Us West Wins Delay In Filing Lower Rates

US West has until next week before it presents state regulators with a plan on how it will implement new rate cuts, a King County judge has ruled.

State utility regulators had ordered the phone company to present its implementation plans by Friday. But attorneys for US West argued Thursday that the company didn’t have enough time to comply because the state had ordered so many rate changes.

The rates include a flat statewide residential rate of $10.50 per month, lower business rates, and decreased in-state long-distance rates. Those rates were to go into effect May 1.

Superior Court Judge Robert Lasnik agreed with US West and said the company could file the new rates on Wednesday.

Regulators with the state Utilities and Transportation Commission last week rejected a major rate increase requested by US West and instead ordered the company to lower rates. US West is appealing the ruling.