Postal Product Price Changes, 69367-69368 [E9-31034]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 250 / Thursday, December 31, 2009 / Notices collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office shown in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or at https://www.RegInfo.gov. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the ADDRESSES section on or before March 1, 2010. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to G. Christopher Cosby, Office of Policy and Research, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N–5647, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693–8410; Fax: (202) 219–4745. These are not toll-free numbers. Comments may also be submitted electronically to the following Internet e-mail address: ebsa.opr@dol.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background PTE 75–1 provides exemptions from certain prohibited transaction provisions of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code) for specified types of transactions between employee benefit plans and broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks relating to securities purchases and sales, provided specified conditions are met. The exempted transactions include an employee benefit plan’s purchase of securities from broker-dealers’ inventories of stocks, from underwriting syndicates in which a plan fiduciary is a member, from banks, from reporting dealers, and from a market-maker even if a marketmaker is a plan fiduciary. The exempted transactions also include, under certain conditions, a plan’s accepting an extension of credit from a broker-dealer for the purpose of facilitating settlement of a securities transaction. Among other conditions, PTE 75–1 requires that a party seeking to rely on the exemption with respect to a transaction maintain adequate records of the transaction for a period of six years. The Department has obtained approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for this information collection under OMB Control No. 1210–0092. This approval is currently scheduled to expire on April 30, 2010. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES II. Current Actions This notice requests public comment pertaining to the Department’s request for extension of OMB approval of the information collection contained in PTE 75–1. After considering comments received in response to this notice, the Department intends to submit an ICR to OMB for continuing approval of the VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:06 Dec 30, 2009 Jkt 220001 information collection contained in PTE 75–1. No change to the existing ICR is proposed or made at this time. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. A summary of the ICR and the current burden estimates follows: Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. Title: Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 75–1; Employee Benefit Plan Security Transactions with BrokerDealers, Reporting Dealers and Banks. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection of information. OMB Number: 1210–0092. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit; Not-for-profit institutions. Respondents: 9,750. Responses: 9,750. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,625. Estimate Total Burden Cost: $0. III. Desired Focus of Comments The Department is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., by permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the ICR submitted to OMB; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: December 24, 2009. Joseph A. Piacentini, Director, Office of Policy and Research, Employee Benefits Security Administration. [FR Doc. E9–30999 Filed 12–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–29–P PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69367 POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2009–29; Order No. 368] Postal Product Price Changes Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to change prices for a Global Direct contract. This notice provides an opportunity for the public to comment. DATES: Comments are due: January 5, 2010. ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their views electronically should contact the person identified in ‘‘FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT’’ by telephone for advice on alternatives to electronic filing. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202–789–6820 or stephen.sharfman@prc.gov. On December 18, 2009, the Postal Service filed a notice that prices for the Global Direct contract at issue in the abovecaptioned proceeding will change as contemplated by the contract’s terms.1 The Notice includes three attachments: (1) A redacted version of the letter to the customer with the amended prices (Attachment 1); (2) a certified statement of compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a) (Attachment 2); and (3) an application for non-public treatment for the material filed under seal (Attachment 3). In Order No. 216, the Commission concluded that certain costs for these types of contracts are based on objective, external factors and out of the Postal Service’s discretion.2 Such objective, external factors are, in the case of Global Direct, exchange rate fluctuations and changes in the amount Canada Post Corporation charges the Postal Service for services. Id. at 7. For rate changes based on these types of objective, external factors, the Commission allowed that the Postal Service could file the changes on a ‘‘notice-type basis.’’ Id. The Postal Service filed the Notice because it plans on changing rates for the Global Direct contract at issue in this docket. It is unclear, however, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1 Notice of United States Postal Service of Change in Prices in Accordance with Order No. 216, December 18, 2009 (Notice). 2 PRC Order No. 216, Order Concerning Filing of Additional Global Direct Contracts Negotiated Service Agreement, May 15, 2009 (Order No. 216). E:\FR\FM\31DEN1.SGM 31DEN1 69368 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 250 / Thursday, December 31, 2009 / Notices whether the planned increase is only the result of ‘‘objective, external factors’’ contemplated by Order No. 216. If the increase is based on other terms of the contract that are not ‘‘objective, external factors,’’ i.e., based on Article 9, paragraph 2, of the contract, then it must be subject to the usual requirements of a competitive rate change set forth in 39 CFR 3015.5. Because the basis for the price change in the Notice is not clear, the Commission reopens Docket No. CP2009–29 to review the proposed price change and give interested persons the opportunity to comment on whether the Postal Service’s proposed rate increase is based on ‘‘objective, external factors.’’ If the change is based on such factors, Commission review may be unnecessary under the terms of Order No. 216. Comments may also address, if appropriate, whether the filings in the captioned docket are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, or 3652 and 39 CFR part 3015 and 39 CFR 3020, subpart B. Comments are due no later than January 5, 2010. The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as Public Representative in these dockets. It is ordered: 1. The Commission reopens Docket No. CP2009–29 for consideration of the issues raised in this order. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Paul L. Harrington is appointed to serve as the officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in these proceedings. 3. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no later than January 5, 2010. 5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Notice in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Shoshana M. Grove, Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–31034 Filed 12–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–S POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2009–36; Order No. 369] Postal Product Price Changes erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to change prices for a Direct Entry Parcels contract. This notice provides an opportunity for the public to comment. DATES: Comments are due: January 5, 2010. VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:06 Dec 30, 2009 Jkt 220001 Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their views electronically should contact the person identified in ‘‘FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT’’ by telephone for advice on alternatives to electronic filing. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202–789–6820 or stephen.sharfman@prc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Postal Service Filing II. Comments III. Ordering Paragraphs ADDRESSES: I. Postal Service Filing On December 21, 2009, the Postal Service filed a notice of a change in prices under the Direct Entry Parcels contract.1 Background. On July 31, 2009, the Commission issued Order No. 264 adding Direct Entry Parcels 1 (MC2009– 26 and CP2009–36) to the Competitive Product List.2 In that order, the Commission noted that the Direct Entry Parcels 1 contract ‘‘includes provisions that would permit price changes during the 1–year term of the contract.’’ Id. at 9. Price changes could result either from changes in the prices charged by Canada Post Corporation for Xpresspost, or from changes in costs incurred by the Postal Service relative to a specified threshold. Id. at 10. Order No. 264 directed the Postal Service to file a notice of any such price changes with the Commission prior to their effective date. Id. Notice. The Postal Service states that the price changes it is proposing are ‘‘not the sort of automatic change[s] based on external, objective factors for which the Commission has permitted a relatively streamlined, notice-type filing procedure.’’ Notice at 1, n.1.3 The Postal Service’s Notice includes (1) A redacted copy of the notice to the customer of new prices and supporting documentation establishing compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 39 CFR 1 Notice of United States Postal Service of Change in Prices, December 21, 2009 (Notice). 2 Docket Nos. MC2009–26 and CP2009–36, Order Concerning Direct Entry Parcels, International Return Service and Harmonization Service Negotiated Service Agreements, July 31, 2009 (Order No. 264). 3 Footnote 1 of the Notice refers to PRC Order No. 216, Docket No. CP2009–2, Order Concerning Filing of Additional Global Direct Contracts Negotiated Service Agreement, May 15, 2009, at 7 (Order No. 216). Order No. 216 permitted the Postal Service to make notice-type filings for non-discretionary price changes under Global Direct Contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations and Canada Post Corporation price changes. PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3015.5;‘‘4 and (2) the certified statement required by 39 CFR 3015.5(c)(2).5 Nonredacted copies of the customer notice and the certified statement have been filed under seal. The Notice also includes an application for non-public treatment of the non-redacted documents.6 II. Comments Interested persons may submit comments on the Postal Service’s December 21, 2009 filing no later than January 5, 2010. The public portion of the filing can be accessed via the Commission’s Web site (https:// www.prc.gov). The Commission appoints Emmett Rand Costich to serve as the Public Representative in this proceeding. III. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission reopens Docket No. CP2009–36 to consider the price changes proposed in the Postal Service’s December 21, 2009 filing. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Emmett Rand Costich is appointed to serve as officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in these proceedings. 3. Comments by interested persons in these proceedings are to be filed no later than January 5, 2010. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Shoshana M. Grove, Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–31073 Filed 12–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–S OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY Public Access Policies for Science and Technology Funding Agencies Across the Federal Government AGENCY: Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Executive Office of the President. ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period. SUMMARY: On December 9, 2009, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) within the Executive Office of the President, published a notice requesting input from the community regarding enhancing public access to archived publications resulting from 4 Attachment 1 to the Notice. 2 to the Notice. 6 Attachment 3 to the Notice. 5 Attachment E:\FR\FM\31DEN1.SGM 31DEN1

