MEDIA ADVISORY: Public invited to comment on CenturyLink classification request and new settlement proposal at third hearing

LACEY, Wash. - The Utilities and Transportation Commission is holding a third public comment hearing on June 5 to discuss the competitive classification petition, which includes a second settlement proposal filed by CenturyLink companies and other parties.

WHO 

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission 

WHAT 

Virtual public comment hearing 

WHEN and WHERE 

6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5

Join by Zoom (recommended) or by phone at 253-215-8782 with Meeting ID 897 8080 5526# and Passcode 449931#.

You can also submit public comments:

• online,

• by phone at 888-333-9882,

• by email to comments@utc.wa.gov, and

• by mail to P.O Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250

Translation and interpretation services are available at no cost to you. If possible, please inform the commission at least 5-7 business days before the meeting by calling 360-664-1149, or by emailing stacey.brewster@utc.wa.gov.

For accommodation requests, please contact the UTC at least 5-7 business days before the meeting by calling 888-333-9882 or emailing comments@utc.wa.gov. 

BACKGROUND 

In January 2024, the CenturyLink companies, including Qwest Corporation and several CenturyTel entities, filed a petition with the commission requesting a competitive classification. This led to multiple hearings and settlement discussions.

The commission held two public comment hearings on May 16, 2024, and June 6, 2024, to gather feedback on a proposed settlement with CenturyLink.

After rejecting the first settlement, the commission is now reviewing a second agreement. The outcome of this review may affect the company's regulation and oversight of its rates and services. The proposed second settlement includes an updated Alternative Form of Regulation (AFOR) plan. The public is also invited to provide comments on this proposal.

CenturyLink, part of Lumen Technologies, is the largest local telephone company in Washington, serving approximately 650,000 residential and business lines.

The UTC regulates the rates and services of investor-owned electric utilities, telecommunications companies, natural gas and water companies, solid waste collection companies, household-goods movers and passenger transportation companies, commercial ferries, pipeline companies, marine pilotage, and a low-level radioactive waste repository. The commission does not regulate the rates of broadband services, cellular, cable, or Internet service.

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