[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 120 (Friday, June 22, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34424-34425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11939]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
39 CFR Part 3001
[Docket No. PI2007-1; Order No. 21]
Administrative Practice and Procedure, Postal Service
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Order and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Recent legislation alters the postal ratemaking process, and
tasks the Postal Regulatory Commission with developing regulations to
implement this process. This document invites public comment, in
advance of formulating substantive rule proposals, on establishing
service standards and performance measurement for market dominant
products.
DATES: Initial comments are due July 16, 2007; reply comments are due
July 30, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at http://www.prc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel,
202-789-6820 and [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory History, 72 FR 33261 (June 14,
2007).
I. Background
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, Public Law 109-435
(PAEA), directs that ``the Postal Service shall, in consultation with
the Postal Regulatory Commission, by regulation establish (and may from
time to time thereafter by regulation revise) a set of service
standards for market-dominant products.'' 39 U.S.C. 3691. It also
directs the establishment of performance measurements for market-
dominant products. 39 U.S.C. 3691(b)(1)(D), (b)(2). The statute
requires that these tasks be completed by December 20, 2007. Id. at
3691(a).
Prior to fulfilling its consultatory role under 39 U.S.C. 3691(a)
and its obligations under title III of the PAEA, the Postal Regulatory
Commission (Commission) is issuing this Public Inquiry to obtain public
comment on these topics. The Commission is establishing Docket No.
PI2007-1 for the purpose of receiving such comments. The Commission
intends to evaluate the comments received and use those suggestions to
help carry out its service standards and performance measurement
responsibilities under the PAEA. Docket PI2007-1 is established for the
purpose of obtaining a broad spectrum of opinion to inform Commission
consultation providing guidance to the Postal Service in connection
with the Commission's responsibilities regarding service standards and
performance measurement under the PAEA. Id.
Interested persons are invited to provide written comments and
suggestions on what the modern service standards should be and what
system or systems of performance measurement should be utilized to
evaluate whether those service standards have been met. Comments and
suggestions are due by July 16, 2007. All comments and suggestions
received will be available for review on the Commission's Web site,
http://www.prc.gov. Interested
[[Page 34425]]
persons are further invited to review these submissions and provide
replies, including follow-up comments and suggestions by July 30, 2007.
Commenters are requested to specifically explain how suggestions
will comport with the specific applicable statutory objectives and
factors as set out below.
A. Objectives
The modern service standards for market dominant products shall be
designed to meet the following objectives:
1. Enhance the value of postal services to both senders and
recipients;
2. Preserve regular and effective access to postal services in all
communities, including those in rural areas or where post offices are
not self-sustaining;
3. Reasonably assure Postal Service customers delivery reliability,
speed and frequency consistent with reasonable rates and best business
practices; and
4. Provide a system of objective external performance measurements
for each market dominant product as a basis for measurement of Postal
Service performance. (Note: An internal measurement system may be
implemented instead with the Commission's approval.)
B. Factors
The modern service standards for market dominant products shall
take into account the following factors:
1. The actual level of service that the Postal Service customers
receive under any service guidelines previously established;
2. The degree of customer satisfaction with Postal Service
performance in the acceptance, processing and delivery of mail;
3. The needs of Postal Service customers, including those with
physical impairments;
4. Mail volumes and revenues projected for future years;
5. The projected growth in the number of addresses the Postal
Service will be required to serve in future years;
6. The current and projected future cost of serving Postal Service
customers;
7. The effect of changes in technology, demographics, and
population distribution on the efficient and reliable operation of the
postal delivery system; and
8. The policies of title 39 and other factors as the Postal Service
determines are appropriate.
II. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. Docket No. PI2007-1 is established for the purpose of receiving
comments to provide guidance to the Postal Service in connection with
the Commission's obligations regarding service standards and
performance measurement.
2. Interested persons are invited to provide written comments and
suggestions on what the modern service standards should be and what
system or systems of performance measurement should be utilized to
evaluate whether those service standards have been met by July 16,
2007.
3. Reply comments also may be filed by July 30, 2007.
4. Kenneth E. Richardson, acting director of the Office of the
Consumer Advocate, is designated to represent the interests of the
general public in this docket.
5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this document in
the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Steven W. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-11939 Filed 6-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P