[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 93 (Friday, May 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 27375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11467]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. PI2010-3; Order No. 456]


Postal Rate Case Management

AGENCY:  Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:  Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  The Commission is seeking comments relevant to management of 
an anticipated exigent postal rate case. It has scheduled a technical 
conference for a public discussion based on the submissions.

DATES:  Comments are due: June 9, 2010; technical conference will be 
held: June 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their 
views electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on 
alternatives to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
202-789-6820 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Public Representative
III. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On March 2, 2010, Postmaster General John E. Potter outlined 
elements of a business plan designed to close a projected gap between 
Postal Service revenues and costs.\1\ Included in the plan was a 
reference to a possible ``modest exigent rate increase'' to be 
effective in 2011. Id. The term ``exigent rate increase'' is commonly 
used to refer to rate adjustments that are due to extraordinary or 
exceptional circumstances. Such rate adjustments are expressly 
authorized by 39 U.S.C. 3622(d)(1)(E).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Press Release No. 10-018, United States Postal Service, 
Postal Service Outlines 10-Year Plan to Address Declining Revenues, 
Volumes (March 2, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following the issuance of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement 
Act (PAEA), Pub. L. 109-435, 120 Stat. 3218 (2006), the Commission 
adopted new rules that establish procedures for handling exigent rate 
cases. Docket No. RM2007-1, October 29, 2007 (Order No. 43). Those new 
rules (Exigent Rate Case Rules) are contained in subpart E of part 3010 
of the Commission's regulations. 39 CFR part 3010, subpart E.
    If filed, the potential exigent rate case referred to by the 
Postmaster General would be the first exigent rate case received by the 
Commission since passage of the PAEA. While the Commission is confident 
that its Exigent Rate Case Rules will provide an effective procedural 
framework for consideration of the currently anticipated case, the 
Commission believes that it would be prudent to give all interested 
parties an opportunity to explore and discuss procedural considerations 
unique to exigent rate cases before the Postal Service files such a 
case. This belief is grounded in part on the fact that section 
3622(d)(1)(E) requires the Commission to issue a decision within 90 
days after the Postal Service's filing. Advance consideration of the 
unique procedural aspects of the proposed exigent rate case may permit 
early identification of solutions to any potential issues that might 
otherwise complicate fair and meaningful participation by interested 
persons.
    In light of the foregoing considerations, a technical conference is 
scheduled for June 16, 2010, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the 
Commission's hearing room. The purpose of the conference is to give 
interested persons the opportunity to discuss procedures for managing 
the Postal Service's currently anticipated exigent rate case. The 
proceedings will be transcribed, and a copy of the transcript will be 
posted on the Commission's website. Further procedures are under 
consideration and may be announced by further public notice. Finally, 
the Commission invites interested persons to file proposed topics for 
discussion at the conference not later than June 9, 2010.

II. Public Representative

    Section 505 of title 39 requires the designation of an officer of 
the Commission in all public proceedings to represent the interests of 
the general public. The Commission hereby designates James Waclawski as 
Public Representative in this proceeding.

III. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. Docket No. PI2010-3 is established for the purpose of 
facilitating discussion of and obtaining views on, procedural matters 
pertaining to rate adjustments proposed to meet exigent circumstances 
under part 3010, subpart E of the commission's rules of practice.
    2. A technical conference will be held June 16, 2010, beginning at 
10:00 a.m. in the Commission's hearing room to discuss issues related 
to the matters that are the subject of this proceeding.
    3. Interested persons may sunbmit proposed topics for discussion on 
or before June 9, 2010.
    4. James Waclawski is designated as the Public Representative to 
represent the interests of the general public in this docket.
    5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-11467 Filed 5-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-S