[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 203 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 56819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27433]


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POSTAL RATE COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2000-1]


Technical and Settlement Conference; Meeting

AGENCY: Postal Rate Commission.

ACTION: Notice of technical and settlement conference.

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SUMMARY: An initial technical and settlement conference has been 
scheduled in docket no. MC2000-1. The conference will discuss potential 
settlement. It also will address diversion of mail, the accuracy of 
estimated net revenue effects, and the possibility, frequency, and 
level of detail of data collection during the experiment.

DATES: The technical and settlement conference has been scheduled for 
October 27, 1999. For time and other dates, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section.

ADDRESSES: The conference will be held in the Commission's hearing room 
at 1333 H Street, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20268-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted P. Gerarden, director of the 
Commission's Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA), at 202-789-6838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OCA hereby gives notice of a technical 
and settlement conference to discuss the request [for an experimental 
mail classification] filed on September 27, 1999, by the United States 
Postal Service (Postal Service). On September 30, 1999, the Commission 
issued a notice of the request and provided until October 25, 1999, for 
parties to file notices of intervention. The Commission also encouraged 
participants to explore settlement ``at the earliest opportunity 
following the deadline for intervention and, preferably, prior to the 
prehearing conference,'' which is scheduled for October 28 at 11 
a.m.\1\ Accordingly, OCA is scheduling a technical and settlement 
conference for October 27, 1999, at 2 p.m.
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    \1\ Order No. 1264, Notice and Order on Filing of Request for 
Establishment of Experimental ``Ride-Along'' Classification (and 
Flat Rate) for Periodicals. Ordering paragraphs 6 and 9 designated 
OCA to represent the interests of the general public and to act as 
settlement coordinator in this proceeding. 64 FR 54693-54695.
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    The Postal Service has expressed a desire for expedition.\2\ In 
that spirit, OCA has held informal discussions with the Postal Service 
better to understand the Service's proposal and to indicate questions 
of interest to OCA. It is desirable that other parties also utilize 
informal inquiry methods to define the issues, further the exchange of 
information and explanations between the Postal Service and the 
participants, and facilitate settlement.\3\ The Postal Service and 
other interested parties are requested to have individuals present at 
the conference who are familiar with the following issues: \4\
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    \2\ Motion of the United States Postal Service for Expedition 
and for Waiver of Certain Provisions of Rule 64(h), September 27, 
1999, at 2-4.
    \3\ In addition to informal methods, the Commission has 
authorized parties to conduct formal discovery upon intervention in 
the proceedings. Order No. 1264 at 11.
    \4\ Pending the outcome of settlement negotiations, OCA requests 
that the Commission treat this list of issues as fulfilling the 
requirements of paragraph 4 of Order No. 1264.
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    1. The extent of potential diversion of mail volume from Standard 
Mail (A) to the proposed ``ride-along'' classification.
    2. The accuracy of estimated net revenue effects of the proposed 
``Ride-Along'' classification.
    3. The possibility, frequency, and level of detail of reporting 
data during the course of the experiment.
    The informal technical and settlement conference will be held 
October 27, 1999, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Commission's hearing room 
at 1333 H St., NW., Washington, DC. All interested persons are welcome 
to attend the conference, but all such persons are placed on notice 
that attendance at the conference will not confer party status. Any 
interested person must file pursuant to Rule 20 or 20a of the 
Commission's rules in order to intervene or to obtain limited 
participation status in the proceeding.
    The Secretary of the Commission is requested to arrange for 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3623.

    Dated: October 15, 1999.
Margaret P. Crenshaw,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-27433 Filed 10-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P