Notice of Technical Conferences, 1235-1236 [E8-36]

Download as PDF pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 4 / Monday, January 7, 2008 / Notices offer conclusions regarding the extent workshare discounts in effect in FY 2007 comply with the criteria of either the PRA or the PAEA. Id. at 19–22. The Postal Service identifies some information as confidential and subject to protective conditions. It explains that in the absence of new rules regarding its confidential business information, it has largely followed past practice. Thus, financial data relating to international products is in a nonpublic annex while some financial information on competitive domestic products is presented publicly. The Postal Service recognizes that the appropriate identification of confidential data will be fully explored in a future Commission rulemaking. Id. at 30–33. The FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report is the Postal Service’s first attempt to comply with the tight production schedule that section 3652 imposes. Consequently, its report does not contain all of the information that normally would be provided in a section 3652 report. For example, 39 U.S.C. 3652(g) requires the Postal Service to submit its comprehensive statement together with its annual compliance report. The Postal Service explains that it expects to file its comprehensive statement in early to mid-January, 2008. Id. at 5. Another reason that the FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report does not contain all of the information that may be included in a standard section 3652 report is that it was prepared without the guidance of Commission rules governing the Postal Service’s periodic reporting. The Commission will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking containing its proposed periodic reporting rules in the near future. Most of the analytical methods employed in producing the FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report appear to be consistent with established precedent. However, some are new and have not been subjected to critical evaluation by the Commission or the public either in a formal evidentiary hearing or an informal rulemaking.4 Examples of new methods are in the revisions to the cost model that the Commission used in Docket No. R2006–1 to design rates for Periodicals. In adopting that model, the Commission described it as more comprehensive than the Postal Service’s alternative, but still dependent on a number of assumptions whose accuracy could be improved if they were based on more direct and/or more recent 4 The Postal Service identifies methodology changes in FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report, USPS–FY07–31, Section Two. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Jan 04, 2008 Jkt 214001 observation. See PRC Op. R2006–1, paras. 5730–44. The Postal Service, too, views the Periodicals cost model as a work in progress. It has revised the model ‘‘in order to resolve internal inconsistencies and permit transparent updates of the inputs.’’ Its revisions include: (1) Inclusion of sweeping time in a productivity adjustment, (2) removing costs from bundle sorting for bundles that have already been broken into pieces, (3) including the costs of opening containers in the cost for container handling rather than container flow, and (4) elimination of bundle sortation costs when pallets flow directly to delivery units. FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report, USPS–FY07–11, at 1. It suggests that additional refinements are warranted as well. Id. at 2–5. The methodological changes employed in the FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report should be subjected to independent critical evaluation to the maximum extent possible in the narrow window afforded by sections 3652 and 3653. To achieve that end, the Commission issued a notice on December 27, 2007, scheduling an informal technical conference to be held on January 11, 2008.5 At that conference, Postal Service analysts will describe the changes made to the Commission’s Periodicals cost model, explain the reasons for making them, and answer related questions from the Commission’s technical staff and the interested public. A follow-up technical conference to give interested parties an opportunity to discuss other possible refinements of the Periodicals cost model with Postal Service analysts will be held on January 23, 2008. Notice at 2. Other technical conferences may be scheduled as appear necessary. It is ordered: 1. Public comments on the United States Postal Service FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report are due on or before January 30, 2008. 2. Reply comments on the United States Postal Service FY 2007 Annual Compliance Report are due on February 13, 2008. (Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3653.) Steven W. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–25656 Filed 1–4–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P 5 Notice of Technical Conferences Supplementing Postal Service Annual Compliance Report, December 27, 2007 (Notice). PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1235 POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. ACR2007] Notice of Technical Conferences Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Technical conferences have been scheduled in Docket No. ACR2007. The conferences will discuss the cost model for Periodicals the Postal Service uses in its Cost and Revenue Analysis Report for FY 2007. DATES: January 11, 2008 (2 p.m.); January 23, 2008 (2 p.m.). ADDRESSES: The conference will be held in the Commission’s hearing room at 901 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268–0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann C. Fisher, Chief of Staff, Postal Regulatory Commission, at 202–789– 6803 or ann.fisher@prc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3652 of title 39 of the United States Code requires the Postal Service to file an annual report with the Commission analyzing postal costs, revenues, rates, and service within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year. From that report, the Commission and the public are to determine whether the Postal Service has complied with all of the policies of title 39. See 39 U.S.C. 3653. The Commission shortly will receive from the Postal Service its annual compliance report for FY 2007. Upon its receipt, the Commission will promptly issue a formal notice announcing its receipt, and set a schedule for public comment, as 39 U.S.C. 3653(a) requires. The Postal Service has notified