Sec. 651.2. Scope of the regulations in this Part

(a) The regulations in this Part, effective November 1, 1993, apply to all accounts, records, memoranda documents, papers, and correspondence prepared by or on behalf of the telephone company as well as those which come into its possession in connection with the acquisition of property, such as by purchase, consolidation, merger, etc.

(b) The regulations in this Part shall not be construed as excusing compliance with any other lawful requirement for the preservation of records for periods longer than those prescribed in this Part.

(c) Unless otherwise specified in section 651.11 of this Part, duplicate copies of records may be destroyed at any time; provided, however, that such duplicate copies contain no significant information not shown on the originals and that precautions have been taken to assure the continued retention of the originals (or one true copy) for the full period required under the regulations in this Part.

(d) Records other than those listed in section 651.11 of this Part may be destroyed at the option of the company; provided, however, that records which are used in lieu of those listed shall be preserved for the periods prescribed for records used for substantially similar purposes. And provided further, that retention of records pertaining to added services, functions, plant, etc., the establishment of which cannot be presently foreseen, shall conform with the principles promulgated in section 651.11 of this Part.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of the schedule of records and periods of retention, the commission may, upon the request of the company, authorize a shorter period of retention for any record listed therein upon a showing by the company that preservation of such record for a longer period is not necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors or consumers.