Us West Heads To Court To Appeal Rate Hike Denial

Rebuffed in its efforts to double Washington residential telephone rates, US West this week will take its case to a higher court.

The Colorado-based telecommunications company is scheduled Tuesday to argue before the state Supreme Court that last year’s decision by regulators to deny the rate hike should be reversed.

In that case, the Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected US West plans to boost revenues by increasing residential rates from $10.75 a month to $26 a month. It also ordered the company to cut residential and business long distance charges.

A lower court later stung the company with an additional order that it lower its average residential rates to $10.50 a month.

In other events this week:

Today

Retrial scheduled for four North Idaho men accused of the bombings and bank robberies in the Spokane Valley.

International conference on business in Russia opens in Seattle.

Tuesday

Washington Water Power Co., ONSI Corp. and the U.S. Department of Energy throw the switch on a commercial-size fuel cell at the Doubletree City Center.

Olivetti North America opens a new products and services exposition center at its Liberty Lake headquarters.

The Northwest Power Planning Council begins a two-day meeting in Missoula at the Doubletree Hotel.

House Agriculture subcommittee reviews the effect of China’s most-favored nation status on U.S. agriculture.

Wednesday

Judith Digon, chief executive officer of American Barricade Inc. and 1996 Avon Women of Enterprise award winner, speaks to the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants annual meeting which opens at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park and continues through Friday. Call Susan Oster at 800-297-2721.

Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris speaks about the state Growth Management Act to the Inland Northwest Electrical League at noon at the Shilo Inn. Cost: $10. Call Bonnie Ullman, 536-4177.

APICS meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Doubletree. Cost: $15. Call Debra Benson, 459-5202.

Thursday

Ernst & Young’s Northwest Entrepreneur of the Year awards, which include finalists Telect Inc. and owners Bill, Judi and Wayne Williams, announced in Seattle.

House Committee on Resources debates President Clinton’s American Heritage Rivers Initiative.

Friday

Discussion of Yellowstone Pipeline scheduled for Issues & Answers at 7:30 a.m. in the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $2.

Pea and lentil field tour begins at 8 a.m. at the University of Idaho Kambitsch Research Farm, two miles north of Genesee, Idaho. Call Stephen Guy at 208-885-6744.

Kiwanis convention opens in Nashville.

Sunday

Scientist Norman Borlaug, father of the “green revolution,” speaks to the National Association of Wheat Growers conference in Portland.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Interest rates

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Money, July: Discover why 256 cities ranked ahead of Spokane in the magazine’s annual “Best Places to Live” list. Business Week, June 23: Cover story searches for the hottest new ideas from the nation’s best research labs.

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