Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products; Postponement of Implementation Date, 4079-4082 [2014-01382]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 16 / Friday, January 24, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. We have
analyzed this rule under that Order and
determined that it does not have
implications for federalism.
6. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First
Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to contact the
person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to
coordinate protest activities so that your
message can be received without
jeopardizing the safety or security of
people, places or vessels.
7. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires
Federal agencies to assess the effects of
their discretionary regulatory actions. In
particular, the Act addresses actions
that may result in the expenditure by a
State, local, or tribal government, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of
$100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or
more in any one year. Though this rule
will not result in such expenditure, we
do discuss the effects of this rule
elsewhere in this preamble.
8. Taking of Private Property
This rule will not cause a taking of
private property or otherwise have
taking implications under Executive
Order 12630, Governmental Actions and
Interference with Constitutionally
Protected Property Rights.
9. Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets applicable standards
in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive
Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to
minimize litigation, eliminate
ambiguity, and reduce burden.
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes.
12. Energy Effects
This action is not a ‘‘significant
energy action’’ under Executive Order
13211, Actions Concerning Regulations
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use.
13. Technical Standards
This rule does not use technical
standards. Therefore, we did not
consider the use of voluntary consensus
standards.
14. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under
Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023–01 and
Commandant Instruction M16475.lD,
which guide the Coast Guard in
complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and
have made a preliminary determination
that this action is one of a category of
actions that do not individually or
cumulatively have a significant effect on
the human environment.
This rule involves the establishment
of a security zone and is therefore,
categorically excluded under paragraph
34(g) of Figure 2–1 of the Commandant
Instruction. An environmental analysis
checklist supporting this determination
and a Categorical Exclusion
Determination are available in the
docket where indicated under
ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or
information that may lead to the
discovery of a significant environmental
impact from this rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
10. Protection of Children
We have analyzed this rule under
Executive Order 13045, Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not
an economically significant rule and
does not create an environmental risk to
health or risk to safety that may
disproportionately affect children.
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation
(water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Security measures,
Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR Part 165 as follows:
PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION
AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
11. Indian Tribal Governments
This rule does not have tribal
implications under Executive Order
13175, Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments,
because it does not have a substantial
direct effect on one or more Indian
tribes, on the relationship between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes,
or on the distribution of power and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:14 Jan 23, 2014
Jkt 232001
1. The authority citation for part 165
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C.
Chapters 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195;
33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5;
Pub. L. 107–295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department
of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
2. Amend § 165.915 by adding
paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:
■
§ 165.915 Security zones; Captain of the
Port Detroit.
PO 00000
(a) * * *
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
4079
(3) North American International
Auto Show, Detroit River, Detroit, MI.
All waters of the Detroit River
encompassed by a line beginning at a
point of origin on land adjacent to the
west end of Joe Lewis Arena at 42°19.44′
N, 083°03.11′ W; then extending
offshore approximately 150 yards to
42°19.39′ N, 083°03.07′ W; then
proceeding upriver approximately 2000
yards to a point at 42°19.72′ N,
083°01.88′ W; then proceeding onshore
to a point on land adjacent to the
Tricentennial State Park at 42°19.79′ N,
083°01.90′ W; then proceeding
downriver along the shoreline to
connect back to the point of origin on
land adjacent to the west end of the Joe
Louis Arena (NAD 83). This security
zone will be enforced for two weeks in
the month of January with the exact
dates and times to be published
annually via a Notice of Enforcement.
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: January 10, 2014.
J. E. Ogden,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port, Sector Detroit.
[FR Doc. 2014–01290 Filed 1–23–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 121
Revised Service Standards for MarketDominant Mail Products;
Postponement of Implementation Date
Postal ServiceTM.
Final rule; postponement of
implementation date.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
This document announces the
postponement of the implementation
date for the revised service standards for
market-dominant mail products that
were scheduled to take effect on
February 1, 2014, as part of the Network
Rationalization initiative. The new
implementation date will be announced
by the Postal Service in the Federal
Register at least 90 days before it takes
effect.
DATES: Effective date: January 24, 2014.
Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
concerning postponement of
implementation date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Williams, Network Operations, at
202–268–4305.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 21, 2011, the Postal
Service published an advance notice of
proposed rulemaking (the Advance
Notice) in the Federal Register to solicit
public comment on a conceptual
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24JAR1.SGM
24JAR1
4080
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 16 / Friday, January 24, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
proposal to revise service standards for
market-dominant products.1 After
considering comments received in
response to the Advance Notice, the
Postal Service determined to develop
the concept into a concrete proposal,
termed Network Rationalization. The
basic logic of Network Rationalization is
that falling mail volumes and the
resultant excess capacity in the Postal
Service’s mail processing network
necessitate a major consolidation of the
network, and this task in turn is
contingent on revisions to service
standards, particularly the overnight
standard for First-Class Mail.
