[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30211-30212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12625]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2011-25; Order No. 732]


Product List Transfer

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
request to transfer Post Office Box Service at 6800 locations from the 
market dominant product list to the competitive product list. The 
affected locations comprise almost 44 percent of all post office boxes 
used by customers. This notice briefly describe the proposal, invites 
comments from interested persons, and takes related administrative 
steps.

DATES: Comments are due: June 10, 2011; reply comments are due: June 
17, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically by accessing the ``Filing 
Online'' link in the banner at the top of the Commission's Web site 
(http://www.prc.gov) or by directly accessing the Commission's Filing 
Online system at https://www.prc.gov/prc-pages/filing-online/login.aspx. Commenters who cannot submit their views electronically 
should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section as the source for case-related information for advice 
on alternatives to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
at 202-789-6820 (case-related information) or [email protected] 
(electronic filing assistance).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Notice of Filing
III. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Background

    On May 13, 2011, the Postal Service filed a request under 39 U.S.C. 
3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq. to transfer Post Office Box (P.O. Box) 
Service at selected locations from the market dominant to the 
competitive product list.\1\
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    \1\ Request of the United States Postal Service to Transfer Post 
Office Box Service in Selected Locations to the Competitive Product 
List, May 13, 2011 (Request).
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    In Order No. 473, the Commission approved the Postal Service's 
request to add P.O. Box Service as a new competitive product and 
transfer a small segment of P.O. Box Service locations to the 
competitive product list.\2\ The Postal Service noted that it was 
evaluating all P.O. Box Service locations and may

[[Page 30212]]

propose additional transfers if justified. Id. at 3.
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    \2\ Docket No. MC2010-20, Order Approving Request to Transfer 
Selected Post Office Box Service Locations to the Competitive 
Product List, June 17, 2010, at 15 (Order No. 473).
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    Having completed its evaluation, the Postal Service asks the 
Commission to transfer P.O. Box Service at approximately 6,800 
locations from the market dominant to the competitive product list. 
Request at 1. These locations comprise approximately one-fifth of all 
P.O. Box Service locations and almost 44 percent of all post office 
boxes used by customers. Id. at 1-2. If the Commission approves the 
Request, almost 49 percent of all post office boxes would be classified 
as competitive, excluding Group E boxes. Id. at 2 n.5.
    The Postal Service selected the 6,800 locations based on whether 
its customers have sufficient access to private mailbox service 
providers. Id. at 2. In general, these locations serve customers who 
live within five miles of a current or recent private mailbox service 
provider. Id., Attachment B at 4-5; Attachment C. The Postal Service 
excluded those P.O. Box Service locations that restrict customer access 
or have a small customer base.\3\ Id., Attachment B at 5-6. Those 
locations will remain on the market dominant product list despite their 
proximity to a private mailbox service provider. Id., Attachment B at 
10.
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    \3\ For business reasons, the Postal Service excluded from the 
proposed transfer all locations with 250 or fewer post office box 
customers. Request, Attachment B at 6. However, the proposed Mail 
Classification Schedule (MCS) language refers to a ``small customer 
base'' without a specific definition. Id., Attachment C. The Postal 
Service explains that it needs flexibility in the MCS language to 
prevent P.O. Box Service locations from switching back and forth 
between the market dominant and competitive product lists if the 
number of post office boxes exceeds or falls below 250. Id., 
Attachment B at 10 n.14.
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    The Postal Service notes that it may ask the Commission to transfer 
other P.O. Box Service locations in the future as it studies the 
mailbox service market. Id. at 2.
    To support its Request, the Postal Service filed the following 
attachments:
     Attachment A--Resolution of the Governors of the United 
States Postal Service on Transferring Selected Post Office Box Service 
Locations to the Competitive Product List, May 10, 2011 (Resolution No. 
11-8);
     Attachment B--Statement of Supporting Justification; and
     Attachment C--Proposed MCS Changes.

II. Notice of Filing

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2011-25 to consider the 
Postal Service's proposals described in its Request.
    Interested persons may submit comments on whether the Request is 
consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq., 
and the general provisions of title 39. Comments are due by June 10, 
2011. Reply comments are due by June 17, 2011. The Request and related 
filings are available on the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov). The Commission encourages interested persons to review 
the Request for further details.
    The Commission appoints Tracy N. Ferguson to serve as Public 
Representative in this proceeding.

III. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2011-25 to consider the 
matters raised by the Postal Service's Request.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Tracy N. Ferguson is appointed to 
serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. Comments by interested persons are due by June 10, 2011.
    4. Reply comments are due by June 17, 2011.
    5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-12625 Filed 5-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P