[Federal Register: May 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 100)] [Notices] [Page 28225] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr25my99-116] [[Page 28225]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL RATE COMMISSION [Docket No. MC98-1; Order No. 1241] Mail Classification Proceeding AGENCY: Postal Rate Commission. ACTION: Order terminating experimental docket. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commission, at the Postal Service's request, terminates an experimental docket established to consider a proposed ``Mailing Online'' service. Termination will allow the Service to consider revisions to the proposal, given adoption of a consolidation policy regarding its Internet presence. Termination is without prejudice to a new filing. DATES: Termination was effective May 12, 1999. ADDRESSES: Send communications regarding this notice and order to the attention of Margaret P. Crenshaw, Secretary of the Commmission, 1333 H Street NW., Washington, DC, 20268-0001. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 1333 H Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20268-0001, 202-789-6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 5, 1999, the US Postal Service filed a pleading announcing the withdrawal of its request in this proceeding and moving that the Commission close this docket. Notice of US Postal Service Withdrawal of Request for a Recommended Decision and Motion to Close Docket (Postal Service Motion), May 5, 1999. In its pleading, the Postal Service states that it intends to consolidate its Internet presence within one website, USPS.com, rather than using the ``PostOffice Online'' website as a platform for certain Internet services such as Mailing Online, as was originally proposed by the Service in this docket. Id. at 1-2. According to the Service, the consolidation will enable it to avoid unnecessary redundancies and costs, and to manage efficiently the issue of year 2000 compatibility. Id. at 1. The consolidation further is touted as a sound business decision in accordance with the practice of other firms engaged in Internet transactions. Ibid. The Postal Service states that it hopes to file a new, reformulated and supplemented request for its Mailing Online service at some unspecified point in the future. Id. at 2. As Mailing Online's platform would be the consolidated USPS.com website, rather than the currently proposed PostOffice Online, an updated explanation of the system's operation and revisions of certain estimated information systems costs would be necessary. Ibid. In light of these modifications, the Service has concluded that the least complicated course of action is to withdraw its request. (In its motion to close the docket, the Postal Service states that it would seek to incorporate into the record of the new docket substantial, relevant parts of the record in the instant docket in order to allow for an expedited resolution of the new request. Postal Service Motion at 2.) No participant has opposed the Postal Service's motion to terminate this docket. In light of the nature of this docket--a proposal for an experimental service by the Postal Service--the Commission does not believe that terminating proceedings at this time will result in prejudice to the due process rights of any participant. Accordingly, the Commission shall grant the Postal Service's motion to terminate this proceeding. (For information regarding the Service's initial filing, see Commission notice and order no. 1216, published at 63 FR 39600 (July 23, 1998)). It is ordered: 1. The motion of the U.S. Postal Service to close docket no. MC98-1 is granted. 2. The Secretary shall cause this notice and order to be published in the Federal Register. Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3623. Dated: May 20, 1999. Cyril J. Pittack, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-13146 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P