[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10577-10578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03977]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. CP2014-27; Order No. 1996]


Changes in Postal Rates for Certain Mail in Alaska

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning changes in rates of general applicability for the 
competitive Standard Post product. The changes are associated with a 
new price category identified as Limited Overland Routes. This notice 
informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes 
other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: March 5, 2014.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Corcoran, Acting General 
Counsel, at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 14, 2014, the Postal Service 
filed notice with the Commission of changes in rates of general 
applicability for the competitive Standard Post product.\1\ Attached to 
the Notice is Governors' Decision No. 14-01, which establishes the 
changes.\2\ The changes are scheduled to take effect on March 20, 2014. 
Notice at 1.
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    \1\ Notice of the United States Postal Service of Changes in 
Rates of General Applicability for a Competitive Product, 
Established in Governors' Decision No. 14-1, February 14, 2014 
(Notice). Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(2), the Postal Service is 
obligated to publish the Governors' Decision and record of 
proceedings in the Federal Register at least 30 days before the 
effective date of the new rates or classes.
    \2\ Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal 
Service on Changes in Rate and Class of General Applicability for 
Standard Post (Governors' Decision No. 14-01), February 14, 2014 
(Governors' Decision).
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    The changes introduce a new price category--Limited Overland 
Routes--for the Standard Post product.\3\ The new price category 
applies to pieces delivered to or from intra-Alaska ZIP Codes not 
connected by overland routes. Governors' Decision at 1. The Governors' 
Decision indicates that Standard Post classification and price changes 
implemented on January 26, 2014 have had a disproportionate impact on 
certain intra-Alaska Standard Post users, who typically send heavier 
than average Standard Post pieces within Zones 1-5. Id.
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    \3\ Governors' Decision at 1. The proposed changes to the Mail 
Classification Schedule also include a minor clarifying change to a 
footnote in the Standard Post price table. Proposed Changes to Mail 
Classification Schedule (appended to Notice), February 14, 2014, at 
4.
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    The Postal Service indicates that the price changes would set the 
prices for the Limited Overland Routes category at prices equal to 
those in effect last year. Notice at 1. It states that the new price 
category will only apply to a small, discrete number of designated ZIP 
Codes with low volume. Id.

[[Page 10578]]

    Notice. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2014-27 to consider 
the Postal Service's Notice. Interested persons may express views and 
offer comments on whether the planned changes are consistent with 39 
U.S.C. 3632, 3633, and 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39 CFR part 3020 
subparts B and E. Comments are due no later than March 5, 2014.
    Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Pamela A. Thompson is appointed to serve 
as Public Representative to represent the interests of the general 
public in this docket.
    Additional information. The Postal Service indicates that it has 
determined that the Standard Post product as a whole will continue to 
cover its costs and make an appropriate contribution to institutional 
costs. Id. at 2. The Postal Service is directed to provide revenue and 
attributable cost data for the 12-month period from the effective date 
of the proposed rates (March 20, 2014) to demonstrate that the Standard 
Post product complies with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(2). The Postal Service is 
also directed to confirm that following the price change, competitive 
products in total will be in compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(1) and 
(3). The Postal Service is directed to provide this additional 
information by February 26, 2014.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2014-27 to consider the 
matters raised in this docket.
    2. The Commission appoints Pamela A. Thompson to serve as Public 
Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this 
proceeding.
    3. The additional information requested in this Order is due no 
later than February 26, 2014.
    4. Comments on the Notice are due no later than March 5, 2014.
    5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-03977 Filed 2-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P