Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co. v. Federal Communications Commission

WALD, Circuit Judge:

Petitioner Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company (“Southern Bell”) challenges an order of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) prescribing depreciation rates. In 1983, the Commission set Southern Bell’s depreciation rates in accordance with the “remaining life” method first adopted in a 1980 rulemaking. Southern Bell had requested higher depreciation rates based on a method which would more rapidly write down depreciation reserve deficiencies accumulated during previous years. We hold that the FCC’s decision to adhere to the remaining life…