Section 761.330  Consolidation and Severance

a)         Where not inconsistent with the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, the Commission or Hearing Examiner may, to the extent practical, order the consolidation of two or more proceedings under Section 252(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 in order to reduce administrative burdens on telecommunications carriers and the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities under Section 252 of the Communications Act of 1934.

b)         Where not inconsistent with the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, the Commission or Hearing Examiner may, to the extent practical, order the severance of two or more proceedings previously consolidated under subsection (a) of this Section in order to reduce administrative burdens on telecommunications carriers and the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities under Section 252 of the Communications Act of 1934 or order the severance of issues from a proceeding in those instances where the issues need not be decided within the time limit set in the Communications Act of 1934 for the Commission's decision on the arbitration.