[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64362-64366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25761]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. R2013-1; Order No. 1501]


Postal Rate and Classification Changes

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 64363]]

SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
notice of annual price adjustments for all market dominant classes of 
mail. The adjustments include a one-cent increase in the price of 
First-Class Stamp (from 45 cents to 46 cents). The Postal Service is 
also planning to make mail classification changes. This notice 
addresses procedural steps associated with this filing and invites 
public comment.

DATES: Comments are due: October 31, 2012.

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 portion of the preamble for advice on 
alternatives to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
at 202-789-6824.

Table of Contents

I. Overview
II. Promotions
III. Summary of Price Changes by Class of Mail
IV. Preferred Mail and Worksharing Discounts
V. MCS Changes
VI. Administrative Actions
VII. Ordering Paragraphs

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Overview

A. Index-based Price Changes for Market Dominant Classes of Mail

    On October 11, 2012, the Postal Service filed notice, pursuant to 
39 U.S.C. 3622 and 39 CFR part 3010, of plans to adjust prices for 
market dominant products by amounts which, on average, are, with one 
exception, at or below the statutory price cap of 2.570 percent for 
each class of mail.\1\ The planned adjustments affect both domestic and 
international market dominant products and are scheduled to take effect 
January 27, 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ United States Postal Service Notice of Market-Dominant Price 
Adjustment at 3, October 11, 2012 (Adjustment Notice). The overall 
increase for Special Services is 2.850 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Postal Service states that it has inflation-based price 
adjustment authority of 2.570 percent based on the Consumer Price Index 
for All Urban Consumers, U.S. All Items (the ``CUUR0000SA0'') series 
(CPI-U). Id. The Postal Service also states that it has unused rate 
authority (as indicated in the following table) and will use some of 
this authority for Special Services. Id.

          Table 1--Available Unused Price Adjustment Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Unused
                 Market dominant class                    authority (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail.......................................           -0.530
Standard Mail..........................................           -0.380
Periodicals............................................           -0.562
Package Services.......................................           -0.533
Special Services.......................................            2.394
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id.
    The Postal Service asserts that it is authorized to raise prices 
for each class by the percentages in the following table.

              Table 2--Price Adjustment Authority by Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Price
                 Market dominant class                      adjustment
                                                          authority (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail.......................................            2.570
Standard Mail..........................................            2.570
Periodicals............................................            2.570
Package Services.......................................            2.570
Special Services.......................................            4.964
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id. at 4.

    The following table presents the Postal Service's planned 
percentage price changes by class.

             Table 3--2013 Price Change Percentage by Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Price change
                 Market dominant class                         (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail.......................................            2.570
Standard Mail..........................................            2.570
Periodicals............................................            2.560
Package Services.......................................            2.569
Special Services.......................................            2.850
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id. at 6.

    In some instances, price adjustments for products within classes 
vary from the average, sometimes substantially. Interested persons are 
encouraged to review the Adjustment Notice and workpapers for specific 
details.
    Unused authority after the 2013 price change. The following table 
identifies the unused price adjustment authority the Postal Service 
calculates as available following the 2013 price change.

Table 4--Unused Pricing Authority Available Following Docket No. R2013-1
                              Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Percentage
                         Class                                points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail:
  R2012-3..............................................           -0.530
  R2013-1..............................................            0.000
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
    Total..............................................           -0.530
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
Standard Mail:
  R2012-3..............................................           -0.380
  R2013-1..............................................            0.000
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
    Total..............................................           -0.380
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
Periodicals:
  R2012-3..............................................           -0.562
  R2013-1..............................................            0.010
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
    Total..............................................           -0.552
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
Package Services:
  R2012-3..............................................           -0.533
  R2013-1..............................................            0.001
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
    Total..............................................           -0.532
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
Special Services:
  R2012-3..............................................            2.394
  R2013-1..............................................           -0.280
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
    Total..............................................            2.114
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id. at 6-7.
    Classification changes. The Adjustment Notice identifies numerous 
substantive classification changes in a bulleted list. Id. at 54-55. 
Attachment A presents these changes as well as formatting and wording 
changes. Id. at 53-54.

