SW Georgia News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) led the Georgia Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding that he immediately fulfill his legal obligation to seek an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for the agency’s recent consolidation process in Georgia.

Earlier this year, the USPS transitioned and consolidated local Processing & Distribution Centers (PDC) across North Georgia to the Postal Service’s new Regional Processing & Distribution Center (RPDC) in Palmetto, Georgia.

In the letter, lawmakers urge DeJoy to seek an advisory opinion from the PRC, noting this action is required by law.

“We urge you to promptly seek an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding the Delivering for America (DFA) plan initiatives detailed in PRC Order No. 7061 (Docket No. PI2023-4). According to 39 U.S.C. 3661(b), the United States Postal Service (USPS) must request an advisory opinion from the PRC for any changes impacting postal services on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis. The DFA initiatives described in Part III of PRC Order No. 7061 fall under this requirement. Therefore, we demand you immediately submit the necessary proposals to the PRC for an advisory opinion in compliance with USPS' legal obligation."

“In 2021, the Postal Service announced its 10-year operational plan, ‘Delivering for America,’ aimed at achieving financial sustainability, service excellence, and increased investment. The DFA strategic plan includes a pledge to ‘adhere to legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements,’ including filing requests for advisory opinions with the PRC as required by law. According to PRC Order No. 7061, as of the order's publication date, USPS has only filed three requests for advisory opinions related to changes outlined in the initial DFA plan.”

The lawmakers highlight that USPS consolidated operations in major metropolitan areas around the country without requesting an advisory opinion from the PRC.

“In its April 2023 DFA Second-Year Progress Report, the Postal Service detailed plans for a complete overhaul of its processing and delivery operations network. This overhaul includes new Regional Processing & Distribution Centers (RPDCs) that consolidate major metropolitan area local processing centers into one large regional facility. USPS stated that this change would ‘form the backbone of the future network.’ According to the PRC, USPS has started consolidation efforts into new RPDCs in nine major metropolitan areas across the country – already impacting more than 30 million Americans nationwide. Yet despite these significant operational changes affecting service in major cities across the country, The Postal Service proceeded without requesting required advisory opinions from The PRC – clearly violating intent of law.”

The bipartisan group of lawmakers underscore importance of The Postal Service’s failure seeking an advisory opinion by spotlighting The PRC’s concerns.

“PRC Order No. 7061 questions The Postal Service’s failure seeking an advisory opinion stating: ‘It is hard seeing how these initiatives will not involve change nature services.’ The PRC notes that USPS plans reducing facilities from 430 -220 part their network consolidation efforts moving some facilities far four hours away; further states network consolidation plan could ‘delay processing’ leading mail delays; commission concludes: become increasingly apparent operational changes implemented by postal service nationwide may result significant service changes over broad area country.”

Undeniably,the USPS’ consolidation process has been nothing short disastrous.

“In Atlanta GA after several local PDCs across North Georgia region were consolidated into one RPDC Palmetto GA news reports detailed how dozens mail trucks forced waiting outside new Palmetto facility obstructed traffic leading Palmetto Police Department getting involved; furthermore outlines how Atlanta region average First-Class Mail letter delivered address took13 .29 days arrive average delivery time single-piece first-class mail whole state increased nearly60 %”

Additionally lawmakers detail botched transition impacted constituents

“Our constituents business owners hardworking Americans across country rely United States postal service effective efficient mail delivery operations pay bills receive life-saving medication even run business; nationwide network overhaul extensively disrupted mail delivery operations postal customers nationwide causing immense trouble grief everyday lives”

In closing lawmakers blast postal service failure follow legally required advisory opinion process demand DeJoy swiftly do so

“The current mail delivery situation across country caused failed network modernization plan completely unacceptable entirely preventable; established Congress prevent extensive nationwide service failures ever occurring provide American people necessary oversight accountability vital institution deserve continued ignorance legally required process excusable therefore members congress represent millions Americans affected disastrous postal operations changes demand follow law immediately seek previously described initiatives your legal obligation under39 U S C3661 b ”

Full text letter available HERE

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