III. Scoping Memo

A. Issues and Comments by Parties

This rulemaking provides the scope of issues to be addressed in this proceeding. We solicit an initial round of opening and reply comments from a broad group consistent with the requirements of SB 1563 and to ensure a thorough examination of the issues. Parties should file their opening comments within 60 days of the mailing date of this rulemaking. Those comments will also be the parties' opportunity, under Rule 6(c)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, to respond to the preliminary categorization, need for hearing, and the issues raised in this preliminary scoping memo. Reply comments shall be filed and served within 20 days of the date for opening comments.

After reviewing the comments, the assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or Commissioner will inform the parties of additional procedural steps. At this time, the Commission does not anticipate a need for evidentiary hearings. However, any party who believes evidentiary hearings are required shall make a request in their opening comments and identify the specific topics they believe require hearings and the nature of evidence they would present. While this does not ensure hearings will be held, a failure to make a timely request for hearings will be deemed a waiver of the right to make such a request.

B. Service to Identified Groups and Official Service List

SB 1563 directs the Commission to encourage participation that includes "a broad cross section of the communications industries...(telecommunications) users and community representatives...community-based organizations, including...nonprofit community technology programs and libraries that have demonstrated success in assisting low-income residents in bridging the digital divide." To satisfy this objective, we serve this order on CBOs and libraries that have participated in the California Teleconnect Fund programs and others for whom we have information. We also serve all cities and counties in the state.

Parties may be included on the official service list of this proceeding by sending a letter to the Commission's Process Office, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California 94102 or sending an e-mail to the assigned ALJ within 15 days of the mailing date of this OIR. Each request should include the party's name, the name of its representative (if any), address, and telephone and facsimile numbers, an e-mail address or a statement that they have no e-mail address. The Commission will create a service list and post it on the Commission's Web Site at www.cpuc.ca.gov.

Those persons who do not want to be parties, and only want notice of the hearings, rulings, proposed decisions, and decisions should request inclusion on the "information only" portion of the service list. Parties do not need to serve the "information only" service list with pleadings.

Those persons employed by the State of California who are interested in this proceeding may request that they be added to the "state service" section of the service list. Parties are obligated to serve all documents they may submit or file in this proceeding on all names appearing on the state service list.

Any party interested in participating in this rulemaking who is unfamiliar with the Commission's procedures should contact the Commission's Public Advisor Office in Los Angeles at (213) 576-7055, e-mail at public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov or in San Francisco (415) 703-2074, e-mail at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov for assistance.