the Commission informally that its Cost and Revenue Analysis Report for FY 2007 will employ a cost model for Periodicals that corrects and refines the model that the Commission used in Docket No. R2006–1 to design rates for Periodicals. Under section 3653, the Commission has 90 days after receipt of the Postal Service’s annual report to evaluate whether postal rates and services in FY 2007 complied with the policies of title 39. This brief evaluation period requires that the Commission set an early date for public comments. To facilitate interested parties to evaluate the anticipated changes to the Periodical cost model quickly enough to incorporate their conclusions in their comments on the Postal Service’s compliance report, the Commission is scheduling an informal technical conference on January 11, 2008, at 2 p.m., in the Commission’s hearing room, 901 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC. At the conference, E:\FR\FM\07JAN1.SGM 07JAN1 1236 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 4 / Monday, January 7, 2008 / Notices Postal Service analysts will describe the model refinements that they have made, the reasons that they made them, and respond to questions from the Commission’s technical staff and the public designed to clarify the nature of, and the reasons for, the Postal Service’s changes to the model. To allow further clarification once interested persons have the benefit of the Postal Service’s explanations, a second conference is scheduled for January 23, 2008 at 2 p.m. in the Commission’s hearing room. At this second conference, interested persons may seek additional information from Postal Service analysts, and explore the reasons for the methodologies and data employed by the Postal Service. At this conference, interested persons may also, if they wish, offer potential additional improvements or alternatives for discussion prior to submitting written comments on the Postal Service’s filing. Steven W. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–36 Filed 1–4–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Extension: Rule 19b–7 and Form 19b–7; OMB Control No. 3235–0553; SEC File No. 270–495. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. • Rule 19b–7 (17 CFR 240.19b–7) and Form 19b–7—Filings with respect to proposed rule changes submitted pursuant to section 19(b)(7) of the Act. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (‘‘Exchange Act’’) provides a framework for self-regulation under which various entities involved in the securities business, including national securities exchanges and national securities associations (collectively, self-regulatory organizations or ‘‘SROs’’), have primary VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Jan 04, 2008 Jkt 214001 responsibility for regulating their members or participants. The role of the Commission in this framework is primarily one of oversight: the Exchange Act charges the Commission with supervising the SROs and assuring that each complies with and advances the policies of the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act was amended by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (‘‘CFMA’’). Prior to the CFMA, federal law did not allow the trading of futures on individual stocks or on narrow-based stock indexes (collectively, ‘‘security futures products’’). The CFMA removed this restriction and provides that trading in security futures products would be regulated jointly by the Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (‘‘CFTC’’). The Exchange Act requires all SROs to submit to the SEC any proposals to amend, add, or delete any of their rules. Certain entities (Security Futures Product Exchanges) would be national securities exchanges only because they trade security futures products. Similarly, certain entities (Limited Purpose National Securities Associations) would be national securities associations only because their members trade security futures products. The Exchange Act, as amended by the CFMA, established a procedure for Security Futures Product Exchanges and Limited Purpose National Securities Associations to provide notice of proposed rule changes relating to certain matters.1 Rule 19b–7 and Form 19b–7 implemented this procedure. The collection of information is designed to provide the Commission with the information necessary to determine, as required by the Act, whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules thereunder. The information is used to determine if the proposed rule change should remain in affect or abrogated. The respondents to the collection of information are SROs. Five respondents file an average total of 12, which corresponds to an estimated annual response burden of 207 hours. At an average cost per response of $4,607.25, the resultant total related cost of compliance for these respondents is $55,287 per year (12 1 These matters are higher margin levels, fraud or manipulation, recordkeeping, reporting, listing standards, or decimal pricing for security futures products; sales practices for security futures products for persons who effect transactions in security futures products; or rules effectuating the obligation of Security Futures Product Exchanges and Limited Purpose National Securities Associations to enforce the securities laws. See 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(7)(A). PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 responses × $4,607.25/response = $55,287). Compliance with Rule 19b–7 is mandatory. Information received in response to Rule 19b–7 shall not be kept confidential; the information collected is public information. Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission’s estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. Comments should be directed to: R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or send an e-mail to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted within 60 days of this notice. Dated: December 27, 2007. Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–2 Filed 1–4–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Rule 10f–3; SEC File No. 270–237; OMB Control No. 3235–0226. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the collections of information discussed below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) for extension and approval. E:\FR\FM\07JAN1.SGM 07JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 4 (Monday, January 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1235-1236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-36]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. ACR2007]


