Washington, DC – The Postal Regulatory Commission has established Docket No. PI2016-2 to solicit public comment on the scope of its authority over Postal Service determinations to close or consolidate post offices. Title 39 of United States Code 404(d) sets forth the requirements for the Postal Service to follow when it closes or consolidates a post office and authorizes the Commission to review these closures and consolidations.

The Commission seeks written comments regarding the interpretation of terms and concepts related to section 404(d) including the distinctions between closures or consolidations and relocations or rearrangements of postal retail facilities, and the interpretation and application of the sole source standard which provides for Commission jurisdiction over certain contract postal units.

Interested persons wishing to file formal comments to be included online in the docket must first register with the Commission. Instructions for submitting formal comments are available on the Commission website, www.prc.gov, under the “Filing Online” button. Interested persons who do not have Internet access may submit comments to the Postal Regulatory Commission at 901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268.

Initial written comments are due no later than January 29, 2016, and written reply comments are due no later than February 23, 2016. The Commission has appointed Lauren A. D’Agostino to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this docket.