[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51162-51163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17873]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. N2022-2; Order No. 6251]


Service Standard Changes

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is acknowledging a filing by the Postal Service 
of its intent to conduct a pre-filing conference regarding its proposed 
changes to the service standards for Critical Entry Time Changes (CET) 
for certain Periodicals. This document informs the public of this 
proceeding and the pre-filing conference and takes other administrative 
steps.

DATES: Pre-filing conference: August 25, 2022, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., 
Eastern Daylight Time--Virtual Online.

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: Pursuant to 39 CFR 3020.111(d), on August 
12, 2022, the Postal Service filed a notice of its intent to conduct a 
pre-filing conference regarding its proposed changes to the Critical 
Entry Times (CETs) for certain Periodicals.\1\ The Postal Service seeks 
to revise the CET for all Periodicals that are not entered on a direct 
Carrier Route pallet to 0800. Notice at 2. Current CETs for the 
Periodicals affected by the proposed changes are 0800, 1100, or 1400. 
Id. at 3.
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    \1\ Notice of Pre-Filing Conference, August 12, 2022 (Notice).
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    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will be held virtually 
on August 25, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time 
(EDT). Notice at 1, 3. At this conference, Postal Service 
representatives capable of discussing the Postal Service's proposal 
will be available to educate the public and to allow interested persons 
to provide feedback to the Postal Service. See id. The registration 
instructions, which are available at https://about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/delivering-for-america/#conference, direct interested 
persons to a website to register to participate using Zoom, and 
participants have until August 22, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EDT to register. 
Id. at 4.
    The Commission establishes Docket No. N2022-2 to consider the 
Postal Service's proposed changes to the CETs for certain categories of 
Periodicals.
    The Postal Service states that the proposed changes further the 
``fundamental goals of service excellence and financial 
sustainability'' found in its ``Delivering for America'' plan.\2\ 
Specifically, the Postal Service states that ``[c]urrently there are 
multiple different CETs for Periodicals, based on how the mail is 
prepared, but this system has proven unworkable.'' Notice at 3. The 
Postal Service avers that ``[h]aving to accommodate multiple arrival 
times for Periodicals volume constrains the Postal Service's ability to 
efficiently allocate staff and utilize available processing equipment'' 
and that it ``results in inconsistent and unreliable service, as the 
later CETs makes it very challenging for the Postal Service to meet the 
current Periodicals service standards.'' Id. The Postal Service states 
that the proposed changes will ``significantly increase operational 
effectiveness, while improving service

[[Page 51163]]

reliability for all Periodicals customers.'' Id.
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    \2\ See id. at 2; see also United States Postal Service, 
Delivering for America: Our Vision and Ten-Year Plan to Achieve 
Financial Sustainability and Service Excellence, March 23, 2021, at 
53, available at https://about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/delivering-for-america/assets/USPS_Delivering-For-America.pdf.
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    The Postal Service must file its formal request for an advisory 
opinion with the Commission at least 90 days before implementing any of 
the proposed changes. 39 CFR 3020.112.\3\ This formal request must 
certify that the Postal Service has made good faith efforts to address 
the concerns raised at the pre-filing conference and meet other content 
requirements. 39 CFR 3020.113. After the Postal Service files the 
formal request for an advisory opinion, the Commission will set forth a 
procedural schedule and provide additional information in a notice and 
order that will be published in the Federal Register. 39 CFR 3020.110. 
Before issuing its advisory opinion, the Commission must provide an 
opportunity for a formal, on-the-record hearing pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
556 and 557. 39 U.S.C. 3661(c). The procedural rules in 39 CFR part 
3020 apply to Docket No. N2022-2.
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    \3\ The Commission may consider whether to extend the 90 days 
for a decision based on good cause.
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    Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3661(c) and 39 CFR 3020.111(d), the 
Commission appoints Katrina R. Martinez to represent the interests of 
the general public (Public Representative) in this proceeding. Pursuant 
to 39 CFR 3020.111(d), the Secretary shall arrange for publication of 
this Order in the Federal Register.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. N2022-2 to consider the 
Postal Service's proposed changes to the Critical Entry Times for all 
Periodicals that are not entered on a direct Carrier Route pallet.
    2. The Postal Service shall conduct a virtual pre-filing conference 
regarding its proposal on August 25, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
EDT.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3661(c) and 39 CFR 3020.111(d), Katrina R. 
Martinez is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this proceeding.
    4. Pursuant to 39 CFR 3020.111(d), the Secretary shall arrange for 
publication of this order in the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Jennie L. Jbara,
Alternate Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-17873 Filed 8-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P