Periodic Reporting, 13601-13602 [2020-04715]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 46 / Monday, March 9, 2020 / Proposed Rules L54, L55, and L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023–1– 001–01, Rev. 1. Paragraph L54 pertains to promulgation of regulations that are editorial or procedural; paragraph L55 pertains to internal agency functions; and paragraph L61 pertains to special local regulations issued in conjunction with a regatta or marine parade. This proposed rule would revise general rulemaking regulations and also amend the field regulations for the Ninth, Thirteenth, and Seventeenth Coast Guard Districts by incorporating updates and clarifications to existing regulatory text in 33 CFR parts 100 and 165. These proposed regulation changes were identified as part of the Coast Guard’s deregulation identification process required by Executive Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs), and Executive Order 13777 (Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda Deregulatory Process), and associated guidance issued in 2017. All of the proposed changes are consistent with the Coast Guard’s maritime safety and stewardship missions. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact associated with this proposed rule. List of Subjects 33 CFR Part 100 Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Waterways. 33 CFR Part 165 Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Coast Guard is proposing to amend 33 CFR parts 100 and 165 as follows: 1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows: Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05– 1. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS [Removed] 2. Remove § 100.905. § 100.1308 ■ PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS 4. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows: ■ 17:29 Mar 06, 2020 5. Amend § 165.7 by removing paragraph (c). ■ § 165.1709 ■ [Removed] 6. Remove § 165.1709. Dated: March 3, 2020. R.V. Timme, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy. [FR Doc. 2020–04735 Filed 3–6–20; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3050 [Docket No. RM2020–6; Order No. 5445] Periodic Reporting Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is acknowledging a recent filing requesting the Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to periodic reports (Proposal One). This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: April 2, 2020. SUMMARY: 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. ADDRESSES: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Proposal One III. Notice and Comment IV. Ordering Paragraphs reports.1 The Petition identifies the proposed analytical changes filed in this docket as Proposal One. II. Proposal One Background. Proposal One would change the revenue, pieces, and weight (RPW) reporting methodology ‘‘for measuring the national totals of noncontract mailpieces in domestic parcel mail categories bearing PC Postage indicia from postage evidencing systems.’’ Petition, Proposal One at 1. The current RPW methodology for such mail activity uses several census sources combined with statistical elements from the Origin-Destination Information System—Revenue, Pieces, and Weight (ODIS–RPW) probability sampling system. Id. at 1, 3. Proposal One would replace the ODIS–RPW statistical sampling estimates with corresponding census transactional data. Id. at 1. The Postal Service lists several requests the Commission has approved for replacing statistical estimates with census data. Id. at 1–2. Mailers may pay for and print postage using PC Postage, a third-party vendor software approved by the Postal Service. Id. at 2. The Postal Service explains that customers use postage evidencing systems, which consist of postage meters and PC Postage products, to print evidence that required postage has been paid. Id. To indicate postage payment, postage evidencing systems print informationbased indicia (IBI), which mailers place on a mailpiece or a label affixed to a mailpiece. Id. The National Meter Account Tracking System (NMATS) records PC Postage payment transactions. Id. The Postal Service runs an Automated Package Verification (APV) system using barcode data, in-line scales, and dimensional scanners on parcel sorters to compare PC Postage transaction information with packages run through the APV. Id. Based on this comparison, the Postal Service either charges customers’ accounts for underpaid mailpieces or credits postage for overpaid mailpieces. Id. Proposal. Proposal One ‘‘would switch reporting of PC Postage domestic parcel mail categories from sample data provided by the ODIS–RPW sampling system to corresponding census data provided by PC Postage transactional data housed in NMATS.’’ Id. at 4. Under I. Introduction [Removed] 3. Remove § 100.1308. VerDate Sep<11>2014 [Amended] David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ■ ■ § 165.7 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS § 100.905 Authority: 46 U.S.C.70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 13601 Jkt 250001 On February 28, 2020, the Postal Service filed a petition pursuant to 39 CFR 3050.11 requesting that the Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to periodic PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 1 Petition of the United States Postal Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal One), February 28, 2020 (Petition). The Postal Service filed a notice of filing of non-public materials relating to Proposal One. Notice of Filing of USPS– RM2020–6/NP1 and Application for Nonpublic Treatment, February 28, 2020. E:\FR\FM\09MRP1.SGM 09MRP1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS 13602 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 46 / Monday, March 9, 2020 / Proposed Rules the current RPW methodology, ‘‘ODIS– RPW data collectors record a PC Postage mailpiece as IBI and indicate the specific PC Postage manufacturer.’’ Id. at 3. The Postal Service describes several limitations with the current methodology. Id. at 4. ODIS–RPW is a statistical sampling system producing point estimates with sampling errors, and ODIS–RPW tests may cause unintended errors in mail sampling and in recording data elements observed. Id. ODIS–RPW is unable to report on or adjust for underpaid and overpaid mail. Id. By contrast, the proposed methodology uses census transaction data that are not subject to sampling error and would likely produce the same or better data quality. Id. The Postal Service proposes to replace the ODIS–RPW sampling system (current methodology) with census transaction data (proposed methodology) no earlier than FY 2020, Quarter 3 to allow for full implementation of changes to the APV system that become effective on April 1, 2020. Id. at 4–5. It states that the proposed methodology ‘‘provides a complete census source of transactionallevel data for PC Postage domestic mailpieces and makes appropriate APV adjustments at the record level.’’ Id. at 5. Impact. To demonstrate the impact of the proposed methodology, the Postal Service submitted a report comparing FY 2019 RPW results using both the current methodology and proposed methodology.2 This report shows differences by major mail category if the proposed methodology replaced the current methodology in FY 2019. Id. at 6. For First-Class Package Service as well as Media and Library Mail, both revenue and volume would have increased. Id. For USPS Retail Ground and Priority Mail, both revenue and volume would have decreased. Id. For FY 2019, total mail volume would have increased by 0.1 percent, total pounds would have increased by 0.3 percent, and total revenue would have remained unchanged because the RPW report is tied to the Accounting Trial Balance. Id. The Postal Service explains that the differences in the report ‘‘are mainly due to differences in manual data collection (current methodology) compared to postage payment data (proposed methodology).’’ Id. It notes that the differences in the report would not have been as large if the APV system were fully implemented at the beginning of FY 2019. Id. The Postal Service concludes that the proposed methodology change ‘‘will result in the improved reporting of PC Postage non-contract revenue and volume both in terms of the level and measures of precision.’’ Id. at 7. It adds that the proposed methodology change ‘‘will also allow for more granularity in the underlying report data.’’ Id. III. Notice and Comment The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2020–6 for consideration of matters raised by the Petition. More information on the Petition may be accessed via the Commission’s website at https://www.prc.gov. Interested persons may submit comments on the Petition and Proposal One no later than April 2, 2020. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Jennaca D. Upperman is designated as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. IV. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2020–6 for consideration of the matters raised by the Petition of the United States Postal Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal One), filed February 28, 2020. 2. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no later than April 2, 2020. 3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Jennaca D. Upperman to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this docket. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Erica A. Barker, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–04715 Filed 3–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P 2 Id. at 5; see id. Attachment A. The Postal Service separately filed under seal as Library Reference USPS–RM2020–6/NP1 a non-public version of Attachment A that disaggregates data pertaining to Competitive products. Petition, Proposal One at 5 n.1. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:29 Mar 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R03–OAR–2017–0615; FRL–10006– 16–Region 3] Supplemental Information and Data for the Indiana, Pennsylvania Nonattainment Area for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard; Notice of Data Availability (NODA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of data availability; request for public comment. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of new modeling, meteorological and emissions information and data contained in a package submitted to EPA by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 5, 2020 in support of the Indiana, Pennsylvania state implementation plan (SIP, or Attainment Plan) for the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA will be evaluating this information as well as any public comments received to take final action on the Attainment Plan. The modeling and large data files submitted are not provided in the docket but are available upon request by contacting the person named in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 8, 2020. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03– OAR–2017–0615 at https:// www.regulations.gov, or via email to spielberger.susan@epa.gov. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\09MRP1.SGM 09MRP1

