More post offices may face cuts

[August 29, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of post offices being considered for possible closure to save money seems to be growing.

The Postal Service faces a potential deficit of $7 billion this fiscal year and has been looking for ways to save, including buyouts, spending cuts and closing offices.

In August, the service said 677 local branch offices were being studied for closing.

But Friday, in a letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission, the agency revised that number to "fewer than 750 stations and branches."

The letter contained no details on which offices may have been added, though it said the commission would be receiving more information next week.

Being on the list doesn't mean an office will definitely close, only that it has been named for further review in the process.

Currently the post office has about 37,000 retail outlets across the country and Postmaster General John Potter has said he wants to keep as many open as possible.

In addition to its other spending cuts the post office has asked Congress for permission to reduce mail deliveries to five days-a-week and to reduce the requirement that it contribute $5 billion annually to pre-fund medical costs for retirees.

[Associated Press]

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