The Postal Regulatory Commission is seeking public input on a Postal Service proposal to end carrier street address delivery, collection at blue collection boxes, and incoming mail processing on Saturdays in the United States. This is one of the most significant changes the Postal Service has ever presented to the Commission. The Postal Service is required to ask the Commission for an Advisory Opinion on any change in nationwide service that it proposes.
Background
The U.S. Postal Service has advised the Postal Regulatory Commission that due to falling mail volumes and revenues it is considering eliminating Saturday mail collection and delivery except for Express Mail and existing post office box service. It submitted 11 pieces of testimony in support of its request. As a result, the Postal Regulatory Commission established Docket N2010-1 to thoroughly review whether the U.S. Postal Service plan to eliminate Saturday delivery should be implemented. The Postal Service is required to ask the Commission for an Advisory Opinion on any change in nationwide service it proposes. The Postal Regulatory Commission is an independent federal agency that provides regulatory oversight over the U.S. Postal Service to ensure the transparency and accountability of the Postal Service and foster a vital and efficient universal mail system. According to the Commission’s Chairman, Ruth Y. Goldway, their process will allow for the public to be heard and for all the facts to be considered before he Commission issues its Advisory Opinion.
Commission procedures provide for public, on-the-record hearings to analyze and cross-examine the Postal Service’s “five-day” proposal and supporting evidence. During the process, mail users and interested members of the public may offer supporting or opposing views, both informally and as part of more formal, technical presentations. The Commission will also conduct as many as six field hearings and solicit public comments through its website. Dallas, Sacramento, and Chicago are among the cities the Commission is considering for possible field hearing locations.
The elimination of one mail delivery day is not a new concept. It has been proposed many times and was the subject of extensive congressional review in 1977 and 1980. In 1983, the Congress adopted specific language requiring the Postal Service to maintain six-day delivery. Congress will consider the Commission’s Advisory Opinion as it reviews the Postal Service’s request to change the law.
Grange Policy U.S. Postal Service
1. The National Grange continues to support Rural Free Mail Delivery Service as an essential part of universal mail service. We support the continuation of rural Saturday mail delivery and all other mail services to rural areas. Patrons of rural post offices must be given six (6) months notice before their post office is closed and must be provided with an opportunity to express their viewpoint at a public hearing.
Action Needed
The public is invited to share their views via the Commission website in two ways. You may informally share your views by visiting via the Commission web site, www.prc.gov, and clicking the “ contact PRC” tab to access a convenient online customer service form. By participating in this manner, your comments will be an informal expression of your views on the Postal Service’s plan. You can also write to the Postal Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations, 901 New York Ave., NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC, 20268-0001.
To participate more formally in the process and to file documents to be included in the online public record, you must file a notice of intervention and follow the Commission’s rules of practice and procedure. The notice of intervention only requires a simple statement of your interest in the case, intent to intervene, along with your name, address, and contact information. To file a notice of intervention and other relevant documents, interested persons should click the “Filing Online” tab and follow the appropriate instructions.
Sample E-Mail or Letter
Postal Regulatory Commission
ATTN: Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations
901 New York Ave., NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC, 20268-0001
Dear Commission Chairman Goldway,
I am writing in opposition to the Postal Service proposal ending carrier street address delivery, collection at blue collection boxes, and incoming mail processing on Saturdays in the United States and I would like my letter to be part of the informal public opinion record of the Postal Regulatory Commission.
There is no doubt that today’s technological advances have brought a decrease in paper mail and postal service use has significantly declined. Even with electronic letter possibilities, however, there is still a need for all current mail services, particularly in rural America where modern technological opportunities are not prevalent or, in some cases, not even available. In some parts of this country, the U.S. mail system is still the most common means of communication. Until rural America is offered affordable electronic and telecommunication services such as access to high-speed internet and wireless telephone, it would be devastating to decrease postal services. In my opinion, reducing these services would be a significant setback for our rural citizens to properly communicate with the rest of the world, and I believe that businesses and U.S. citizens in rural areas will greatly suffer without today’s efficient mail system including all of the postal services now available.
I am a member of the National Grange, the nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization, dedicated to providing service to agriculture and rural communities on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable rural America. This organization has long standing policy to support Rural Free Mail Delivery Service as an essential part of universal mail service. We also support the continuation of rural Saturday mail delivery and all other mail services to rural areas.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your Grange number |
If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Legislative Program Assistant Molly Thompson by e-mail: mthompson@nationalgrange.org; or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext. 107. Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative Program.
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