********************************************************    
                         NOTICE
********************************************************

This document was converted from
WordPerfect to ASCII Text format.

Content from the original version of the document such as
headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers
will not show up in this text version.

All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the
original document will not show up in this text version.

Features of the original document layout such as
columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins
will not be preserved in the text version.

If you need the complete document, download the
WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available.

*****************************************************************
                            Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554

    In the Matter of               )
                                )
   Amendment of Rules and          )CS Docket No. 97-98
 Policies Governing Pole         )
  Attachments                     )


                             ORDER

    Adopted:  July 24, 1997Released:  July 25, 1997

By the Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau:

      1.On March 14, 1997, the Commission commenced a rulemaking proceeding to propose
modifications to the Commission's rules relating to the maximum just and reasonable rates utilities may
charge for attachments to a pole, duct, conduit or rights-of-way.  These attachments are commonly referred
to as "pole attachments."   Comments were due June 27, 1997, and reply comments are due July 28, 1997.

      2.On July 21, 1997, Carolina Power & Light Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company,
Atlantic City Electric Company, Entergy Services, Florida Power Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric
Power Company, Potomac Electric Power Company, Public Service Company of Colorado, Southern
Company, Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric, Tampa
Electric Company and Virginia Power, including North Carolina Power (collectively, "Electric Utilities")
filed a Motion for Extension of Time ("Motion") to file reply comments. The Utilities request that the
Commission grant an extension of time in which to file reply comments in this proceeding consisting of two
weeks, up to and including August 11, 1997.  

      3.The Electric Utilities request an extension of time in light of the decision of the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Iowa Utilities Board v. F.C.C., No. 96-3321, et al., where the Court ruled
on interconnection service issues.  They contend that issues raised in the instant proceeding parallel issues
decided in Iowa Utility Board and they argue that an extension of time will be productive in assessing that
decision's impact on the instant rulemaking.  They note that a 45-day extension was granted to file initial
comments and that the comments involve highly technical issues, involving substantial engineering and
accounting detail.  

       4.In support of the Electric Utilities' Motion, UTC and the Edison Electric Institute 
("Supporting Commenters") have filed comments.  The Supporting Commenters agree with the arguments
articulated by the Electric Utilities in their Motion.  In addition, the Supporting Commenters agree that the
Commission should grant a two week extension of time up to and including August 11, 1997, for filing reply
comments.

      5.It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted. 
However,  in view of the complexity of the issues presented, and in order to facilitate the development of
a complete record in this proceeding, we find that good cause exists to grant an extension of time.  

      6.Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 0.321 and 1.46 of the Commission's
rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.321 and 1.46, that the Motion for Extension of Time filed by Carolina Power & Light
Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company, Atlantic City Electric Company, Entergy Services, Florida
Power Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Power Company, Potomac Electric Power Company, Public
Service Company of Colorado, Southern Company, Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power,
Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric, Tampa Electric Company and Virginia Power, including North
Carolina Power is GRANTED. 

      7.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all interested parties may file reply comments on the
matters discussed in the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Amendment of Rules and Policies
Governing Pole Attachments, CS Docket No. 97-98, by August 11, 1997.

     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


          
     William H. Johnson
          Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau