US Postal Service 2014 Annual Report Download - page 10

2014 Report on Form 10-K United States Postal Service 6
implemented initiatives that have removed billions of dollars of costs from our operations while increasing access to services.
The current legislative restrictions on pricing and service diversification and operations restrict our ability to fully implement
our Business Plan and cover our costs of providing secure, reliable and affordable universal delivery service to the American
public.
As the debate on postal reform legislation continues in the closing days of the 113th Congress, a number of legislative reforms
are still urgently needed. Our key legislative requirements include:
• Require within the FEHBP a set of specific health care plans that would fully integrate with Medicare and virtually
eliminate the retiree health benefits unfunded liability.
• Adjust the FERS payment amount using Postal Service-specific demographic and salary growth assumptions and refund
any existing surplus.
• Adjust delivery frequency (six-day packages/five-day mail).
• Streamline governance model and eliminate duplicative oversight.
• Provide authority to expand products and services.
• Require a defined contribution retirement system for future Postal Service employees.
• Require arbitrators to consider the financial condition of the Postal Service.
• Reform workers’ compensation programs.
• Allow the Postal Service the right to appeal the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) class action
decisions to Federal Court.
Research and Development
We operate a research and development facility in Virginia for design, development and testing of postal equipment and
operating systems. We also contract with independent suppliers to conduct research activities. While research and development
activities are important to our business, these expenditures are not material to our financial statements.
Environmental Matters
Although we are required to comply with various federal, state or local environmental laws and regulations, none of these laws
or regulations have had a material impact on our financial results or competitive position, or resulted in material capital
expenditures. However, the effect of possible future environmental legislation or regulations on operations cannot be predicted.
New laws or regulations that regulate greenhouse gas emissions into the environment may increase our operating costs,
including the cost of diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline, retrofitting existing vehicles and other petroleum-related products.
Available Information
The Postal Service is not a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not subject to
regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). However, we are required under P.L.109-435 to file with the
PRC certain financial reports containing information prescribed by the SEC under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. These reports include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
Pursuant to Title 39 and PRC regulations, additional disclosures on the organization and finances, including Cost and Revenue
Analysis reports, Revenue, Pieces and Weight reports, financial and strategic plans, the Annual Report to Congress and the
Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations are also filed with the PRC.
These reports are available to the public on our website, http://about.usps.com, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable
after they are filed with the PRC. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. Requests for
copies of our reports may also be sent to the following address: Corporate Communications, United States Postal Service, 475
L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20260-3100.