Postal Classification Changes, 70754-70755 [2010-29083]
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mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
70754
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 222 / Thursday, November 18, 2010 / Notices
states that the duration of the market
test will not exceed 24 months. Id. at 8.
The Postal Service does not anticipate
that the annual revenues from the
market test will exceed $50 million.
However, it does anticipate that annual
revenues will exceed $10,000,000 and
therefore requests that the Commission
exempt this market test from the annual
revenue limitation under 39 U.S.C.
3641(e)(2). Id. at 8, 12.
Description and nature of market test.
Pursuant to section 3641(c)(1)(B), the
Postal Service provides a description of
the nature and scope of the market test.
The Postal Service explains that
participating businesses will produce
and distribute pre-approved envelopes
with specific design requirements that
will be included as a part of the greeting
card packaging. The company
producing the cards will add markings
as defined by the Postal Service to
identify the greeting cards in the
mailstream and individuals can mail the
greeting cards in the pre-approved
envelopes without affixing postage.
These markings are scanned to produce
a count. Id. at 1. The Alternate Postage
Payment Method derives part of the
postage payment on sales data reported
to the Postal Service by participating
mailers. Id. at 2. The process involves
the use of Intelligent Mail (IM ®)
technology to identify and scan each
unique item’s movement through the
postal system which produces a count
of the number during normal
processing. Id. Each participating
business will receive a unique Mailer ID
only for this market test. Id. at 5. This
count is used to debit the card
producer’s Centralized Automated
Processing System (CAPS) account for
the portion of postage that was not
based on the sales data. Id. at 2.
Product description. Postage will be
paid by the card producer based on
sales information, along with the data
captured during mail processing. The
mailpieces include a combination of
four elements:
• Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)
enables the recording of piece-level
information for volume and revenue
reporting;
• Legend identifies the business
customer responsible for paying the
postage;
• Facing Identification Mark (FIM)
facilitates mail processing and allows
separate identification of this mail for
future use; and
• Imprint: ‘‘No Postage Necessary if
Mailed in the United States’’ will be
printed in the upper right corner of the
address side of the item.
Id. at 5.
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Under the proposed market test, the
Postal Service states that participating
companies must meet specific mail item
design requirements which must be
approved prior to distribution. Id. The
Postal Service also states that market
test mail items will be processed and
delivered according to single-piece
First-Class Mail letter standards. Id. The
Postal Service expects that greeting card
companies will use the product to
increase the sale of greeting cards, and
customers will have a simpler manner
of mailing the cards. Id. at 6.
The Postal Service states that
Alternate Postage Payment Method will
be a premium product with a price
above First-Class Mail single-piece
postage. Id. The proposed price is 48
cents for cards and envelopes with a
combined weight of no more than one
ounce for sales or scans completed
during the first year. For mail and
envelopes with a combined weight
between one and two ounces, the price
will be 48 cents plus the second ounce
price for sales or scans during the first
year of the market test. In the test’s
second year, the Postal Service will
determine how to modify the price
based on market conditions and changes
in the single-piece price. It also plans to
test more than one postage rate during
the second year. Thus, the Postal
Service proposes a range of rates during
the market test period. Id. at 7.
The Postal Service contends that the
benefits of the market test include
reduction in the costs of selling stamps
to the public, proportional increase in
the mailing of greeting cards,
convenience, and a cost effective
product for customer. Id. Additionally,
it asserts that the product should
contribute to the financial stability of
the Postal Service.
The Notice also addresses the Postal
Service’s plan to monitor performance
and its data collection plan. Id. at 13.
III. Notice of Filing
The Commission establishes Docket
No. MT2011–1 for consideration of
matters raised by the Notice. Interested
persons may submit comments on
whether the Postal Service’s filing in the
captioned docket is consistent with the
policies of 39 U.S.C. 3641. Comments
are due no later than December 8, 2010.
The filing can be accessed via the
Commission’s Web site
(http:www.prc.gov).
The Commission appoints Katrina R.
Martinez to serve as Public
Representative in this docket.