Agencies

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 250 (Thursday, December 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69367-69368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31034]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. CP2009-29; Order No. 368]


Postal Product Price Changes

AGENCY:  Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
request to change prices for a Global Direct contract. This notice 
provides an opportunity for the public to comment.

DATES:  Comments are due: January 5, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at https://www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their 
views electronically should contact the person identified in ``FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' by telephone for advice on alternatives 
to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
202-789-6820 or stephen.sharfman@prc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 18, 2009, the Postal Service 
filed a notice that prices for the Global Direct contract at issue in 
the above-captioned proceeding will change as contemplated by the 
contract's terms.\1\ The Notice includes three attachments: (1) A 
redacted version of the letter to the customer with the amended prices 
(Attachment 1); (2) a certified statement of compliance with 39 U.S.C. 
3633(a) (Attachment 2); and (3) an application for non-public treatment 
for the material filed under seal (Attachment 3).
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    \1\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Change in Prices 
in Accordance with Order No. 216, December 18, 2009 (Notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In Order No. 216, the Commission concluded that certain costs for 
these types of contracts are based on objective, external factors and 
out of the Postal Service's discretion.\2\ Such objective, external 
factors are, in the case of Global Direct, exchange rate fluctuations 
and changes in the amount Canada Post Corporation charges the Postal 
Service for services. Id. at 7. For rate changes based on these types 
of objective, external factors, the Commission allowed that the Postal 
Service could file the changes on a ``notice-type basis.'' Id.
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    \2\ PRC Order No. 216, Order Concerning Filing of Additional 
Global Direct Contracts Negotiated Service Agreement, May 15, 2009 
(Order No. 216).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Postal Service filed the Notice because it plans on changing 
rates for the Global Direct contract at issue in this docket. It is 
unclear, however,

[[Page 69368]]

whether the planned increase is only the result of ``objective, 
external factors'' contemplated by Order No. 216. If the increase is 
based on other terms of the contract that are not ``objective, external 
factors,'' i.e., based on Article 9, paragraph 2, of the contract, then 
it must be subject to the usual requirements of a competitive rate 
change set forth in 39 CFR 3015.5.
    Because the basis for the price change in the Notice is not clear, 
the Commission reopens Docket No. CP2009-29 to review the proposed 
price change and give interested persons the opportunity to comment on 
whether the Postal Service's proposed rate increase is based on 
``objective, external factors.'' If the change is based on such 
factors, Commission review may be unnecessary under the terms of Order 
No. 216. Comments may also address, if appropriate, whether the filings 
in the captioned docket are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 
3632, 3633, or 3652 and 39 CFR part 3015 and 39 CFR 3020, subpart B. 
Comments are due no later than January 5, 2010.
    The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as Public 
Representative in these dockets.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission reopens Docket No. CP2009-29 for consideration of 
the issues raised in this order.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Paul L. Harrington is appointed to 
serve as the officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in these proceedings.
    3. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than January 5, 2010.
    5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Notice in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-31034 Filed 12-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-S

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