On December 5, 2011, the Postal
Service submitted a request to the Postal
Regulatory Commission (PRC) for an
advisory opinion on the service changes
associated with Network
Rationalization, in accordance with 39
U.S.C. 3661(b).2 On December 15, 2011,
the Postal Service published proposed
revisions to its market-dominant service
standards in the Federal Register and
sought public comment (the Proposed
Rulemaking).3 The comment period for
the Proposed Rulemaking closed on
February 13, 2012. The final rule was
published on May 25, 2012.4
Having considered public input and
the results of its market research, the
Postal Service decided to implement
Network Rationalization in a phased
manner. The service standard changes
associated with the first phase of
Network Rationalization became
effective on July 1, 2012.5 This
document announces the Postal
Service’s decision to postpone the
second phase of Network
Rationalization, and the corresponding
service standard changes.
The Postal Service’s market-dominant
service standards are contained in 39
CFR part 121. This document revises the
service standards by announcing the
postponement of the implementation
date for the service standards scheduled
to become effective on February 1, 2014,
and establishing the continuation of
service standards currently in effect.
This revision is applied by replacing
‘‘February 1, 2014’’ with ‘‘the effective
date identified by the Postal Service in
a future Federal Register document’’
1 Proposal to Revise Service Standards for FirstClass Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR
58433 (Sept. 21, 2011).
2 PRC Docket No. N2012–1, Request of the United
States Postal Service for an Advisory Opinion on
Changes in the Nature of Postal Services (Dec. 5,
2011). Documents pertaining to the Request are
available at the PRC Web site, https://www.prc.gov.
3 Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail
Products, 76 FR 77942 (Dec. 15, 2011).
4 Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant
Mail Products, 77 FR 31190 (May 25, 2012).
5 Id.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:14 Jan 23, 2014
Jkt 232001
each place where ‘‘February 1, 2014’’
appears in the current version of 39 CFR
part 121, and in Appendix A to that
part.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 121
Administrative practice and
procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in
the preamble, the Postal Service adopts
the following revisions to 39 CFR part
121:
PART 121—SERVICE STANDARDS
FOR MARKET DOMINANT MAIL
PRODUCTS
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR
part 121 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404,
1001, 3691.
2. Section 121.1 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to read
as follows:
■
§ 121.1
First-Class Mail.
(a)(1) Until the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a
future Federal Register document, a 1day (overnight) service standard is
applied to intra-Sectional Center
Facility (SCF) domestic First-Class
Mail® pieces properly accepted before
the day-zero Critical Entry Time (CET),
except for mail between Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands, mail between
American Samoa and Hawaii, and mail
destined to the following 3-digit ZIP
Code areas in Alaska (or designated
portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes
99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998,
and 999.
(2) On and after the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a
future Federal Register document, a 1day (overnight) service standard is
applied to intra-SCF domestic Presort
First-Class Mail pieces properly
accepted at the SCF before the day-zero
CET, except for mail between Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
mail destined to American Samoa and
the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in
Alaska (or designated portions thereof):
995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through
99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
(b)(1) Until the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a
future Federal Register document, a 2day service standard is applied to interSCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces
properly accepted before the day-zero
CET if the drive time between the origin
Processing & Distribution Center or
Facility (P&DC/F) and destination Area
Distribution Center (ADC) is 6 hours or
less; or if the origin and destination are
separately in Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands; or if the origin or
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
destination is in American Samoa or
one of the following 3-digit ZIP Code
areas in Alaska (or designated portions
thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540
through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
(2) On and after the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a
future Federal Register document, a 2day service standard is applied to interSCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces
properly accepted before the day-zero
CET if the drive time between the origin
P&DC/F and destination SCF is 6 hours
or less; or if the origin and destination
are separately in Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands; or if the origin or
destination is in American Samoa or
one of the following 3-digit ZIP Code
areas in Alaska (or designated portions
thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540
through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Section 121.2 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
§ 121.2
Periodicals.
(a) End-to-End.
