11.10.14

Hoeven: USPS Needs to Reevaluate Closing the Minot Mail Procession Center

Senator Highlights IG’s Report Recommending Review of Consolidations, Change in Service Standards Impacts

WASHINGTON – In a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, Senator John Hoeven said the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) needs to reevaluate its decision to consolidate the Minot Area Mail Processing (AMP) center. The senator’s comments come in light of the city’s continuing growth and a new internal USPS study finding that the impacts of consolidation and a new service standard have been inadequately studied, including in Minot.

“The Postal Service is in difficult financial straits, so it makes sense to consolidate facilities when the post office can save money and still maintain services,” Hoeven said. “North Dakota, however, is enjoying an unprecedented period of economic and demographic growth, and that means facilities like the Minot processing center need to stay open to provide reliable and adequate postal services to sustain that growth. The USPS Inspector General’s report shows that the USPS could have done a better job of studying the impacts of consolidation, and, in light of this finding, I urge you to reevaluate the consolidation of the Minot facility.”

Throughout his service in the U.S. Senate, Hoeven has been working to ensure that the USPS consider and meet the needs of North Dakota communities, especially in the rapidly growing western portion of the state, as the agency works to solve its financial issues.

In his letter, Hoeven pointed to an internal USPS Inspector General’s report issued in October that revealed significant concerns regarding the Postal Service’s diligence in finalizing the service standard changes. The senator called on Donahoe to adopt the report’s recommendations, including making information about proposed changes public in affected communities, taking public comments and allowing public review of feasibility studies and impacts prior to implementing system changes.

Senator Hoeven’s letter can be found here. The Inspector General’s report can be found here.