B. Format and Content of Adjustment Notice

    The Adjustment Notice includes a brief introductory section, four 
parts, and four attachments.
    The introductory section of the Adjustment Notice includes a 
certification, in accordance with rule 3010.14(a)(3), that the Postal 
Service will provide widespread notice of the planned adjustments prior 
to the planned implementation date. Id. at 1. It identifies Greg Hall 
as the Postal Service official who will respond to queries from the 
Commission. Id. at 2.
    Part I discusses compliance with the price cap. Id. at 2-7. Part II 
describes several temporary promotions. It also discusses how a portion 
of the related revenue loss will be integrated into the price cap 
calculations for First-Class Mail and Standard Mail. Id. at 7-9. Part 
III discusses prices in more detail, including workshare discounts. It 
also addresses the consistency of prices with the objectives and 
factors of 39 U.S.C. 3622 and the preferential pricing requirements of 
39 U.S.C. 3626. Id. at 9-53. Part IV describes related Mail

[[Page 64364]]

Classification Schedule (MCS) changes.\2\ Id. at 53-55.
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    \2\ Part IV is identified as an additional Part III in the 
Adjustment Notice.
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    Attachments. Attachment A presents MCS changes in legislative 
format and new price schedules. Attachment B presents workshare 
discounts and related information. Attachment C presents the Postal 
Service's price cap calculation. The price cap calculation includes, in 
conformance with rule 3010.22(b), an adjustment to the moving average 
because less than 12 months have passed since the most recent price 
change (filed on January 13, 2011). Attachment D presents the 2013 
Mailing Services Promotions Calendar Overview. Id. at 5.
    Workpapers. The Postal Service filed nine sets of workpapers:

First Class Mail Cap Compliance: USPS-LR-R2013-1/1
First Class Mail International Cap Compliance: USPS-LR-R2013-1/NP1
Standard Mail Cap Compliance: USPS-LR-R2013-1/2
Periodicals Cap Compliance: USPS-LR-R2013-1/3
Package Services Cap Compliance: USPS-LR-R2013-1/4
Special Services Cap Compliance: USPS-LR-R2013-1/5
Derivation of Volumes for Earned Value Reply Mail Promotion: USPS-LR-
R2013-1/6
Standard Mail Contribution Model: USPS-R2013-1/7
FY 2011 Delivery Costs by Shape: USPS-R2013-1/8

Id. at 4-5.

    Each set of workpapers includes a preface with an explanation of 
its contents. Id. at 5. In addition, the preface for the first five 
workpapers provides an overview, a discussion of adjustments to the 
billing determinants for the four quarters ending FY 2012, quarter 3, 
and an explanation of revenue calculations. Id. The First-Class Mail 
and Standard Mail workpapers also incorporate data on promotion 
volumes, based on the volumes from the 2011 Mobile Barcode Promotion 
and USPS-LR-R2012-1/6.

II. Promotions

    As part of this filing, the Postal Service seeks approval of six 
promotions during calendar year 2013.\3\ The following table identifies 
the promotion and timeframe.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ In the past, the Postal Service has not included promotional 
filings in its annual market dominant price adjustment filing. The 
Postal Service states that it does so this year in response to 
customers' concern about insufficient time to fully participate in 
the promotions. Id. at 7.

             Table 5--Calendar Year 2013 Promotion Timeframe
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Promotion                            Timeframe
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile Coupon/Click-to-Call.....  March-April 2013.
Earned Value Reply Mail           April-June 2013.
 Promotion.
Emerging Technology.............  August-September 2013.
Picture Permit..................  August-September 2013.
Product Samples.................  August-September 2013.
Mobile Buy-it-Now...............  November-December 2013.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Id. at 7-8.
    The Postal Service states that it will seek to recover some of the 
revenue forgone from these promotions by factoring the lost revenue 
into the price cap calculation. Id. at 9. The Postal Service asserts 
that a conservative estimate of the value of four of the promotions 
(Mobile Coupon, Click-to-Call, Emerging Technologies, Mobile Buy-it-
Now, and Earned Value Reply Mail), based on historical data on 
qualifying volume, is approximately $33.4 million.\4\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See USPS-LR-R2013-1/1 and USPS-LR-R2013-1/2 for the basis of 
this calculation.
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III. Summary of Price Changes by Class of Mail

A. First-Class Mail

    The following table identifies the Postal Service's planned 
percentage price changes for its First-Class Mail products.

                 Table 6--First-Class Mail Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Percent
                   First-class mail product                      change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single-Piece Letters and Cards...............................      2.283
Presort Letters and Cards....................................      2.555
Flats........................................................      2.675
Parcels......................................................      4.971
International................................................      7.923
Overall......................................................      2.570
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id. at 14.

    The first ounce First-Class Mail price. The price of a stamp for 
the first ounce of single-piece letter mail (including the Forever 
stamp), increases by one cent under the Postal Service's plan, from 45 
cents to 46 cents. Id.
    Single-piece letters and cards. The overall increase of 2.283 
percent for single-piece letters and cards includes a one cent increase 
in the price for single-piece cards (to 33 cents). Id. at 14-15. The 
price for single-piece residual letters (mainly permit imprint 
letters), which the Postal Service is introducing for calendar year 
2013, will be 48 cents for up to 2 ounces. Id. at 15.
    Presort letters and cards. The Postal Service states that the 
overall increase for this product is slightly below the overall average 
for First-Class Mail. The Postal Service continues to price Automated 
Area Distribution Center (AADC) and 3-Digit letters at the same level 
and extends this structure to Presort Automation Postcards. Id. at 16. 
The Postal Service continues to offer the free second ounce for all 
Presort First-Class Mail letters. Id. at 16.
    Flats. The overall increase for Flats is 2.675 percent, slightly 
above the CPI-U cap of 2.57 percent. Id. Price changes within this 
product vary. Id.
    Parcels. Single-Piece (Retail) Parcels (which are the only parcel-
shaped First-Class Mail pieces that remain as market dominant) receive 
a 4.971 percent increase, higher than the overall increase for First-
Class Mail. Id. The Postal Service states that this above-average 
increase is expected to improve cost coverage for this product, which 
it considers low by First-Class Mail standards. Id. at 17-18.
    Promotions--revenue forgone implications. The Adjustment Notice 
includes a summary of the methodology the Postal Service plans to use 
to recover some of the revenue forgone resulting from its 2013 First-
Class Mail promotions. Id. at 18-19. The

[[Page 64365]]

discussion includes identification of the four promotional categories 
that will be included in recovery of revenue forgone and related data 
and information. Id. at 18-19.
    International. Prices for Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail 
International (FCMI) increase by 14.3 percent, significantly above the 
First-Class Mail average of 2.570 percent. Id. at 19. The Postal 
Service asserts that the increase is necessary to increase contribution 
and improve cost coverage for FCMI letters at the one-ounce weight step 
and to accommodate introduction of the International Forever stamp. Id. 
The International Forever stamp will be sold at the price of a single-
piece FCMI first ounce machinable letter and have a postage value 
equivalent to the price of a single-piece FCMI first ounce machinable 
letter in effect at time of use. Id.

B. Standard Mail

    The following table presents the Postal Service's planned 
percentage price changes for Standard Mail products.

                  Table 7--Standard Mail Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Percent
                    Standard mail product                        change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letters......................................................      2.722
Flats........................................................      2.570
Parcels......................................................      3.081
High Density/Saturation Letters..............................      2.207
High Density/Saturation Flats and Parcels....................      2.275
Carrier Route................................................      3.133
Overall......................................................      2.570
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id. at 19.

