[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]


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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.

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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]
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