2. Background

D.05-11-029 granted the joint application of Verizon Communications, Inc. (Verizon) and MCI, Inc. (MCI) to transfer control of MCI's California utilities to Verizon. Greenlining, LIF, Disability Rights Advocates, and TURN requested compensation awards of $116,623.46, $82,343.62, $59,567.39, and $339,540.99, respectively, for their substantial contributions to that decision. Commission approval of the transfer was made subject to three conditions: 1) adoption by Verizon of a settlement agreement negotiated with Greenlining and LIF to participate in a statewide Broadband Task Force; 2) an increase in corporate philanthropy over the next five years by an additional $20 million, and a commitment to make a good faith effort to increase diversity of suppliers from 15% to 20% by 2010; and 3) a commitment to contribute $3 million per year to a non-profit corporation that would encourage broadband services in underserved communities. While evidentiary hearings were deemed unnecessary in this proceeding, each of the intervenors actively participated by conducting discovery, sponsoring expert testimony, and filing briefs and comments on the proposed and alternate decisions.

Verizon filed responses opposing the full award amount requested by each intervenor. The intervenors, except LIF, filed separate replies.