The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has set a hearing in Everett for public comments on Verizon Communications’ request to raise residential and business phone rates $3.54 a month.
The hearing will be 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 in the Snohomish County PUD auditorium, 2320 California St., in Everett.
Verizon initially filed for the “interim” rate increase three months ago. Earlier this month, the company filed another request that would raise the monthly cost of residential phone service by nearly $10.
Hearings on the larger rate increase proposal likely will be held next year, so comments at next month’s meeting should be limited to the interim request.
Written comments on the interim rate proposal also will be accepted via e-mail to comments@wutc.wa.gov or by mail to WUTC, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504.
Comments should arrive by Aug. 20. Writers should include the rate request’s docket number, 040788, to make sure they are properly considered, a commission spokesman said.
The state Attorney General’s Office, a business advocacy group and AARP are formally opposing the interim rate increase. For its part, Verizon says it needs to adjust residential and business rates because the company has lost money on its basic telephone service.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
