Notice2024-27281
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
November 21, 2024
Issuing agencies
Postal Regulatory Commission
Abstract
The Commission is acknowledging a recently-filed Postal Service request for an advisory opinion regarding planned changes to its processing and transportation networks. This document invites public comments on the request and addresses several related procedural steps.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 92190-92191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27281]
[[Page 92190]]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. N2024-1; Order No. 7998]
Service Standard Changes
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is acknowledging a recently-filed Postal
Service request for an advisory opinion regarding planned changes to
its processing and transportation networks. This document invites
public comments on the request and addresses several related procedural
steps.
DATES: Notice of intent to file a rebuttal: November 22, 2024; Hearing:
December 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, Virtual.
ADDRESSES: Submit notices electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at <a href="http://www.prc.gov">http://www.prc.gov</a>. Persons interested in intervening
who cannot submit their views electronically should contact the person
identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
202-789-6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Hearing Procedures
III. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On October 4, 2024, the Postal Service filed a request for an
advisory opinion from the Commission regarding planned changes to its
processing and transportation networks.\1\ Specifically, the Postal
Service proposes to create a nationwide network of Regional Processing
and Distribution Centers (RPDCs) and Local Processing Centers (LPCs).
Request at 3. Further, the Postal Service plans to implement its
Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) initiative on a nationwide
basis. Id. The Postal Service also proposes to revise its service
standards ``to align with these operational initiatives . . . .'' Id.
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\1\ United States Postal Service Request for an Advisory Opinion
on Changes in the Nature of Postal Services, October 4, 2024
(Request).
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II. Hearing Procedures
Before issuing its advisory opinion, the Commission shall accord 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. N2024-1. The Commission will sit en banc for
Docket No. N2024-1. See 39 CFR 3020.122(b). In Order No. 7695, the
Commission stated that ``[t]he form and manner for any hearings to be
held in Docket No. N2024-1 shall be established by Commission Order or
Presiding Officer Ruling at a later date.'' \2\
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\2\ Notice and Order on the Postal Service's Request for an
Advisory Opinion on Changes in the Nature of Postal Services,
October 9, 2024, at 14 (Order No. 7695).
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A majority of the Commission has determined that it will conduct
any hearings in Docket No. N2024-1 in person in the Commission's
hearing room at 901 New York Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington DC,
20268. Commissioner Ashley Poling shall preside over any hearings
conducted as part of this proceeding. Additionally, the hearings will
be live-streamed, and information on how to access the stream shall be
forthcoming. The stream will only allow remote parties to view, but not
interact with, the live hearing taking place at the Commission's
hearing room. Individuals do not need to register in advance to access
the livestream.
Additionally, the Commission, to better support the hearing,
modifies the procedural schedule set forth in Order No. 7695 regarding
certain deadlines in preparation for hearing and rebuttal case. The
modified schedule appears below the signature of this Order as
Attachment 1. Pursuant to that schedule, any party that intends to
conduct oral cross-examination shall file a notice of intent to do so
by November 22, 2024. The notice must include an estimate of the amount
of time requested for each witness.
As noted in Order No. 7695, a rebuttal case is any evidence and
testimony offered to disprove or contradict the evidence and testimony
submitted by the Postal Service. A rebuttal case does not include
cross-examination of the Postal Service's witnesses or argument
submitted via a brief or statement of position. Any party that intends
to file a rebuttal case must file a notice confirming its intent to do
so by November 22, 2024. Any rebuttal case, consisting of any testimony
and all materials in support of the case, must be filed by December 4,
2024. Any motion for leave to file a surrebuttal case is due December
6, 2024. See Order No. 7695 at 24.
If no party files a notice of intent to file a rebuttal case by
November 22, 2024, the hearing of the Postal Service's direct case
shall begin at 10:00 a.m. ET on December 4, 2024, with additional days
reserved on December 5, 2024, and December 6, 2024.
If any party files a notice of intent to file a rebuttal case by
November 22, 2024, but no surrebuttal testimony will be presented, then
the hearing of the Postal Service's direct case shall begin at 10:00
a.m. ET on December 11, 2024, with additional days reserved on December
12, 2024, and December 13, 2024.
