.m., Wednesday, November 3, 1999, at the Commission’s offices, 1300 S. 
Evergreen Park Drive SW, Olympia, Washington.

The purpose of the November 3, 1999 status conference is to discuss the process 
by which the Commission will consider the proposed settlement agreement in 
Docket No. UT-981367.  The Commission has established November 22 and 23, 1999, 
as tentative hearing dates to receive evidence pertinent to the proposed 
settlement agreement, and the dockets affected by the agreement, including 
Docket No. UT-990672. 

Sincerely,


KAREN M. CAILLÉ
Administrative Law Judge