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
PO 00000
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1. The Commission establishes Docket
No. MT2011–1 for consideration of the
matters raised by the Notice.
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Katrina
R. Martinez is appointed to serve as
officer of the Commission (Public
Representative) to represent the
interests of the general public in this
proceeding.
3. Comments by interested persons
are due no later than December 8, 2010.
4. The Secretary shall arrange for
publication of this order in the Federal
Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29086 Filed 11–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. MC2011–5; Order No. 583]
Postal Classification Changes
Postal Regulatory Commission.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Commission is noticing a
recently-filed Postal Service request
announcing a classification change
affecting bundle and container charges
for Outside County Periodicals pieces in
combined mailings of Standard Mail
and Periodicals. This notice addresses
procedural steps associated with this
filing.
SUMMARY:
Comment deadline: November
24, 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 the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section
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.
DATES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Additional Details
III. Commission Analysis and Initial Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On November 5, 2010, the United
States Postal Service, invoking
Commission rules 3020.90 and 91, filed
a Notice with the Commission
announcing a classification change
E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM
18NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 222 / Thursday, November 18, 2010 / Notices
established by the Governors.1 The
change affects bundle and container
charges for Outside County Periodicals
pieces in combined mailings of
Standard Mail and Periodicals. Id. at 1.
An attachment to the Notice presents
conforming revisions to the Mail
Classification Schedule (MCS). These
revisions affect Periodicals MCS section
1320.4, Price Categories. They do not
affect any Standard Mail sections in the
MCS, nor do they affect any Within
County MCS sections. The Notice does
not provide a date certain for the
planned change.
II. Additional Details
Relationship to co-mailing and copalletizing. The Postal Service notes
that the planned change means that
when bundles or containers include
both Standard Mail and Periodicals
pieces, the Outside County Periodicals
bundle and container prices apply based
on the proportion of Periodicals pieces
in bundles or weight in the container.
Id. It explains:
Specifically, mailers using the Mixed Class
preparation option may combine Standard
Mail and Periodicals mailpieces within the
same bundle (comail), or combine separate
same-class bundles on the same pallet
(copalletize), to maximize presorting or to
qualify for deeper destination entry
discounts.
Id.
The Postal Service asserts, without
elaboration, that the changes provide ‘‘a
fair price application for Mixed Class
mailings of Standard Mail and
Periodicals.’’ Id. In a similar vein, it also
asserts that it believes the changes are
consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3642 and
should be incorporated by the
Commission into the MCS. Id.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
III. Commission Analysis and Initial
Action
Rules 3020.90 and 91, which the
Postal Service cites as the
administrative vehicle for its filing, are
part of Subpart E of Part 3020—Product
Lists. This subpart is captioned
‘‘Requests Initiated by the Postal Service
to Change the Mail Classification
Schedule.’’ The first two individual
rules within this subpart address Postal
Service responsibilities. They require
that the Postal Service assure that
product descriptions in the MCS
accurately reflect current offerings
(§ 3020.90) and submit corrections that
do not constitute a proposal to modify
the product lists by filing a notice of the
1 Notice of the United States Postal Service of
Classification Change Related to Combined
Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals,
November 5, 2010 (Notice).
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16:56 Nov 17, 2010
Jkt 223001
proposed change no later than 15 days
prior to effective date (§ 3020.91).
The remaining two rules address
Commission responsibilities. They
require the Commission to publish the
proposed change on its Web site and
provide interested persons with an
opportunity to comment on the
consistency of the planned change with
39 U.S.C. 3642 (§ 3020.92). They also
require the Commission to review the
change and comments and, upon a
finding that there is no inconsistency
with 39 U.S.C. 3642, to change the MCS
to coincide with the effective date of the
change (§ 3020.93(a)).
The rules in Subpart E were adopted
as part of a series of rulemakings
implementing the Postal Accountability
and Enhancement Act (PAEA) of 2006.
At the time, the Commission viewed
Subpart E as a vehicle for minor
classification changes. The Postal
Service’s Notice indicates that it
considers Subpart E as an appropriate
vehicle for effecting the modification
proposed here, which it characterizes as
a matter of rate application for practices
associated with co-mailing and copalletizing in mixed class mailings.
The Commission interprets the Postal
Service’s presentation of proposed MCS
revisions and its assertion regarding
consistency with 39 U.S.C. 3642, which
addresses changes to the product lists,
as a demonstration of its interest in
facial compliance with Subpart E
requirements and the apparent lack of
other viable alternatives under the
existing administrative framework.
With the perspective gained over the
past few years, it appears that Subpart
E may not be optimally suited for the
type of change the Postal Service
proposes here. This is because the
proposal may have rate and price cap
implications, raising questions about
how the Commission’s compliance
function will be affected. At the same
time, it is also appears that no practical
alternative exists for expedited
consideration of the proposal, and that
compliance concerns can be addressed,
at least preliminarily, in the context of
this case.
The Commission therefore establishes
Docket No. MC2011–5, Modification of
Mail Classification Schedule Regarding
Combined Mailings of Standard Mail
and Periodicals, to address the Postal
Service’s filing. In conformance with
rule 3020.92, the planned change
appears on the Commission’s Web site.
In addition, the Notice will be
published in the Federal Register. The
Commission invites interested persons
to comment on the consistency of the
change with 39 U.S.C. 3622 and 3642.
PO 00000
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70755
Comments are due no later than
November 24, 2010.
In conformance with 39 U.S.C. 505,
the Commission appoints Robert N.
Sidman to represent the interests of the
general public in this proceeding.
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket
No. MC2011–5, Modification of Mail
Classification Schedule Regarding
Combined Mailings of Standard Mail
and Periodicals, for consideration of
matters raised in the Postal Service’s
Notice.
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Robert
N. Sidman is designated officer of the
Commission (Public Representative) to
represent the interests of the general
public in this proceeding.
3. Comments are due no later than
November 24, 2010.
4. The Secretary shall arrange for
publication of this notice and order in
the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–29083 Filed 11–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
PRESIDIO TRUST
Notice of Public Meeting
The Presidio Trust.
Notice of Public Meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with § 103(c)(6)
of the Presidio Trust Act, 16 U.S.C.
460bb appendix, and in accordance
with the Presidio Trust’s bylaws, notice
is hereby given that a public meeting of
the Presidio Trust Board of Directors
will be held commencing 6:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at the
Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop,
Presidio of San Francisco, California.
The Presidio Trust was created by
Congress in 1996 to manage
approximately eighty percent of the
former U.S. Army base known as the
Presidio, in San Francisco, California.
The purposes of this meeting are to
approve minutes of a previous Board
meeting, to provide the Executive
Director’s report, to provide the
Chairperson’s report, to provide the
Finance and Audit Committee report, to
approve a Revised Fiscal Year 2011
Budget Forecast and Five-Year
Construction Plan, to provide project
updates, and to receive public comment
on other matters in accordance with the
Trust’s Public Outreach Policy.
Individuals requiring special
accommodation at this meeting, such as
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM
18NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70754-70755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29083]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. MC2011-5; Order No. 583]
Postal Classification Changes
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service
request announcing a classification change affecting bundle and
container charges for Outside County Periodicals pieces in combined
mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals. This notice addresses
procedural steps associated with this filing.
DATES: Comment deadline: November 24, 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 the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 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:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Additional Details
III. Commission Analysis and Initial Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On November 5, 2010, the United States Postal Service, invoking
Commission rules 3020.90 and 91, filed a Notice with the Commission
announcing a classification change
[[Page 70755]]
established by the Governors.\1\ The change affects bundle and
container charges for Outside County Periodicals pieces in combined
mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals. Id. at 1. An attachment to
the Notice presents conforming revisions to the Mail Classification
Schedule (MCS). These revisions affect Periodicals MCS section 1320.4,
Price Categories. They do not affect any Standard Mail sections in the
MCS, nor do they affect any Within County MCS sections. The Notice does
not provide a date certain for the planned change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Notice of the United States Postal Service of Classification
Change Related to Combined Mailings of Standard Mail and
Periodicals, November 5, 2010 (Notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Additional Details
Relationship to co-mailing and co-palletizing. The Postal Service
notes that the planned change means that when bundles or containers
include both Standard Mail and Periodicals pieces, the Outside County
Periodicals bundle and container prices apply based on the proportion
of Periodicals pieces in bundles or weight in the container. Id. It
explains:
Specifically, mailers using the Mixed Class preparation option
may combine Standard Mail and Periodicals mailpieces within the same
bundle (comail), or combine separate same-class bundles on the same
pallet (copalletize), to maximize presorting or to qualify for
deeper destination entry discounts.
Id.
The Postal Service asserts, without elaboration, that the changes
provide ``a fair price application for Mixed Class mailings of Standard
Mail and Periodicals.'' Id. In a similar vein, it also asserts that it
believes the changes are consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3642 and should be
incorporated by the Commission into the MCS. Id.
III. Commission Analysis and Initial Action
Rules 3020.90 and 91, which the Postal Service cites as the
administrative vehicle for its filing, are part of Subpart E of Part
3020--Product Lists. This subpart is captioned ``Requests Initiated by
the Postal Service to Change the Mail Classification Schedule.'' The
first two individual rules within this subpart address Postal Service
responsibilities. They require that the Postal Service assure that
product descriptions in the MCS accurately reflect current offerings
(Sec. 3020.90) and submit corrections that do not constitute a
proposal to modify the product lists by filing a notice of the proposed
change no later than 15 days prior to effective date (Sec. 3020.91).
The remaining two rules address Commission responsibilities. They
require the Commission to publish the proposed change on its Web site
and provide interested persons with an opportunity to comment on the
consistency of the planned change with 39 U.S.C. 3642 (Sec. 3020.92).
They also require the Commission to review the change and comments and,
upon a finding that there is no inconsistency with 39 U.S.C. 3642, to
change the MCS to coincide with the effective date of the change (Sec.
3020.93(a)).
The rules in Subpart E were adopted as part of a series of
rulemakings implementing the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act
(PAEA) of 2006. At the time, the Commission viewed Subpart E as a
vehicle for minor classification changes. The Postal Service's Notice
indicates that it considers Subpart E as an appropriate vehicle for
effecting the modification proposed here, which it characterizes as a
matter of rate application for practices associated with co-mailing and
co-palletizing in mixed class mailings.
The Commission interprets the Postal Service's presentation of
proposed MCS revisions and its assertion regarding consistency with 39
U.S.C. 3642, which addresses changes to the product lists, as a
demonstration of its interest in facial compliance with Subpart E
requirements and the apparent lack of other viable alternatives under
the existing administrative framework.
With the perspective gained over the past few years, it appears
that Subpart E may not be optimally suited for the type of change the
Postal Service proposes here. This is because the proposal may have
rate and price cap implications, raising questions about how the
Commission's compliance function will be affected. At the same time, it
is also appears that no practical alternative exists for expedited
consideration of the proposal, and that compliance concerns can be
addressed, at least preliminarily, in the context of this case.
The Commission therefore establishes Docket No. MC2011-5,
Modification of Mail Classification Schedule Regarding Combined
Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals, to address the Postal
Service's filing. In conformance with rule 3020.92, the planned change
appears on the Commission's Web site. In addition, the Notice will be
published in the Federal Register. The Commission invites interested
persons to comment on the consistency of the change with 39 U.S.C. 3622
and 3642. Comments are due no later than November 24, 2010.
In conformance with 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Robert
N. Sidman to represent the interests of the general public in this
proceeding.
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2011-5, Modification of
Mail Classification Schedule Regarding Combined Mailings of Standard
Mail and Periodicals, for consideration of matters raised in the Postal
Service's Notice.
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Robert N. Sidman is designated
officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the
interests of the general public in this proceeding.
3. Comments are due no later than November 24, 2010.
4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice and
order in the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-29083 Filed 11-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