(1)(i) Until the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a
future Federal Register document, a 2to 4-day service standard is applied to
Periodicals pieces properly accepted
before the day-zero Critical Entry Time
(CET) and merged with First-Class Mail
pieces for surface transportation (as per
the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)),
with the standard specifically equaling
the sum of 1 day plus the applicable
First-Class Mail service standard;
(ii) On and after the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a
future Federal Register document, a 3to 4-day service standard is applied to
Periodicals pieces properly accepted
before the day-zero CET and merged
with First-Class Mail pieces for surface
transportation (as per the DMM), with
the standard specifically equaling the
sum of 1 day plus the applicable FirstClass Mail service standard.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. Appendix A to Part 121 is amended
by revising the introductory text and
Tables 1 through 4 to read as follows:
Appendix A to Part 121—Tables
Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges
The following tables reflect the service
standard day ranges resulting from the
application of the business rules applicable
to the market-dominant mail products
referenced in §§ 121.1 through 121.4:
Table 1. Prior to the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a future
Federal Register document, end-to-end
service standard day ranges for mail
originating and destinating within the
E:\FR\FM\24JAR1.SGM
24JAR1
4081
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 16 / Friday, January 24, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Federal Register document, end-to-end
service standard day ranges for mail
originating and destinating within the
contiguous 48 states and the District of
Columbia.
contiguous 48 states and the District of
Columbia.
CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES
Mail class
End-to-end
range
(days)
First-Class Mail .....................
Periodicals ............................
Standard Mail .......................
Package Services .................
CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES—
Continued
CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES
1–3
2–9
3–10
2–8
Table 2. On and after the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a future
Package Services .................
End-to-end
range
(days)
Mail class
First-Class Mail .....................
Periodicals ............................
Standard Mail .......................
End-to-end
range
(days)
Mail class
1–3
3–9
3–10
2–8
Table 3. Prior to the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a future
Federal Register document, end-to-end
service standard day ranges for mail
originating and/or destinating in noncontiguous states and territories.
NON-CONTIGUOUS STATES AND TERRITORIES
End-to-end
Intra state/territory
To/from contiguous 48 states
Mail class
Hawaii,
Guam &
American
Samoa
Alaska
First-Class Mail ............................
Periodicals ....................................
Standard Mail ...............................
Package Services ........................
1–3
2–4
3–5
* 2–4
Puerto
Rico &
USVI
1–3
2–4
3–5
2–4
1–2
2–3
3–4
2–3
Alaska
Hawaii,
Guam, &
American
Samoa
3–4
13–19
14–20
12–18
Puerto
Rico &
USVI
3–5
12–22
13–23
11–21
3–4
11–16
12–17
10–15
To/from states of Alaska and
Hawaii, and the territories of
Guam, Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands
Alaska
4–5
21–25
23–26
21–26
Hawaii,
Guam, &
American
Samoa
Puerto
Rico &
USVI
4–5
21–26
23–27
20–26
4–5
23–26
24–27
20–24
* Excluding bypass mail.
Table 4. On and after the effective date
identified by the Postal Service in a future
Federal Register document, end-to-end
service standard day ranges for mail
originating and/or destinating in noncontiguous states and territories.
NON-CONTIGUOUS STATES AND TERRITORIES
End-to-end
Intra state/territory
To/from contiguous 48 states
Mail class
Alaska
First-Class Mail ............................
Periodicals ....................................
Standard Mail ...............................
Package Services ........................
