COM/CJS/acr Date of Issuance 4/27/2012

Decision 12-04-016 April 19, 2012

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Petition of SureWest Telephone (U1015C) to Adopt, Amend, or Repeal A Regulation Pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 1708.5 Governing the Requirement for Commission Approval to Encumber Assets to Secure Debt.

Petition 11-11-012 (Filed November 14, 2011)

DECISION DENYING PETITION OF SUREWEST TELEPHONE FOR A RULEMAKING REGARDING AMENDMENT OF
PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE SECTION 851 REGARDING
ENCUMBRANCE OF ASSETS TO SECURE DEBT

1. Summary

This decision denies the petition of SureWest Telephone that asks the Commission to initiate a rulemaking to address exemption of incumbent local exchange carriers subject to the Uniform Regulatory Framework from the requirement that they obtain prior Commission approval pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 851 to encumber public utility assets for the purpose of securing debt. Petition 11-11-012 is closed.