Agencies

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 46 (Monday, March 9, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13601-13602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04715]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3050

[Docket No. RM2020-6; Order No. 5445]


Periodic Reporting

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is acknowledging a recent filing requesting the 
Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to 
analytical principles relating to periodic reports (Proposal One). This 
document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and 
takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: April 2, 2020.

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: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Proposal One
III. Notice and Comment
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On February 28, 2020, the Postal Service filed a petition pursuant 
to 39 CFR 3050.11 requesting that the Commission initiate a rulemaking 
proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to 
periodic reports.\1\ The Petition identifies the proposed analytical 
changes filed in this docket as Proposal One.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Petition of the United States Postal Service for the 
Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in 
Analytical Principles (Proposal One), February 28, 2020 (Petition). 
The Postal Service filed a notice of filing of non-public materials 
relating to Proposal One. Notice of Filing of USPS-RM2020-6/NP1 and 
Application for Nonpublic Treatment, February 28, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Proposal One

    Background. Proposal One would change the revenue, pieces, and 
weight (RPW) reporting methodology ``for measuring the national totals 
of non-contract mailpieces in domestic parcel mail categories bearing 
PC Postage indicia from postage evidencing systems.'' Petition, 
Proposal One at 1. The current RPW methodology for such mail activity 
uses several census sources combined with statistical elements from the 
Origin-Destination Information System--Revenue, Pieces, and Weight 
(ODIS-RPW) probability sampling system. Id. at 1, 3. Proposal One would 
replace the ODIS-RPW statistical sampling estimates with corresponding 
census transactional data. Id. at 1.
    The Postal Service lists several requests the Commission has 
approved for replacing statistical estimates with census data. Id. at 
1-2. Mailers may pay for and print postage using PC Postage, a third-
party vendor software approved by the Postal Service. Id. at 2. The 
Postal Service explains that customers use postage evidencing systems, 
which consist of postage meters and PC Postage products, to print 
evidence that required postage has been paid. Id. To indicate postage 
payment, postage evidencing systems print information-based indicia 
(IBI), which mailers place on a mailpiece or a label affixed to a 
mailpiece. Id. The National Meter Account Tracking System (NMATS) 
records PC Postage payment transactions. Id.
    The Postal Service runs an Automated Package Verification (APV) 
system using barcode data, in-line scales, and dimensional scanners on 
parcel sorters to compare PC Postage transaction information with 
packages run through the APV. Id. Based on this comparison, the Postal 
Service either charges customers' accounts for underpaid mailpieces or 
credits postage for overpaid mailpieces. Id.
    Proposal. Proposal One ``would switch reporting of PC Postage 
domestic parcel mail categories from sample data provided by the ODIS-
RPW sampling system to corresponding census data provided by PC Postage 
transactional data housed in NMATS.'' Id. at 4. Under

[[Page 13602]]

the current RPW methodology, ``ODIS-RPW data collectors record a PC 
Postage mailpiece as IBI and indicate the specific PC Postage 
manufacturer.'' Id. at 3. The Postal Service describes several 
limitations with the current methodology. Id. at 4. ODIS-RPW is a 
statistical sampling system producing point estimates with sampling 
errors, and ODIS-RPW tests may cause unintended errors in mail sampling 
and in recording data elements observed. Id. ODIS-RPW is unable to 
report on or adjust for underpaid and overpaid mail. Id. By contrast, 
the proposed methodology uses census transaction data that are not 
subject to sampling error and would likely produce the same or better 
data quality. Id.
    The Postal Service proposes to replace the ODIS-RPW sampling system 
(current methodology) with census transaction data (proposed 
methodology) no earlier than FY 2020, Quarter 3 to allow for full 
implementation of changes to the APV system that become effective on 
April 1, 2020. Id. at 4-5. It states that the proposed methodology 
``provides a complete census source of transactional-level data for PC 
Postage domestic mailpieces and makes appropriate APV adjustments at 
the record level.'' Id. at 5.
    Impact. To demonstrate the impact of the proposed methodology, the 
Postal Service submitted a report comparing FY 2019 RPW results using 
both the current methodology and proposed methodology.\2\ This report 
shows differences by major mail category if the proposed methodology 
replaced the current methodology in FY 2019. Id. at 6. For First-Class 
Package Service as well as Media and Library Mail, both revenue and 
volume would have increased. Id. For USPS Retail Ground and Priority 
Mail, both revenue and volume would have decreased. Id. For FY 2019, 
total mail volume would have increased by 0.1 percent, total pounds 
would have increased by 0.3 percent, and total revenue would have 
remained unchanged because the RPW report is tied to the Accounting 
Trial Balance. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Id. at 5; see id. Attachment A. The Postal Service 
separately filed under seal as Library Reference USPS-RM2020-6/NP1 a 
non-public version of Attachment A that disaggregates data 
pertaining to Competitive products. Petition, Proposal One at 5 n.1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Postal Service explains that the differences in the report 
``are mainly due to differences in manual data collection (current 
methodology) compared to postage payment data (proposed methodology).'' 
Id. It notes that the differences in the report would not have been as 
large if the APV system were fully implemented at the beginning of FY 
2019. Id.
    The Postal Service concludes that the proposed methodology change 
``will result in the improved reporting of PC Postage non-contract 
revenue and volume both in terms of the level and measures of 
precision.'' Id. at 7. It adds that the proposed methodology change 
``will also allow for more granularity in the underlying report data.'' 
Id.

III. Notice and Comment

    The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2020-6 for consideration of 
matters raised by the Petition. More information on the Petition may be 
accessed via the Commission's website at https://www.prc.gov. Interested 
persons may submit comments on the Petition and Proposal One no later 
than April 2, 2020. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Jennaca D. Upperman is 
designated as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2020-6 for consideration 
of the matters raised by the Petition of the United States Postal 
Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes 
in Analytical Principles (Proposal One), filed February 28, 2020.
    2. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than April 2, 2020.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Jennaca D. 
Upperman to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this docket.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-04715 Filed 3-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P

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