Hawaii,
Guam &
American
Samoa
1–3
3–4
3–5
* 2–4
1–3
3–4
3–5
2–4
Puerto
Rico &
USVI
1–2
3
3–4
2–3
Alaska
3–4
13–19
14–20
12–18
Hawaii,
Guam, &
American
Samoa
3–5
12–22
13–23
11–21
Puerto
Rico &
USVI
3–4
11–16
12–17
10–15
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
* Excluding bypass mail.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:14 Jan 23, 2014
Jkt 232001
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
E:\FR\FM\24JAR1.SGM
24JAR1
To/from states of Alaska and
Hawaii, and the territories of
Guam, Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands
Alaska
4–5
21–25
23–26
21–26
Hawaii,
Guam, &
American
Samoa
4–5
21–26
23–27
20–26
Puerto
Rico &
USVI
4–5
23–26
24–27
20–24
4082
*
*
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 16 / Friday, January 24, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
*
*
*
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2014–01382 Filed 1–23–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2013–0562; FRL–9905–70–
Region–4]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; North Carolina:
Non-Interference Demonstration for
Removal of Federal Low-Reid Vapor
Pressure Requirement for the
Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point
Area
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving the State of
North Carolina’s April 12, 2013, State
Implementation Plan (SIP) revision to
its approved maintenance plan for the
Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point
1997 8-hour Ozone Maintenance Area
(Triad). Specifically, North Carolina’s
SIP revision, including updated
modeling, shows that the Triad Area
would continue to maintain the 1997 8hour ozone standard if the currently
applicable Federal Reid Vapor Pressure
(RVP) standard for gasoline of 7.8
pounds per square inch (psi) were
modified to 9.0 psi for four portions
(Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford and Davie
Counties) of the ‘‘Triad Area’’ during the
high-ozone season. The State has
included a technical demonstration
with the SIP revision to demonstrate
that a less-stringent RVP standard of 9.0
psi in these portions of this area would
not interfere with continued
maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone
national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS) or any other applicable
standard. Approval of this SIP revision
is a prerequisite for EPA’s consideration
of an amendment to the regulations to
remove the aforementioned portions of
the Triad Area from the list of areas that
are currently subject to the Federal 7.8
psi RVP requirements. In addition, the
revised on-road mobile and non-road
mobile source emissions modeling
associated with the requested
modification to the RVP standard
utilizes the updated Motor Vehicle
Emissions Simulator (MOVES) and
NONROAD2008 models which are the
most current versions of modeling
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:14 Jan 23, 2014
Jkt 232001
systems available for these sources. EPA
has determined that North Carolina’s
April 12, 2013, SIP revision with respect
to the revisions to the modeling and
associated technical demonstration
associated with the State’s request for
the removal of the Federal 7.8 psi RVP
requirements, and with respect to the
updated on-road mobile, non-road
mobile and area source emissions, is
consistent with the applicable
provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA or
Act). Should EPA decide to remove the
subject portions of the Triad Area from
those areas subject to the 7.8 psi Federal
RVP requirements, such action will
occur in a subsequent rulemaking.
DATES: This rule will be effective on
February 24, 2014.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR–
2013–0562. All documents in the docket
are listed on the www.regulations.gov
Web site. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, i.e., Confidential Business
Information or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the Internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically through
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Regulatory Development Section,
Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA
requests that if at all possible, you
contact the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
schedule your inspection. The Regional
Office’s official hours of business are
Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30
excluding federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sean Lakeman, Regulatory Development
Section, Air Planning Branch, Air,
Pesticides and Toxics Management
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street,
SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The
telephone number is (404) 562–9043.
Mr. Lakeman can be reached via
electronic mail at lakeman.sean@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background of the Triad Area
II. Background of the Gasoline Volatility
Requirement
III. This Action
IV. Final Action
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background of the Triad Area
On November 6, 1991 (56 FR 56694),
EPA designated the Counties of
Davidson, Forsyth and Guilford in their
entirety and the portion of Davie County
bounded by the Yadkin River,
Dutchmans Creek, North Carolina
Highway 801, Fulton Creek and back to
Yadkin River in the Triad Area as
moderate nonattainment for the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS. Among the requirements
applicable to nonattainment areas for
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS was the
requirement to meet certain volatility
standards (known as Reid Vapor
Pressure or RVP) for gasoline sold
commercially. See 55 FR 23658 (June
11, 1990). As discussed in greater detail
below, as part of the RVP requirements
associated with the nonattainment
designation, gasoline sold in the Triad
1-hour ozone nonattainment area could
not exceed 7.8 psi RVP during the highozone season months.
Following implementation of the 7.8
psi RVP requirement in the Triad Area,
on September 9, 1993, the Triad Area
was redesignated to attainment for the
1-hour ozone NAAQS, based on 1989–
1992 ambient air quality monitoring
data. See 58 FR 47391. North Carolina’s
November 13, 1992, 1-hour ozone
redesignation request did not include a
request for the removal of the 7.8 psi
RVP standard. The requirements
remained in place for the Area when it
was designated nonattainment for the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS that was
promulgated on July 18, 1997, and later
designated attainment for the 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS that was
promulgated March 12, 2008. See 77 FR
30088 (May 21, 2012).
