[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22157-22158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9543]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. R2011-5; Order No. 715]
Postal Service Rate Adjustment
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service
notice of rate and classification changes affecting First-Class Mail
presort and Standard Mail commercial letters and flats. The changes are
part of an anticipated summer promotion involving mobile barcodes on or
in mailpieces. This notice informs the public of the filing, addresses
preliminary procedural matters, and invites public comment.
DATES: Comments are due: May 2, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically by accessing the ``Filing
Online'' link in the banner at the top of the Commission's Web site
(http://www.prc.gov) or by directly accessing the Commission's Filing
Online system at https://www.prc.gov/prc-pages/filing-online/login.aspx. Commenters who cannot submit their views electronically
should contact the person identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section as the source for case-related information for advice on
alternatives to electronic filing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel,
at 202-789-6820 (case-related information) or [email protected]
(electronic filing assistance).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
II. Postal Service Filing
III. Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On April 12, 2011, the Postal Service filed a notice with the
Commission announcing its intention to adjust prices for First-Class
Mail presort and Standard Mail letters and flats pursuant to 39 U.S.C.
3622 and 39 CFR part 3010.\1\ The adjustment is a 3 percent discount,
from July 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011, for mailers of First-Class Mail
presort and Standard Mail commercial letters and flats that include a
mobile barcode inside or on the mailpieces. Notice at 1.
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\1\ United States Postal Service Notice of Market-Dominant Price
Adjustment, April 12, 2011 (Notice).
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II. Postal Service Filing
Incentive program. The Postal Service proposes a 3 percent discount
on First-Class Mail presort and Standard Mail commercial letters and
flats that include, in or on the mailpiece, a two dimensional barcode
readable by mobile smart phones. Id. at 2. The Postal Service notes
that nonprofit standard mailpieces are ineligible for the discount. Id.
The Postal Service requires that the barcode must be two
dimensional, and notes that one dimensional barcodes, though readable
by smart phones, are not eligible to receive the discount. Id. The
Postal Service requires that the barcode must be designed to ``initiate
interaction with consumers via mobile smart phones to market, promote,
or educate.'' Id. at 2-3.
The 3 percent discount may be combined with the full-service
intelligent mail barcode discount, but may not be combined with any
other incentive. Id. at 3.
Requirements of 39 CFR 3010. The Postal Service certifies that it
will, at least 45 days prior to implementation, inform customers of the
price adjustment as required by rule 3010.14(a)(3), by way of the
Notice, a press release, and publication in the Federal Register and
Postal Bulletin. Id. at 1-2. The Postal Service identifies Greg Dawson,
Manager of Pricing Strategy, as the official responsible for responding
to any Commission inquiries. Id. at 2.
Impact on the price cap. The Postal Service does not calculate the
cap implication of the discount as described in rule 3010.14(b)(1)
through (4). Id. at 3. The Postal Service states that excluding the
price cap calculation is consistent with other limited availability
discounts offered in the past. Id.
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 program ``[t]o a large extent * * * does
not substantially alter the degree to which First-Class Mail and
Standard Mail prices already address'' the objectives and factors. Id.
at 5-7. In particular, the Postal Service contends the program is an
example of the increased pricing flexibility under the Postal
Accountability and Enhancement Act (objective 4), and provides an
incentive for profitable new mail that will enhance the financial
position of the Postal Service (objective 5). Id. at 5. Similarly, the
Postal Service contends that the program encourages increased mail
volume (factor 7) and will not imperil the ability of First-Class Mail
or Standard Mail to cover its attributable costs (factor 2). Id. at
7.The Postal Service states that this program will not impact current
workshare discounts. Id. at 8. The Postal Service states that it does
not expect participation in the program to be of a magnitude that would
``cause a material impact on the differential between commercial and
nonprofit pieces in Standard Mail.'' Id.
Mail Classification Schedule (MCS). The Postal Service provides
proposed MCS language in Appendix A of its Notice. It outlines the
proposed changes in the MCS for the relevant products. Id. Appendix A.
III. Commission Action
The Commission establishes Docket No. R2011-5 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
[[Page 22158]]
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 May 2,
2011.
The Commission appoints Natalie Rea to represent the interests of
the general public in this proceeding.
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. R2011-5 to consider
matters raised by the Postal Service's April 12, 2011 filing.
2. Interested persons may submit comments on the planned price
adjustments. Comments are due May 2, 2011.
3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Natalie Rea is appointed to serve as
officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the
interests of the general public in this proceeding.
4. The Commission directs the Secretary to arrange for prompt
publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-9543 Filed 4-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P