Postal Service tries again for rate hike

The commission rejected that request on Sept. 30.

The Postal Service said it will ask a federal court of appeals in Washington to review the commission’s interpretation of the law that governs how prices can be set.

The agency argues that the commission misread the statute and applied an incorrect standard in evaluating the request for a price increase.

“We have a fundamental disagreement with the PRC’s interpretation of the law,’’ Postmaster General John E. Potter said in a prepared statement. “This action is an investment in our future. We need to understand and define the rules under the current law should the Postal Service find itself in a similar situation in the future.’’

According to the Postal Service, the rate increase would generate about $2.3 billion in added annual revenue.

The agency is facing a $6 billion loss and has cut staff, taken steps to close offices, and asked Congress for permission to reduce mail delivery to five days a week. The Postal Service is an arm of the federal government but does not receive tax dollars for its operations.