BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
In the Matter of the Application                   )
for Sale and Transfer of Assets,                   )         DOCKET UT-991582
from                                                     )
                                                       )
U S WEST Communications, Inc.          )
                                                       )         Order 
Approving Stipulation 
to                                                       )         and Granting 
Application 
                                                       )         
Citizens Telecommunications Company          )         
of Idaho                                               )          
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   )
                  On October 18, 1999, Citizens Telecommunications Company of 
Idaho (CTC-Idaho) and U S WEST Communications, Inc., (U S WEST) filed with the 
Commis sion a joint application for an order authorizing the transfer of 
property related to the Clarkston, Washington exchange. CTC-Idaho seeks an 
order approving the transfer to CTC-Idaho of the telecommunications assets used 
to provide local exchange service in the Clarkston exchange. U S WEST seeks an 
order from the Commission approving the transfer of the exchange and associated 
facilities from U S WEST to CTC-Idaho.
                  CTC B Idaho was registered as a telecommunications company in 
the State of Washington in Docket UT-991581. CTC-Idaho's application asserts 
that it is technically and financially qualified to operate the Clarkston 
exchange, and was supported with exhibits demonstrating its financial condition 
and its ability to operate that exchange. 
                  On June 27, 2000, U S WEST, CTC-Idaho and the Commission 
Staff entered a Stipulation in which they agree on all issues raised by this 
joint application. The Stipulation is attached to this order and is 
incorporated herein by this reference. Pursuant to the Stipulation, CTC-Idaho 
agrees to adopt applicable U S WEST intrastate rates which are in effect on the 
closing date for the Clarkston exchange. A rate cap will be in effect for the 
Clarkston exchange for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the 
sale. CTC-Idaho also will negotiate interconnection agreements with all 
telecommunications service providers that currently have interconnection 
agreements with U S WEST and currently provide services in the Clarkston 
exchange. CTC-Idaho expects to reach agreement with all such providers before 
closing. 
                 
 
FINDINGS 
        THE COMMISSION FINDS: 
        1.          The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is 
an agency of the state of Washington vested by statute with authority to 
regulate rates, services, facilities, practices, rules, accounts, and transfers 
of public service companies, including telecommunications companies.
        2.          U S WEST Communications, Inc. and Citizens 
Telecommunications Company of Idaho, are public service companies subject to 
the jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of Chapter 80.12 RCW.
        3.          As to form, the application herein meets the requirements 
of Chapter 80.12 RCW and the rules and regulations of the Commission adopted 
pursuant thereto. 
        4.          The Stipulation resolves the issues pending in this 
proceeding including the ultimate issue of whether the proposed transfer is 
"inconsistent with the public interest" under WAC 480-143-170.
        5.          Subject to the terms of the Stipulation, the proposed 
transfer is not inconsistent with the public interest.
        6.          The Commission does not object to the FCC granting study 
area waiver nor to any configuration of study area boundaries involving the 
Clarkston exchange.
        
O R D E R 
        THE COMMISSION ORDERS: 
        1.          The Stipulation is approved and adopted as part of this 
Order as if set forth fully in the body of this Order; and
        2.          The joint application of Citizen Telecommunications Company 
of Idaho and U S WEST Communications, Inc., for approval of the sale and 
transfer of the exchange property is approved, subject to the terms of the 
Stipulation. 

         3. The Commission retains jurisdiction to effectuate the provisions of 
this Order, including the terms and conditions of the Stipulation.
        
        
                  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this day of June, 
2000. 
                  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
                                                     
                                                     MARILYN SHOWALTER, 
Chairwoman 
                                                     RICHARD HEMSTAD, 
Commissioner 
                                                      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, 
Commissioner