[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15579]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3050

[Docket No. RM2015-10; Order No. 2548]


Periodic Reporting

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking 
proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to 
periodic reports (Proposal Two). This notice of proposed rulemaking 
informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes 
other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: July 30, 2015. Reply comments are due: August 
10, 2015.

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: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Summary of Proposal
III. Initial Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On June 17, 2015, the Postal Service filed a petition pursuant to 
39 CFR 3050.11 requesting that the Commission initiate an informal 
rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles 
relating to periodic reports.\1\ Proposal Two is attached to the 
Petition and identifies the proposed analytical method change as a 
change for a unified International Cost and Revenue Analysis Report 
(ICRA). Id. Attachment at 1. The Postal Service concurrently filed a 
nonpublic library reference, along with an application for nonpublic 
treatment.\2\


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    \1\ Petition of the United States Postal Service for the 
Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in 
Analytical Principles (Proposal Two), June 17, 2015 (Petition).
    \2\ Notice of Filing of USPS-RM2015-10/NP1 and Application for 
Nonpublic Treatment, June 17, 2015 (Notice). The Library Reference 
is USPS-RM2015-10/NP1--Nonpublic Material Relating to Proposal Two. 
The Notice incorporates by reference the Application for Non-Public 
Treatment of Materials contained in Attachment Two to the December 
29, 2014 United States Postal Service Fiscal Year 2014 Annual 
Compliance Report. Notice at 1. See 39 CFR part 3007 for information 
on access to nonpublic material.
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II. Summary of Proposal

    The Postal Service proposes replacing the traditional imputed and 
booked versions of the ICRA report with a single, unified version. 
Petition, Attachment at 1. The booked version reflects the cost of 
settlement payments as reported in the Postal Service's financial 
statements. Id. at 1-2. The imputed version reflects the costs of 
settlement payments estimated from the known settlement rate for each 
country multiplied by the known units (number of pieces or pounds of 
mail or both, depending on the formula application for each county). 
Id. at 1. Two versions of the ICRA were previously necessary because of 
the lag time between actual mail flows and settlement transactions 
between the Postal Service and foreign postal administrators. Id.
    The Postal Service, however, explains that the majority of the 
settlement payment timing delay was eliminated in fiscal year 2012 with 
the implementation of the Foreign Payment System for inbound revenue. 
Id. at 2. The Postal Service states that this proposal will allow it to 
report financial results for international mail in a unified ICRA, in a 
manner consistent with the Revenue, Pieces and Weight report and the 
Postal Service's financial statements. Id. at 2.
    The Postal Service states that the impact of this proposal is very 
small. Id. at 3. By way of an example, the Postal Service states that 
for each of the last three fiscal years, the differences in both total 
cost and total revenue between the imputed and booked versions have 
been one percent or less. Id. In addition, the Postal Service states 
that producing a unified ICRA will streamline its production process 
and reduce the number of items the Commission must review. Id. 
Moreover, the Postal Service explains that a unified ICRA will 
eliminate the need to distinguish between versions under discussion, 
thereby avoiding confusion. Id.

III. Initial Commission Action

    The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2015-10 for consideration 
of matters raised by the Petition. Additional information concerning 
the Petition may be accessed via the Commission's Web site at http://www.prc.gov. Interested persons may submit comments on the Petition and 
Proposal Two no later than July 30, 2015. Reply comments are due no 
later than August 10, 2015. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth E. 
Richardson is designated as officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this proceeding.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2015-10 for 
consideration of the matters raised by the Petition of the United 
States Postal Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider 
Proposed Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal Two), filed June 
17, 2015.
    2. Comments are due no later than July 30, 2015. Reply comments are 
due no later than August 10, 2015.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth E. 
Richardson to serve as officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this docket.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-15579 Filed 6-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P