On April 30, 2004, EPA designated
and classified areas for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS (69 FR 23857)
unclassifiable/attainment or
nonattainment for the new 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. The Triad Area was designated
as nonattainment with a deferred
effective date as part of the Early Action
Compact (EAC)1 program. (For more
information on the EAC program, see,
https://www.epa.gov/airquality/eac/
fs20080331_eac.html.) The GreensboroWinston Salem-High Point
nonattainment-deferred EAC Area for
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS
expanded the Triad Area to include the
entire county of Davie, and Alamance,
1 An EAC is an agreement between a State, local
governments and EPA to implement measures not
necessarily required by the Act in order to achieve
cleaner air as soon as possible. The program was
designed for areas that approach or monitor
exceedances of the 8-hour ozone standard, but are
in attainment for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
E:\FR\FM\24JAR1.SGM
24JAR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4079-4082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01382]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 121
Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products;
Postponement of Implementation Date
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Final rule; postponement of implementation date.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document announces the postponement of the implementation
date for the revised service standards for market-dominant mail
products that were scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2014, as
part of the Network Rationalization initiative. The new implementation
date will be announced by the Postal Service in the Federal Register at
least 90 days before it takes effect.
DATES: Effective date: January 24, 2014. Please see Supplementary
Information concerning postponement of implementation date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Williams, Network Operations, at
202-268-4305.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 21, 2011, the Postal Service published an advance
notice of proposed rulemaking (the Advance Notice) in the Federal
Register to solicit public comment on a conceptual
[[Page 4080]]
proposal to revise service standards for market-dominant products.\1\
After considering comments received in response to the Advance Notice,
the Postal Service determined to develop the concept into a concrete
proposal, termed Network Rationalization. The basic logic of Network
Rationalization is that falling mail volumes and the resultant excess
capacity in the Postal Service's mail processing network necessitate a
major consolidation of the network, and this task in turn is contingent
on revisions to service standards, particularly the overnight standard
for First-Class Mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail,
Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR 58433 (Sept. 21, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On December 5, 2011, the Postal Service submitted a request to the
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for an advisory opinion on the
service changes associated with Network Rationalization, in accordance
with 39 U.S.C. 3661(b).\2\ On December 15, 2011, the Postal Service
published proposed revisions to its market-dominant service standards
in the Federal Register and sought public comment (the Proposed
Rulemaking).\3\ The comment period for the Proposed Rulemaking closed
on February 13, 2012. The final rule was published on May 25, 2012.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ PRC Docket No. N2012-1, Request of the United States Postal
Service for an Advisory Opinion on Changes in the Nature of Postal
Services (Dec. 5, 2011). Documents pertaining to the Request are
available at the PRC Web site, https://www.prc.gov.
\3\ Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products, 76 FR
77942 (Dec. 15, 2011).
\4\ Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products,
77 FR 31190 (May 25, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having considered public input and the results of its market
research, the Postal Service decided to implement Network
Rationalization in a phased manner. The service standard changes
associated with the first phase of Network Rationalization became
effective on July 1, 2012.\5\ This document announces the Postal
Service's decision to postpone the second phase of Network
Rationalization, and the corresponding service standard changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Postal Service's market-dominant service standards are
contained in 39 CFR part 121. This document revises the service
standards by announcing the postponement of the implementation date for
the service standards scheduled to become effective on February 1,
2014, and establishing the continuation of service standards currently
in effect. This revision is applied by replacing ``February 1, 2014''
with ``the effective date identified by the Postal Service in a future
Federal Register document'' each place where ``February 1, 2014''
appears in the current version of 39 CFR part 121, and in Appendix A to
that part.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 121
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal
Service adopts the following revisions to 39 CFR part 121:
PART 121--SERVICE STANDARDS FOR MARKET DOMINANT MAIL PRODUCTS
0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 121 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 1001, 3691.
0
2. Section 121.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to read
as follows:
Sec. 121.1 First-Class Mail.
(a)(1) Until the effective date identified by the Postal Service in
a future Federal Register document, a 1-day (overnight) service
standard is applied to intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) domestic
First-Class Mail[supreg] pieces properly accepted before the day-zero
Critical Entry Time (CET), except for mail between Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands, mail between American Samoa and Hawaii, and mail
destined to the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or
designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through
99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
(2) On and after the effective date identified by the Postal
Service in a future Federal Register document, a 1-day (overnight)
service standard is applied to intra-SCF domestic Presort First-Class
Mail pieces properly accepted at the SCF before the day-zero CET,
except for mail between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
mail destined to American Samoa and the following 3-digit ZIP Code
areas in Alaska (or designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP
Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
(b)(1) Until the effective date identified by the Postal Service in
a future Federal Register document, a 2-day service standard is applied
to inter-SCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before
the day-zero CET if the drive time between the origin Processing &
Distribution Center or Facility (P&DC/F) and destination Area
Distribution Center (ADC) is 6 hours or less; or if the origin and
destination are separately in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands;
or if the origin or destination is in American Samoa or one of the
following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions
thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998,
and 999.
