One day after its executives were grilled by regulators in an unusual three-state joint conference, FairPoint Communications was given a one-week extension to respond to questions about its ability to continue operating in the state of Vermont.
Originally, FairPoint had until September 10 to formally respond to a show cause petition filed by the Department of Public Service. On Wednesday, September 9, the company filed for and received an extension, pushing back the deadline to later this week. At stake is the company's Certificate of Public Good, its license to conduct business as a regulated utility in the state.
FairPoint made its request for an extension in a single-paragraph letter to the Department of Public Service from counsel Nancy Malmquist. FairPoint said that preparations for the joint conference, coupled with its probe into allegations by an anonymous e-mailer that the company faked its readiness to take over the network, had delayed the company's ability to respond to the Vermont petition. According to the department, such extension requests are usually granted.
At its joint conference with regulators from Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire, FairPoint said that it would be at least two more months before it has a clear plan to resolve its continued problems with customer service and billing.
A response is now due from FairPoint by the close of business hours on Thursday, September 17. A status conference in the case is scheduled for September 30.