BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Petition of )  DOCKET UT-971734
U S WEST Communications, Inc., )  
for a Waiver of    )
Washington    )  ORDER GRANTING  
Administrative Code   )  WAIVER OF RULES
..........................................................)



  On December 10, 1997, U S WEST Communications, Inc., (U S WEST), filed a 
petition for a waiver with respect to the scope of reporting requirements set 
forth in the rule WAC 480-140-160.  This waiver request concerns the provision 
of reporting of salaries to the Commission and proposes an allowance to report 
by number of employees in each company pay grade over one hundred thousand 
annual compensation.

  U S WEST requests a waiver of the salary reporting requirements set forth in 
WAC 480-140-160, that requires “total annual compensation for employment and 
amount of annual compensation assigned to Washington of all company officials, 
directors, owners, or principal stockholders, officers or executives, and all 
employees who receive over seventy five thousand dollars.” 
 
  The petition states that consolidation of U S WEST’s three telephone 
operating companies into U S WEST Communications, Inc., in 1991 has greatly 
increased the amount of information required to be filed pursuant to this 
rule.  U S WEST understands the Commission will undertake a general review of 
its rules in early 1999.  U S WEST has proposed to offer an amendment to WAC 
480-140-160 at that time.

  U S WEST proposes to report to the Commission, in place of the existing rule 
language, on an “annual basis the name, location, title or position, total 
annual compensation and the amount assigned to Washington of all company 
officials, owners or principal stockholders who receive over one hundred 
thousand dollars.  The company will report as part of their budget of salaries, 
the maximum salary and number of employees in each pay grade as of the end of 
each calendar year.  The budget shall state the account or accounts to which 
charges are to be made.  If employment is to be part time, the number of hours 
to be devoted to the reporting company shall be stated.  If the total 
compensation shall include house rental, utility service, board and room, 
bonuses or other compensation, direct or indirect, such fact shall be reported 
separately on the budget form under remarks and giving the amount of each 
item.  Budget of salaries shall give complete information as to all salary 
changes by employee category.”





     FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. U S WEST is a telecommunications company regulated by the Washington 
Utilities and Transportation Commission.

  2. WAC 480-140-160 was adopted in accordance with the requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, and is scheduled for review under the Governor’s 
Rule Review in early 1999.

  3.  There is cause for the granting of the waiver for a limited period of 
time through January 1, 2000 or until the rule review scheduled in 1999 of WAC 
480-140-160 is complete and final language adopted.

  4.   Commission rules the request by U S WEST Communications Inc., is 
reasonable and should therefore be granted.


O R D E R

  IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

  1. After the effective date of this order and subject to the conditions 
hereof, the petition of U S WEST Communications Inc., filed with the Commission 
requesting waiver of the sections of the Commission rule WAC 480-140-160 is 
hereby granted. 

  2. This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, or accounts, evaluations, estimates or determination of costs 
or any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of cost, or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.


  Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 31st day of December 1997.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
    




       PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary