First-Class Mail Postage Payment Option, 68868-68869 [2013-27282]

Download as PDF emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 68868 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2013 / Notices representatives of the NRC staff, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Luminant Generation Company, LLC. The Subcommittee will gather information, analyze relevant issues and facts, and formulate proposed positions and actions, as appropriate, for deliberation by the Full Committee. Members of the public desiring to provide oral statements and/or written comments should notify the Designated Federal Official (DFO), Girija Shukla (Telephone 301–415–6855 or Email: Girija.Shukla@nrc.gov) five days prior to the meeting, if possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Thirty-five hard copies of each presentation or handout should be provided to the DFO thirty minutes before the meeting. In addition, one electronic copy of each presentation should be emailed to the DFO one day before the meeting. If an electronic copy cannot be provided within this timeframe, presenters should provide the DFO with a CD containing each presentation at least thirty minutes before the meeting. Electronic recordings will be permitted only during those portions of the meeting that are open to the public. Detailed procedures for the conduct of and participation in ACRS meetings were published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2012, (77 FR 64146–64147). Detailed meeting agendas and meeting transcripts are available on the NRC Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc-collections/acrs. Information regarding topics to be discussed, changes to the agenda, whether the meeting has been canceled or rescheduled, and the time allotted to present oral statements can be obtained from the Web site cited above or by contacting the identified DFO. Moreover, in view of the possibility that the schedule for ACRS meetings may be adjusted by the Chairman as necessary to facilitate the conduct of the meeting, persons planning to attend should check with these references if such rescheduling would result in a major inconvenience. If attending this meeting, please enter through the One White Flint North building, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. After registering with security, please contact Mr. Theron Brown (Telephone 240–888–9835) to be escorted to the meeting room. Dated: November 6, 2013. Cayetano Santos, Chief, Technical Support Branch, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2013–27446 Filed 11–14–13; 8:45 am] VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 Nov 14, 2013 Jkt 232001 Sunshine Act Meeting Notice Week of November 18, 2013. Commissioners’ Conference Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. STATUS: Public and Closed. DATES: PLACE: Week of November 18, 2013 Thursday, November 21, 2013 4:00 p.m. Discussion of Management and Personnel Issues (Closed—Ex. 2 and 6) * * * * * *The schedule for Commission meetings is subject to change on short notice. To verify the status of meetings, call (recording)—301–415–1292. Contact person for more information: Rochelle Bavol, 301–415–1651. * * * * * The NRC Commission Meeting Schedule can be found on the Internet at: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ public-meetings/schedule.html. * * * * * The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these public meetings, or need this meeting notice or the transcript or other information from the public meetings in another format (e.g. braille, large print), please notify Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability Program Manager, at 301–287–0727, or by email at kimberly.meyer-chambers@ nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. * * * * * Members of the public may request to receive this information electronically. If you would like to be added to the distribution, please contact the Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301–415–1969), or send an email to Darlene.Wright@nrc.gov. Dated: November 12, 2013. Rochelle C. Bavol, Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–27558 Filed 11–13–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. R2014–1; Order No. 1873] First-Class Mail Postage Payment Option PO 00000 Postal Regulatory Commission. Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice. The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Alternate Postage Payment as a price category for FirstClass Mail Single-Piece letters and cards. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: November 25, 2013. ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. SUMMARY: [NRC–2013–0001] AGENCY: BILLING CODE 7590–01–P ACTION: NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Postal Service Filing III. Commission Action IV. Ordering Paragraphs I. Introduction On November 5, 2013, the Postal Service filed a notice with the Commission announcing its intent to add Alternate Postage Payment as a price category for First-Class Mail Single-Piece letters and cards pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3622 and 39 CFR part 3010.1 The classification and price adjustment will permit producers of First-Class Mail Single-Piece letters and cards to prepay postage so that the mailer would not need to affix a stamp (Adjustment). Id. at 2. The Adjustment is proposed to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2014. Id. at 1. II. Postal Service Filing Alternate Postage Payment category. The Postal Service plans to add Alternate Postage Payment as a price category for First-Class Mail SinglePiece letters and cards. Id. at 2. The Postal Service states that the Adjustment will permit producers of First-Class Mail Single-Piece letters and cards to prepay the mailer’s postage without the need for affixing a stamp. Id. Customers need only address the letter or card and drop it in a collection box. Id. at 3. Its simplicity will make customers more likely to mail greeting 1 United States Postal Service Notice of Market Dominant Classification and Price Changes for the Alternate Postage Payment Method, November 5, 2013 (Notice). E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2013 / Notices cards and other correspondence. Id. The Adjustment will be a premium offering and will be priced above current FirstClass Mail Single-Piece postage rates. Id. The Postal Service states that participating businesses will produce and distribute pre-approved envelopes and postcards according to specific design requirements established by the Postal Service and have the option of increasing the value of the pre-approved envelopes by applying a customized Picture Permit at no additional charge. Id. Postage will be paid by participating businesses in two stages: (1) An agreed upon prefunded portion of the total postage when the mailpiece is produced or distributed, and (2) the remaining portion when the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) on the mailpiece is scanned during normal processing. Id. IMb technology will be used to identify and count each mailpiece during processing, and once scanned, the participating business’ Centralized Automated Processing System (CAPS) account will be debited. Id. After purchasing the pre-approved envelopes from participating businesses, individual customers can then mail the item without using regular postage. Id. The Postal Service states that it has been conducting research through the Alternate Postage Payment Method for Greeting Cards Market Test.2 The Postal Service asserts that the market test has been successful and demonstrates the demand for this service as well as verifying the Postal Service’s ability to capture the scan data needed to collect postage from participating businesses. Notice at 4. The Postal Service has included as an attachment a redacted version of the most recent data from the Alternate Postage Market Test. Id. at Attachment B. In addition, the Postal Service filed as a non-public library reference an unredacted version of the most recent data from the Alternate Postage Market Test.3 The Postal Service proposes a tiered pricing approach. Notice at 5. The proposed pricing approach accommodates price tiers that require up to 20 percent, 21–50 percent, and over 50 percent of the postage to be prefunded. Id. at 5. The Postal Service also proposes to charge a slightly lower per-piece postage rate when companies emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2 See Docket No. MT2011–1, Order No. 617, Order Approving Market Test of Alternate Postage Payment Method for Greeting Cards, December 21, 2010; see also Docket No. MT2011–1, Order No. 1577, Order Granting Motion Concerning Market Test, December 13, 2012. 3 See Notice of the United States Postal Service of Filing of Non-Public Library Reference USPS– LR–R2014–1/CP1, November 5, 2013. This filing also included an application for non-public treatment of materials. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 Nov 14, 2013 Jkt 232001 choose a higher prefunding level, thus allowing businesses to choose a prefunding level based on their unique business needs. Id. It indicates the starting price differentials between tiers will be small, but may be adjusted in future filings based on customer response. The Postal Service provides the proposed pricing structure and requests that the Commission set the Alternate Postage rates as described in Table 1. Id. at 6. Due to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding First-Class Mail SinglePiece letter and card rates in 2014, the Postal Service states that it does not intend for the Commission to set the Alternate Postage rates in this manner in subsequent years. Id. at n.9. In addition, as the ultimate Alternate Postage price is uncertain, the Postal Service has left prices listed in the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) blank. Id., see also id. at Attachment A. Impact on the price cap. The Postal Service states that the planned prices have no impact on price cap issues because they do not change the prices for any existing First-Class Mail price categories. Id. at 6. Therefore, it made no cap or price change calculations as described in rules 3010.14(b)(1) through (4). Id. at 7. Objectives and factors, workshare discounts, and preferred rates. The Postal Service lists the relevant objectives and factors of 39 U.S.C. 3622, and claims the Adjustment does not substantially alter the degree to which First-Class Mail prices already address the objectives and factors. Id. at 7–11. In particular, the Postal Service contends that the Adjustment is an example of the increased pricing flexibility under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (objective 4), and will encourage new mail volumes, which will have the effect of enhancing the financial position of the Postal Service (objective 5). Id. at 10. Similarly, the Postal Service claims that the Adjustment encourages increased mail volume (factors 1 and 7) and, by providing a more convenient option for sending letters and cards, with additional postage exceeding any additional costs, will help First-Class Mail cover attributable costs (factor 2). Id. at 10–11. Finally, the Postal Service states the Adjustment’s use of an IMb to collect postage will promote use of Intelligent Mail (factor 13). Id. at 11. Workshare discounts and preferred rates. According to the Postal Service, the Adjustment will not impact current workshare discounts and no preferred rates are implicated. Id. at 11. Mail Classification Schedule (MCS). The Postal Service provides proposed PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68869 MCS language in Attachment A of its Notice. III. Commission Action The Commission establishes Docket No. R2014–1 to consider all matters related to the Notice. The Commission’s rules provide for a 20-day comment period starting from the date of the filing of the Notice. See 39 CFR 3010.13(a)(5). Interested persons may express views and offer comments on whether the planned changes are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3622 and 39 CFR part 3010. Comments are due no later than November 25, 2013. The Commission appoints Sean C. Duffy to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. IV. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission establishes Docket No. R2014–1 to consider matters raised by the Postal Service’s November 5, 2013 Notice. 2. Interested persons may submit comments on the planned price category implementation. Comments are due no later than November 25, 2013. 3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Sean C. Duffy is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Ruth Ann Abrams, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–27282 Filed 11–14–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–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 103; SEC File No. 270–410, OMB Control No. 3235–0466. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (‘‘PRA’’) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 103 of Regulation E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68868-68869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27282]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. R2014-1; Order No. 1873]


First-Class Mail Postage Payment Option

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning the addition of Alternate Postage Payment as a price 
category for First-Class Mail Single-Piece letters and cards. This 
notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and 
takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: November 25, 2013.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Postal Service Filing
III. Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On November 5, 2013, the Postal Service filed a notice with the 
Commission announcing its intent to add Alternate Postage Payment as a 
price category for First-Class Mail Single-Piece letters and cards 
pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3622 and 39 CFR part 3010.\1\ The classification 
and price adjustment will permit producers of First-Class Mail Single-
Piece letters and cards to prepay postage so that the mailer would not 
need to affix a stamp (Adjustment). Id. at 2. The Adjustment is 
proposed to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2014. Id. at 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ United States Postal Service Notice of Market Dominant 
Classification and Price Changes for the Alternate Postage Payment 
Method, November 5, 2013 (Notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Postal Service Filing

    Alternate Postage Payment category. The Postal Service plans to add 
Alternate Postage Payment as a price category for First-Class Mail 
Single-Piece letters and cards. Id. at 2. The Postal Service states 
that the Adjustment will permit producers of First-Class Mail Single-
Piece letters and cards to prepay the mailer's postage without the need 
for affixing a stamp. Id. Customers need only address the letter or 
card and drop it in a collection box. Id. at 3. Its simplicity will 
make customers more likely to mail greeting

[[Page 68869]]

cards and other correspondence. Id. The Adjustment will be a premium 
offering and will be priced above current First-Class Mail Single-Piece 
postage rates. Id.
    The Postal Service states that participating businesses will 
produce and distribute pre-approved envelopes and postcards according 
to specific design requirements established by the Postal Service and 
have the option of increasing the value of the pre-approved envelopes 
by applying a customized Picture Permit at no additional charge. Id. 
Postage will be paid by participating businesses in two stages: (1) An 
agreed upon prefunded portion of the total postage when the mailpiece 
is produced or distributed, and (2) the remaining portion when the 
Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) on the mailpiece is scanned during 
normal processing. Id. IMb technology will be used to identify and 
count each mailpiece during processing, and once scanned, the 
participating business' Centralized Automated Processing System (CAPS) 
account will be debited. Id. After purchasing the pre-approved 
envelopes from participating businesses, individual customers can then 
mail the item without using regular postage. Id.
    The Postal Service states that it has been conducting research 
through the Alternate Postage Payment Method for Greeting Cards Market 
Test.\2\ The Postal Service asserts that the market test has been 
successful and demonstrates the demand for this service as well as 
verifying the Postal Service's ability to capture the scan data needed 
to collect postage from participating businesses. Notice at 4. The 
Postal Service has included as an attachment a redacted version of the 
most recent data from the Alternate Postage Market Test. Id. at 
Attachment B. In addition, the Postal Service filed as a non-public 
library reference an unredacted version of the most recent data from 
the Alternate Postage Market Test.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See Docket No. MT2011-1, Order No. 617, Order Approving 
Market Test of Alternate Postage Payment Method for Greeting Cards, 
December 21, 2010; see also Docket No. MT2011-1, Order No. 1577, 
Order Granting Motion Concerning Market Test, December 13, 2012.
    \3\ See Notice of the United States Postal Service of Filing of 
Non-Public Library Reference USPS-LR-R2014-1/CP1, November 5, 2013. 
This filing also included an application for non-public treatment of 
materials.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Postal Service proposes a tiered pricing approach. Notice at 5. 
The proposed pricing approach accommodates price tiers that require up 
to 20 percent, 21-50 percent, and over 50 percent of the postage to be 
prefunded. Id. at 5. The Postal Service also proposes to charge a 
slightly lower per-piece postage rate when companies choose a higher 
prefunding level, thus allowing businesses to choose a prefunding level 
based on their unique business needs. Id. It indicates the starting 
price differentials between tiers will be small, but may be adjusted in 
future filings based on customer response.
    The Postal Service provides the proposed pricing structure and 
requests that the Commission set the Alternate Postage rates as 
described in Table 1. Id. at 6. Due to the prevailing uncertainty 
surrounding First-Class Mail Single-Piece letter and card rates in 
2014, the Postal Service states that it does not intend for the 
Commission to set the Alternate Postage rates in this manner in 
subsequent years. Id. at n.9. In addition, as the ultimate Alternate 
Postage price is uncertain, the Postal Service has left prices listed 
in the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) blank. Id., see also id. at 
Attachment A.
    Impact on the price cap. The Postal Service states that the planned 
prices have no impact on price cap issues because they do not change 
the prices for any existing First-Class Mail price categories. Id. at 
6. Therefore, it made no cap or price change calculations as described 
in rules 3010.14(b)(1) through (4). Id. at 7.
    Objectives and factors, workshare discounts, and preferred rates. 
The Postal Service lists the relevant objectives and factors of 39 
U.S.C. 3622, and claims the Adjustment does not substantially alter the 
degree to which First-Class Mail prices already address the objectives 
and factors. Id. at 7-11. In particular, the Postal Service contends 
that the Adjustment is an example of the increased pricing flexibility 
under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (objective 4), and 
will encourage new mail volumes, which will have the effect of 
enhancing the financial position of the Postal Service (objective 5). 
Id. at 10. Similarly, the Postal Service claims that the Adjustment 
encourages increased mail volume (factors 1 and 7) and, by providing a 
more convenient option for sending letters and cards, with additional 
postage exceeding any additional costs, will help First-Class Mail 
cover attributable costs (factor 2). Id. at 10-11. Finally, the Postal 
Service states the Adjustment's use of an IMb to collect postage will 
promote use of Intelligent Mail (factor 13). Id. at 11.
    Workshare discounts and preferred rates. According to the Postal 
Service, the Adjustment will not impact current workshare discounts and 
no preferred rates are implicated. Id. at 11.
    Mail Classification Schedule (MCS). The Postal Service provides 
proposed MCS language in Attachment A of its Notice.

III. Commission Action

    The Commission establishes Docket No. R2014-1 to consider all 
matters related to the Notice. The Commission's rules provide for a 20-
day comment period starting from the date of the filing of the Notice. 
See 39 CFR 3010.13(a)(5). Interested persons may express views and 
offer comments on whether the planned changes are consistent with the 
policies of 39 U.S.C. 3622 and 39 CFR part 3010. Comments are due no 
later than November 25, 2013.
    The Commission appoints Sean C. Duffy to represent the interests of 
the general public in this proceeding.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. R2014-1 to consider 
matters raised by the Postal Service's November 5, 2013 Notice.
    2. Interested persons may submit comments on the planned price 
category implementation. Comments are due no later than November 25, 
2013.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Sean C. Duffy is appointed to serve 
as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-27282 Filed 11-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
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