Notice of Technical Conferences

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Technical conferences have been scheduled in Docket No. 
ACR2007. The conferences will discuss the cost model for Periodicals 
the Postal Service uses in its Cost and Revenue Analysis Report for FY 
2007.

DATES: January 11, 2008 (2 p.m.); January 23, 2008 (2 p.m.).

ADDRESSES: The conference will be held in the Commission's hearing room 
at 901 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann C. Fisher, Chief of Staff, Postal 
Regulatory Commission, at 202-789-6803 or ann.fisher@prc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3652 of title 39 of the United 
States Code requires the Postal Service to file an annual report with 
the Commission analyzing postal costs, revenues, rates, and service 
within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year. From that report, the 
Commission and the public are to determine whether the Postal Service 
has complied with all of the policies of title 39. See 39 U.S.C. 3653. 
The Commission shortly will receive from the Postal Service its annual 
compliance report for FY 2007. Upon its receipt, the Commission will 
promptly issue a formal notice announcing its receipt, and set a 
schedule for public comment, as 39 U.S.C. 3653(a) requires.
    The Postal Service has notified the Commission informally that its 
Cost and Revenue Analysis Report for FY 2007 will employ a cost model 
for Periodicals that corrects and refines the model that the Commission 
used in Docket No. R2006-1 to design rates for Periodicals.
    Under section 3653, the Commission has 90 days after receipt of the 
Postal Service's annual report to evaluate whether postal rates and 
services in FY 2007 complied with the policies of title 39. This brief 
evaluation period requires that the Commission set an early date for 
public comments. To facilitate interested parties to evaluate the 
anticipated changes to the Periodical cost model quickly enough to 
incorporate their conclusions in their comments on the Postal Service's 
compliance report, the Commission is scheduling an informal technical 
conference on January 11, 2008, at 2 p.m., in the Commission's hearing 
room, 901 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC. At the 
conference,

[[Page 1236]]

Postal Service analysts will describe the model refinements that they 
have made, the reasons that they made them, and respond to questions 
from the Commission's technical staff and the public designed to 
clarify the nature of, and the reasons for, the Postal Service's 
changes to the model.
    To allow further clarification once interested persons have the 
benefit of the Postal Service's explanations, a second conference is 
scheduled for January 23, 2008 at 2 p.m. in the Commission's hearing 
room. At this second conference, interested persons may seek additional 
information from Postal Service analysts, and explore the reasons for 
the methodologies and data employed by the Postal Service. At this 
conference, interested persons may also, if they wish, offer potential 
additional improvements or alternatives for discussion prior to 
submitting written comments on the Postal Service's filing.

Steven W. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-36 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
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