FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2006

CONTACT: Ken Toole  406-439-4793

***RADIO ACTUALITY AVAILABLE***

Toole Files Consumer Complaint Against Qwest

(Helena)  Ken Toole, state senator and candidate for the Public Service Commission, filed a consumer complaint against Qwest alleging that Qwest is earning far more than allowed by law. “Qwest figures show that it has consistently earned almost double what the Public Service Commission has authorized,” Toole said. “That is money right out of the pockets of consumers across the state.” 

Toole pointed out that Qwest’s own figures show that it has earned $85 million more than allowed by the PSC over the last five years. “That’s $85 million dollars that should have remained in customers pockets,” Toole said.  “Qwest should be held accountable and get its rates back in control.”

Toole is joined by 30 individual Qwest customers from across the state.  “I put out an e-mail saying that I was fed up.”  Toole added, “A lot of people responded, so we made arrangements to get them on the complaint.”  Toole concluded, “These big utility companies seem to think they aren’t accountable to anyone.”

Toole said that this problem has existed for a number of years, pointing out that the Public Service Commission has tried to get Qwest to justify its rates without success.  There is a case pending before the Montana Supreme Court regarding PSC jurisdiction to force Qwest to come in for a rate case.

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Audio

TooleCorporations.mp3 Ken Toole

8.5 seconds

OUTCUE: “. . .consumers across the state.”

Qwest’s own figures show that it has consistently earned almost double what the Public Service Commission has authorized, and that’s money right out of the pockets of consumers across the state.

TooleQwest.mp3 Ken Toole

7.5 seconds

OUTCUE: “. . . have remained in Montana.”  

Quest should be held accountable and get it’s rates back in control. They’ve over-earned 85 million dollars that should have remained in Montana.

TooleAccountable.mp3  Ken Toole

3.5 seconds