    Letters receive an above-average increase; Flats receive an average 
(at cap) increase. Id. at 20. The Adjustment Notice includes a 
discussion of the Postal Service's rationale for this approach, 
including reference to the Commission's finding of noncompliance for 
Standard Mail Flats in the 2010 Annual Compliance Report. Id. at 20-25. 
The Adjustment Notice also addresses other Standard Mail pricing. Id. 
at 25. This includes a new Simple Samples Initiative and a new High 
Density Plus price tier. Id. at 26. Detached Address Labels prices 
increase from 3.0 cents to 3.1 cents. Id. The Postal Service is not 
proposing any price changes for Every Door Direct Mail (which will 
remain at 16 cents) or for optional picture permit indicia (which will 
remain at 2 cents). Id. at 27. However, the Postal Service is extending 
the availability of picture permits to flats. Id.
    The Postal Service states that the methodology for recovering 
promotion-related revenue forgone in Standard Mail follows the approach 
for First-Class Mail. Id. at 26-27.

C. Periodicals

    The following table presents the Postal Service's planned 
percentage price changes for the Periodicals class.

                   Table 8--Periodicals Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Percent
                     Periodicals product                         change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside County...............................................      2.546
Within County................................................      2.911
Overall......................................................      2.560
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Id. at 27.

    The Postal Service states that the Periodicals price change 
reflects recognition of this product's value, despite cost coverage 
shortfall. Id. at 27-28. It states that it cannot use its pricing 
authority to fully cover costs, as both Periodicals are failing to 
cover costs by substantially more than the cap. Id. at 28.

D. Package Services

    The following table presents the Postal Service's planned 
percentage price changes for the Package Services class.

                 Table 9--Package Services Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Percent
                  Package services product                      change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Bypass Service......................................        3.000
Bound Printed Matter Flats.................................        0.002
Bound Printed Matter Parcels...............................        3.424
Media Mail and Library Mail................................        3.472
Inbound Surface Parcel Post*...............................        0.000
Overall....................................................        2.569
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Prices for Inbound Surface Parcel Post (at UPU rates) are determined
  by the Universal Postal Union and are not under the Postal Service's
  control. These prices are adjusted by the Postal Operations Council.

Id.

E. Special Services

    The overall increase for Special Services is 2.850 percent. Id. at 
29. The Postal Service states that for most of the products, fee 
increases were designed to be close to 4.5 percent, while maintaining 
consistency with historical rounding constraints (to simplify 
transactions for customers). Id. at 30. The following table, based on 
price changes identified in the body of the Adjustment Notice, 
indicates the differing effects of the Postal Service's Special 
Services pricing decisions.

                Table 10--Special Services Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Special services product                  Percent  change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collect on Delivery.................  9.2
Express Mail Insurance..............  7.9
Return Receipt......................  7.5
Special Handling Prices.............  16.8
Stamp Fulfillment Services..........  0.0
Delivery Confirmation Service.......  -27.1*
Confirm.............................  Prices remain at zero.
Periodicals Additional Entry Fee      Eliminated.
 Application.
Periodicals Original Entry Fee        Increases.
 Application.
Caller Service......................  5.9
Post Office Boxes...................  5 percent overall; no increase for
                                       Size 1 boxes; increases for
                                       larger boxes.
Stamped Envelopes...................  6.2
Stamped Cards.......................  33.3

[[Page 64366]]

 
International Certificates of         Set equal to equivalent domestic
 Mailing.                              service.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Based in part on setting the fee for retail Delivery Confirmation
  service (for Package Services and Priority) and the fee for electronic
  Delivery Confirmation service (for Parcel Post) at zero.

Id. at 30-32.

IV. Preferred Mail and Worksharing Discounts

    Preferred mail. The Adjustment Notice includes the Postal Service's 
explanation that it implemented section 3626 pricing requirements in 
the same manner as in the Docket No. R2012-3 price change, and notes 
the Commission concluded the Postal Service's interpretation of section 
3626 is appropriate. Id. at 32. The Postal Service identifies each of 
the preferred products or components (Within County Periodicals, 
Nonprofit and Classroom Periodicals, Science of Agriculture Periodicals 
advertising pounds, Nonprofit Standard Mail, and Library Mail) and 
describes how the planned adjustments comport with applicable statutory 
factors. Id. at 32-33.
    Consistency with 39 U.S.C. 3627 and 3629. The Adjustment Notice 
observes that neither of these sections is implicated by the price 
change, as the Postal Service does not seek to alter free rates 
(section 3627) or change the eligibility requirements for nonprofit 
rates. Id. at 34.
    Workshare discounts. The Adjustment Notice includes the Postal 
Service's justification and explanation, in accordance with rules 
3010.14(b)(5) and (6), for workshare discounts that exceed 100 percent 
of avoided costs or that are substantially below 100 percent for each 
affected class or individual product. Id. at 34-53.

V. MCS Changes

    The Adjustment Notice, in conformance with rule 3010.14(b)(9), 
identifies numerous changes to the MCS. Certain substantive changes are 
identified by the Postal Service. Id. at 54-55. Attachment A to the 
Adjustment Notice presents price and classification changes. Id. at 53.

VI. Administrative Actions

    The Commission hereby establishes a formal docket, captioned Docket 
No. R2013-1, Notice of Market-Dominant Price Adjustment, to conduct the 
review of the Postal Service's planned price adjustments mandated in 39 
U.S.C. 3622. The Commission has posted the Adjustment Notice on the 
Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov), and has made the Adjustment 
Notice available for copying and inspection during the agency's regular 
business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, except Federal 
holidays.
    Public comment period. The Commission`s rules provide a period of 
20 days from the date of the Postal Service's filing for public 
comment. 39 CFR 3010.13(a)(5). Comments by interested persons are due 
no later than October 31, 2012. Interested persons are encouraged to 
review the Postal Service's Adjustment Notice and workpapers in their 
entirety.
    Commission rule 3010.13(b) further provides that public comments 
are to focus primarily on whether the planned price adjustments comply 
with the following mandatory requirements under the Postal 
Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA):
    (1) Whether the planned rate adjustments measured using the formula 
established in section 3010.23(b) are at or below the annual limitation 
established in section 3010.11; and
    (2) Whether the planned rate adjustments measured using the formula 
established in section 3010.23(b) are at or below the limitations 
established in section 3010.28.
    Participation and designated filing method. Interested persons are 
not required to file a notice of intervention prior to submitting 
comments. Instead, they are to submit comments electronically via the 
Commission's Filing Online system, unless a waiver is obtained. 
Instructions for obtaining an account to file documents online may be 
found on the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov), or by 
contacting the Commission's Docket Section staff at 202-789-6846.
    Persons without access to the Internet or otherwise unable to file 
documents electronically may request a waiver of the electronic filing 
requirement by filing a motion for waiver with the Commission. The 
motion may be filed along with any comments the person may wish to 
submit in this docket. Persons requesting a waiver may file hardcopy 
documents with the Commission either by mailing or by hand delivery to 
the Office of the Secretary, Postal Regulatory Commission, 901 New York 
Avenue NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268-0001 during regular 
business hours by the date specified for such filing. Any person 
needing assistance in requesting a waiver may contact the Docket 
Section at 202-789-6846. Hardcopy documents will be scanned and posted 
on the Commission's Web site.
    Appointment of Public Representative. In conformance with 39 U.S.C. 
505, the Commission appoints Kenneth E. Richardson to represent the 
interests of the general public in this proceeding.

VII. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. R2013-1 to consider 
planned price adjustments in rates, fees and classifications for market 
dominant postal products and services identified in the Postal 
Service's October 11, 2012 Adjustment Notice.
    2. Comments by interested persons on the planned price adjustments 
are due no later than October 31, 2012.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth E. 
Richardson to represent the interests of the general public in this 
proceeding.
    4. The Commission directs the Secretary of the Commission to 
arrange for prompt publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.

Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-25761 Filed 10-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P