§ 3001.171 - Applicability.

This section and §§ 3001.172 through 3001.176 apply in cases in which the Postal Service requests that the Commission recommend the establishment of a provisional service which will supplement, but will not alter, existing mail classifications and rates for a limited and fixed duration. The requirements and procedures specified in these sections apply exclusively to the Commission's determination to recommend in favor of or against a provisional service proposed by the Postal Service, and do not supersede the rules applicable to requests for permanent changes in rates, fees, mail classifications, and in the nature of postal services. In administering this subpart, it shall be the policy of the Commission to recommend the introduction of provisional services that enhance the range of postal services available to the public, without producing a material adverse effect overall on postal revenues or costs, and without causing unnecessary or unreasonable harm to competitors of the Postal Service. Except in extraordinary circumstances and for good cause shown, the Commission shall not recommend provisional services of more than two years in duration; however, the Commission may grant a request to extend a provisional service for an additional year if a Postal Service request to establish the provisional service as a permanent mail classification is pending before the Commission.