[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51651-51652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14408]


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POSTAL RATE COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2006-7; Order No. 1476]


Stamped Stationery

AGENCY: Postal Rate Commission.

ACTION: Notice of new docket.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has determined that Stamped Stationery the 
Postal Service offers to the general public meets the definition of a 
``postal service.'' This order institutes a mail classification docket 
for the purpose of developing classification language and a fee 
schedule for Stamped Stationery. Conducting this docket will allow 
interested persons to participate in developing appropriate 
classification provisions and fees.

DATES: Deadline for the Postal Service to file a request to establish 
the stamped stationery classification or, in the absence of a request, 
date for termination of docket: February 26, 2007; deadline for notices 
of intervention: March 26, 2007 (28 days after filing of Request).

ADDRESSES: File all documents referred to in this order electronically 
via the Commission's Filing Online system at http://www.prc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that pursuant to 39 
U.S.C. 3623(b), the Commission is instituting a mail classification 
case for the purpose of receiving a Request from the Postal Service for 
a recommended decision establishing a classification and fee schedule 
for Stamped Stationery.
    In Order No. 1475, issued contemporaneously herewith, the 
Commission held Stamped Stationery to be a postal service.\1\ As 
explained in that order, the Commission found maintaining the status 
quo for a brief interim period to be in the public interest. Id. at 12, 
et seq. This approach provides the Postal Service a reasonable interval 
to prepare its Request without disrupting the Stamped Stationery market 
or causing the Postal Service to incur any costs that might be 
occasioned by withdrawal of the product.
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    \1\ PRC Order No. 1475, Docket No. C2004-3, August 24, 2006.
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    Although its qualities, including design and purpose, make it a 
postal service, Stamped Stationery is, nonetheless, a specialty item, 
which, among other things, no mailer is required to purchase. Under the 
circumstances, a novel pricing approach may be warranted for Stamped 
Stationery.
    By signaling a willingness to consider a novel pricing approach, 
the Commission hopes to encourage the Postal Service and interested 
persons to consider innovative rate designs suitable for this specialty 
product. See

[[Page 51652]]

id. at 13-15. In Docket No. C2004-3, pleadings addressed fee levels for 
Stamped Stationery. Although those arguments were not germane to the 
jurisdictional issue, they appear, at least at first blush, to be 
somewhat problematic. Consequently, in suggesting that a creative 
pricing approach may be appropriate, the Commission hopes to focus 
interested persons on the challenge at hand and perhaps to temper rote 
reliance on any preconceived fee structures.
    The Commission's observations may also have the salutary effect of 
encouraging discussion among interested parties concerning an 
acceptable fee structure. With the threshold issue resolved, this 
possibility would not appear to be an unobtainable goal. It may, 
however, prove to be elusive. This guidance simply reflects the 
Commission's preliminary views. It is not intended to limit any 
interested persons' option, and participants remain free to present 
evidence and argument as they wish.
    To facilitate discussions among interested persons the Commission 
will allow notices of intervention to be filed in this proceeding. 
Intervention, at this stage, will permit intervenors, including the 
Office of the Consumer Advocate, to participate in any pre-or post-
filing conference the Postal Service may wish to convene. To the extent 
such conference(s) may be convened, any such discussions would be 
deemed privileged in any proceeding before the Commission.
    Sunset date. To ensure this docket proceeds in an orderly fashion, 
the Commission establishes a due date for the filing of a request of 
February 26, 2007. Absent a request or other filing related thereto 
filed on or before that date, this docket will terminate and be 
considered withdrawn as of February 26, 2007.
    Representation of the general public. In conformance with section 
3624(a) of title 39, the Commission designates Shelley S. Dreifuss, 
director of the Commission's Office of the Consumer Advocate, to 
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. 
Pursuant to this designation, Ms. Dreifuss will direct the activities 
of Commission personnel assigned to assist her and, upon request, will 
supply their names for the record. Neither Ms. Dreifuss nor any of the 
assigned personnel will participate in or provide advice on any 
Commission decision in this proceeding.

Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2006-7 for the purpose 
of receiving a request from the Postal Service for a recommended 
decision establishing a classification and fee schedule for Stamped 
Stationery.
    2. The Commission will sit en banc in this proceeding.
    3. Notices of intervention are due no later than 28 days following 
the submission of the Postal Service Request.
    4. Shelley S. Dreifuss, director of the Commission's Office of the 
Consumer Advocate, is designated to represent the interests of the 
general public.
    5. The due date for filing a request to establish the Stamped 
Stationery classification in this proceeding is February 26, 2007.
    6. Absent a request or other filing related thereto filed on or 
before February 26, 2007, this docket will terminate and be considered 
withdrawn as of February 26, 2007.
    7. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this document in 
the Federal Register.


    Dated: August 25, 2006.

    By the Commission.
Steven W. Williams,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-14408 Filed 8-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P