(2) On and after the effective date identified by the Postal
Service in a future Federal Register document, a 2-day service standard
is applied to inter-SCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly
accepted before the day-zero CET if the drive time between the origin
P&DC/F and destination SCF is 6 hours or less; or if the origin and
destination are separately in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands;
or if the origin or destination is in American Samoa or one of the
following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions
thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998,
and 999.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 121.2 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
Sec. 121.2 Periodicals.
(a) End-to-End.
(1)(i) Until the effective date identified by the Postal Service in
a future Federal Register document, a 2- to 4-day service standard is
applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero
Critical Entry Time (CET) and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for
surface transportation (as per the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)), with
the standard specifically equaling the sum of 1 day plus the applicable
First-Class Mail service standard;
(ii) On and after the effective date identified by the Postal
Service in a future Federal Register document, a 3- to 4-day service
standard is applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the
day-zero CET and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for surface
transportation (as per the DMM), with the standard specifically
equaling the sum of 1 day plus the applicable First-Class Mail service
standard.
* * * * *
0
4. Appendix A to Part 121 is amended by revising the introductory text
and Tables 1 through 4 to read as follows:
Appendix A to Part 121--Tables Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges
The following tables reflect the service standard day ranges
resulting from the application of the business rules applicable to
the market-dominant mail products referenced in Sec. Sec. 121.1
through 121.4:
Table 1. Prior to the effective date identified by the Postal
Service in a future Federal Register document, end-to-end service
standard day ranges for mail originating and destinating within the
[[Page 4081]]
contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Contiguous United States
------------------------------------------------------------------------
End-to-end
Mail class range (days)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail........................................ 1-3
Periodicals............................................. 2-9
Standard Mail........................................... 3-10
Package Services........................................ 2-8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2. On and after the effective date identified by the
Postal Service in a future Federal Register document, end-to-end
service standard day ranges for mail originating and destinating
within the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Contiguous United States
------------------------------------------------------------------------
End-to-end
Mail class range (days)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail........................................ 1-3
Periodicals............................................. 3-9
Standard Mail........................................... 3-10
Package Services........................................ 2-8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3. Prior to the effective date identified by the Postal
Service in a future Federal Register document, end-to-end service
standard day ranges for mail originating and/or destinating in non-
contiguous states and territories.
Non-Contiguous States and Territories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End-to-end
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intra state/territory To/from contiguous 48 states To/from states of Alaska and
------------------------------------------------------------------ Hawaii, and the territories of
Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Mail class Virgin Islands
Hawaii, Puerto Hawaii, Puerto --------------------------------
Alaska Guam & Rico & Alaska Guam, & Rico & Hawaii,
American USVI American USVI Guam, & Puerto
Samoa Samoa Alaska American Rico &
Samoa USVI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail..................................... 1-3 1-3 1-2 3-4 3-5 3-4 4-5 4-5 4-5
Periodicals.......................................... 2-4 2-4 2-3 13-19 12-22 11-16 21-25 21-26 23-26
Standard Mail........................................ 3-5 3-5 3-4 14-20 13-23 12-17 23-26 23-27 24-27
Package Services..................................... * 2-4 2-4 2-3 12-18 11-21 10-15 21-26 20-26 20-24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Excluding bypass mail.
Table 4. On and after the effective date identified by the
Postal Service in a future Federal Register document, end-to-end
service standard day ranges for mail originating and/or destinating
in non-contiguous states and territories.
Non-Contiguous States and Territories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End-to-end
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intra state/territory To/from contiguous 48 states To/from states of Alaska and
------------------------------------------------------------------ Hawaii, and the territories of
Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Mail class Virgin Islands
Hawaii, Puerto Hawaii, Puerto --------------------------------
Alaska Guam & Rico & Alaska Guam, & Rico & Hawaii,
American USVI American USVI Guam, & Puerto
Samoa Samoa Alaska American Rico &
Samoa USVI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail..................................... 1-3 1-3 1-2 3-4 3-5 3-4 4-5 4-5 4-5
Periodicals.......................................... 3-4 3-4 3 13-19 12-22 11-16 21-25 21-26 23-26
Standard Mail........................................ 3-5 3-5 3-4 14-20 13-23 12-17 23-26 23-27 24-27
Package Services..................................... * 2-4 2-4 2-3 12-18 11-21 10-15 21-26 20-26 20-24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Excluding bypass mail.
[[Page 4082]]
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2014-01382 Filed 1-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P