If any party files a notice of intent to file a rebuttal case by
November 22, 2024, and the Commission approves the presentation of
surrebuttal testimony, then the hearing of the Postal Service's direct
case shall begin at 10:00 a.m. ET on December 18, 2024, and the hearing
of the surrebuttal case shall end December 20, 2024.
Each individual seeking to attend the live hearing at the
Commission's hearing room must register by sending an email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f6a493919f85828497829f9998b6868495d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c4e797b756f686e7d687573725c6c6e7f327b736a">[email protected]</span></a>, with the subject line ``N2024-1 Hearing
Registration'' by November 22, 2024. The hearing is open to the public
subject to space constraints in the Commission's hearing room, however
only intervenors are able to question Postal Service witnesses. In
order to facilitate orderly public participation, this email shall
provide the following information:
<bullet> your first and last name;
<bullet> your email address;
<bullet> your affiliation (if you are participating in your
capacity as an employee, officer, or member of an entity such as a
corporation, association, or government agency).
The <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#31635456584245435045585e5f714143521f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ccef9fbf5efe8eefde8f5f3f2dceceeffb2fbf3ea">[email protected]</span></a> email address is established solely for
the exchange of information relating to the logistics of registering
for, and attending, the live hearing.\3\ No information related to the
substance of the Postal Service's Request shall be communicated, nor
shall any information provided by participants apart from the list
identified above be reviewed or considered. Only documents filed with
the Commission's docket system will be considered by the Commission.
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\3\ Please refer to the Commission's privacy policy which is
available at <a href="https://www.prc.gov/privacy">https://www.prc.gov/privacy</a>.
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III. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission will conduct any hearings in Docket No. N2024-1
in person at the Commission's hearing room.
2. The modified procedural schedule for this proceeding is set
forth below the signature of this Order.
[[Page 92191]]
3. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the
Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
Procedural Schedule for Docket No. N2024-1
[Modified by the Commission, November 15, 2024]
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Technical Conference Dates:
Deadline to Email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#31635456584245435045585e5f714143521f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ac8fffdf3e9eee8fbeef3f5f4daeae8f9b4fdf5ec">[email protected]</span></a> to October 15, 2024.
Register to Participate in the Live
Technical Conference via Microsoft Teams.
Filing of the Postal Service's Materials October 15, 2024.
(if any) for the Technical Conference.
Technical Conference (live via Microsoft October 16, 2024, at 1:00
Teams). p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Intervention Deadline:
Filing of Notice of Intervention......... October 21, 2024.
Discovery Deadlines for the Postal Service's
Direct Case:
Last Filing of Discovery Requests........ November 5, 2024.
Filing of the Postal Service's Answers to November 12, 2024.
Discovery.
Deadlines in Preparation for Hearing
(assuming no rebuttal case):
Filing of Notice Confirming Intent to November 22, 2024.
Conduct Oral Cross-Examination.
Filing of Request to Present Oral November 22, 2024.
Argument.
Filing of Notice of Designations November 26, 2024.
(Parties).
Filing of Notices of Designated Materials December 2, 2024.
(Postal Service).
Rebuttal Case Deadlines (if applicable):
Filing of Notice Confirming Intent to November 22, 2024.
File a Rebuttal Case.
Filing of Rebuttal Case.................. December 4, 2024.
Surrebuttal Case Deadlines (if applicable): .........................
Filing of Motion for Leave to File December 6, 2024.
Surrebuttal Case.
Filing of Response to Motion for Leave to December 10, 2024.
File Surrebuttal Case.
Filing of Surrebuttal Case (if December 13, 2024.
authorized).
Hearing Dates:
Hearings (with no Rebuttal Case)......... December 4 to 6, 2024.
Hearings (with Rebuttal Case, but no December 11 to 13, 2024.
authorized Surrebuttal Case).
Hearings (with Rebuttal Case and December 18 to 20, 2024.
authorized Surrebuttal Case).
Briefing Deadlines:
Filing of Initial Briefs (with no December 12, 2024.
Rebuttal Case).
Filing of Reply Briefs (with no Rebuttal December 19, 2024.
Case).
Statement of Position Deadline:
Filing of Statement of Position (with no December 12, 2024.
Rebuttal Case).
Advisory Opinion Deadline:
Filing of Advisory Opinion............... January 31, 2025.
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[FR Doc. 2024-27281 Filed 11-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
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