[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 93 (Friday, May 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 27375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11467]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. PI2010-3; Order No. 456]
Postal Rate Case Management
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is seeking comments relevant to management of
an anticipated exigent postal rate case. It has scheduled a technical
conference for a public discussion based on the submissions.
DATES: Comments are due: June 9, 2010; technical conference will be
held: June 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at http://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 [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Public Representative
III. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On March 2, 2010, Postmaster General John E. Potter outlined
elements of a business plan designed to close a projected gap between
Postal Service revenues and costs.\1\ Included in the plan was a
reference to a possible ``modest exigent rate increase'' to be
effective in 2011. Id. The term ``exigent rate increase'' is commonly
used to refer to rate adjustments that are due to extraordinary or
exceptional circumstances. Such rate adjustments are expressly
authorized by 39 U.S.C. 3622(d)(1)(E).
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\1\ Press Release No. 10-018, United States Postal Service,
Postal Service Outlines 10-Year Plan to Address Declining Revenues,
Volumes (March 2, 2010).
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Following the issuance of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement
Act (PAEA), Pub. L. 109-435, 120 Stat. 3218 (2006), the Commission
adopted new rules that establish procedures for handling exigent rate
cases. Docket No. RM2007-1, October 29, 2007 (Order No. 43). Those new
rules (Exigent Rate Case Rules) are contained in subpart E of part 3010
of the Commission's regulations. 39 CFR part 3010, subpart E.
If filed, the potential exigent rate case referred to by the
Postmaster General would be the first exigent rate case received by the
Commission since passage of the PAEA. While the Commission is confident
that its Exigent Rate Case Rules will provide an effective procedural
framework for consideration of the currently anticipated case, the
Commission believes that it would be prudent to give all interested
parties an opportunity to explore and discuss procedural considerations
unique to exigent rate cases before the Postal Service files such a
case. This belief is grounded in part on the fact that section
3622(d)(1)(E) requires the Commission to issue a decision within 90
days after the Postal Service's filing. Advance consideration of the
unique procedural aspects of the proposed exigent rate case may permit
early identification of solutions to any potential issues that might
otherwise complicate fair and meaningful participation by interested
persons.
In light of the foregoing considerations, a technical conference is
scheduled for June 16, 2010, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the
Commission's hearing room. The purpose of the conference is to give
interested persons the opportunity to discuss procedures for managing
the Postal Service's currently anticipated exigent rate case. The
proceedings will be transcribed, and a copy of the transcript will be
posted on the Commission's website. Further procedures are under
consideration and may be announced by further public notice. Finally,
the Commission invites interested persons to file proposed topics for
discussion at the conference not later than June 9, 2010.
II. Public Representative
Section 505 of title 39 requires the designation of an officer of
the Commission in all public proceedings to represent the interests of
the general public. The Commission hereby designates James Waclawski as
Public Representative in this proceeding.
III. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. Docket No. PI2010-3 is established for the purpose of
facilitating discussion of and obtaining views on, procedural matters
pertaining to rate adjustments proposed to meet exigent circumstances
under part 3010, subpart E of the commission's rules of practice.
2. A technical conference will be held June 16, 2010, beginning at
10:00 a.m. in the Commission's hearing room to discuss issues related
to the matters that are the subject of this proceeding.
3. Interested persons may sunbmit proposed topics for discussion on
or before June 9, 2010.
4. James Waclawski is designated as the Public Representative to
represent the interests of the general public in this docket.
5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the
Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-11467 Filed 5-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-S