Notice2022-05241
Service Standard Changes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 14, 2022
Issuing agencies
Postal Regulatory Commission
Abstract
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 Retail Ground and Parcel Select Ground. This document informs the public of this proceeding and the pre-filing conference, and takes other administrative steps.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14303-14304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05241]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. N2022-1; Order No. 6115]
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 Retail Ground and Parcel Select
Ground. This document informs the public of this proceeding and the
pre-filing conference, and takes other administrative steps.
DATES: Pre-filing conference: March 15, 2022, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Eastern Daylight Time--Virtual Online.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at <a href="http://www.prc.gov">http://www.prc.gov</a>. 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 March 4,
2022, the Postal Service filed a notice of its intent to conduct a pre-
filing conference regarding its proposed changes to the service
standards for Retail Ground and Parcel Select Ground.\1\ Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will be held virtually on March 15,
2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). See
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 <a href="https://about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/delivering-for-america/#conference">https://about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/delivering-for-america/#conference</a>, direct interested persons to a
website to register to participate using Zoom, and participants have
until March 10, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to register.
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\1\ Notice of Pre-Filing Conference, March 4, 2022 (Notice).
Retail Ground is an ``economical ground shipping solution'' for
retail customers comprised of ``packages, thick envelopes, and tubes
weighing less than 70 pounds and smaller than 130 inches combined
length and width,'' and that are not otherwise required to be sent
as First-Class Mail. Notice at 1 n.1. Parcel Select Ground differs
in that it is targeted at large- and medium-sized commercial
shippers. Id. at 1 n.2.
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The Commission establishes Docket No. N2022-1 to consider the
Postal Service's proposed changes to the service standards for Retail
Ground and Parcel Select Ground.
The Postal Service ties its proposed changes to its ``Delivering
for America'' plan and avers that the instant proposal furthers the
fundamental goals of service excellence and financial
[[Page 14304]]
stability.\2\ The Postal Service states that the proposal would align
competitive products (within the contiguous United States) service
standards, specifically by raising Retail Ground and Parcel Select
Ground standards to the level of the First-Class Package Service
standard. Notice at 2-3. The First-Class Package Service standard is
planned to be reduced from a 2-to-3 day standard to a 2-to-5 day
standard and was the subject of a Commission advisory opinion issued
September 29, 2021.\3\ With regard to the improved standards for Retail
Ground and Parcel Select Ground, the Postal Service submits that
``customers would benefit from a low-cost, medium-speed, shipping
service for packages in excess of one pound.'' Notice at 3. The Postal
Service also notes that the parcel market has seen significant recent
growth and is expected to continue to grow. 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 <a href="https://about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/delivering-for-america/assets/USPS_Delivering-For-America.pdf">https://about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/delivering-for-america/assets/USPS_Delivering-For-America.pdf</a>.
\3\ Id.; see Docket No. N2021-2, Advisory Opinion on the Service
Standard Changes Associated with First-Class Package Service,
September 29, 2021. The Postal Service intends to implement the
general reduction in the First-Class Package Service standards
either before or concurrently with the general promotion of Retail
Ground and Parcel Select Ground standards. Notice at 2 n.4.
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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.\4\ 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. N2021-2.
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\4\ 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 Joseph K. Press 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. N2022-1 to consider the
Postal Service's proposed changes to the service standards for Retail
Ground and Parcel Select Ground.
2. The Postal Service shall conduct a virtual pre-filing conference
regarding its proposal on March 15, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
EDT.
3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3661(c) and 39 CFR 3020.111(d), Joseph K.
Press 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.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-05241 Filed 3-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
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