🌍Approval of Air Quality Plans for Oklahoma Incinerators
Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is notifying the public that we have received CAA section 111(d)/129 negative declarations from Oklahoma for existing incinerators subject to the Other Solid Waste Incineration units (OSWI), Hospital/Medical/ Infectious Waste Incinerator units (HMIWI), and Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units (CISWI) Emission Guidelines (EG). These negative declarations certify that existing incinerators subject to the OSWI, HMIWI, and CISWI EG and the requirements of sections 111(d) and 129 of the CAA do not exist within specified jurisdictions in Oklahoma. The EPA is proposing to accept the negative declarations and amend the agency regulations in accordance with the requirements of the CAA. In addition, EPA is withdrawing its prior proposed approval of the Oklahoma CISWI plan revision due to Oklahoma's submission of its negative declaration for incinerators subject to the CISWI EG and its withdrawal of the CISWI plan revision.
Learn More🌾USDA Ends Race and Sex-Based Preferences in Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has independently determined that it will no longer employ the race- and sex-based "socially disadvantaged" designation to provide increased benefits based on race and sex in the programs at issue in this regulation. The USDA has faced a long history of litigation stemming from allegations of discrimination in the administration of its farm loan and benefit programs. However, over the past several decades, USDA has undertaken substantial efforts to redress past injustices, culminating in comprehensive settlements, institutional reforms, and compensatory frameworks. These actions collectively support the conclusion that past discrimination has been sufficiently addressed and that further race- and sex-based remedies are no longer necessary or legally justified under current circumstances.
Learn More🌍EPA Proposes Delegation of NESHAP Authority to Oklahoma DEQ
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has submitted updated regulations for receiving delegation and approval of its program for the implementation and enforcement of certain National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for all sources, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NESHAP promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as they existed through June 30, 2023. The EPA is proposing to approve ODEQ's requested delegation update. The proposed delegation of authority under this action applies to sources located in certain areas of Indian country as discussed herein.
Learn More💼Proposed Rule for Implementing the Administrative False Claims Act
This proposed rule would establish procedural regulations for the Administrative False Claims Act (AFCA) at the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). The Administrative False Claims Act is at 31 U.S.C. 3801 through 3812.
Learn More📈Increase in Annual Limit for Prioritized Patent Examination Requests
The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) includes provisions for prioritized examination of patent applications. Those provisions have been implemented by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in previous rulemakings. The AIA provides that the USPTO may not accept more than 10,000 requests for prioritization in any fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) until regulations setting another limit are prescribed. In 2019 and 2021, the USPTO published interim rules that expanded the limit on the number of requests to 12,000 and 15,000, respectively. The current final rule further expands the availability of prioritized examination by increasing the limit on the number of prioritized examination requests that may be accepted in a fiscal year to 20,000.
Learn More♻️Revised Compliance Deadlines for Coke Oven Emission Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking interim final action on revisions to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Coke Oven Batteries (COB) source category and the Coke Ovens: Pushing, Quenching, and Battery Stacks (PQBS) source category by revising certain compliance deadlines for standards finalized in 2024. Specifically, the EPA is amending the compliance deadlines for certain 2024 revisions to the COB and PQBS NESHAPs from July 7, 2025 and January 6, 2026, to July 5, 2027. The EPA seeks comment on this final action and will respond to comments received and revise this final action as appropriate.
Learn More♻️Oklahoma Emissions Control Plan Approval
Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the CAA section 111(d) state plan submitted by the State of Oklahoma for sources subject to the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills Emission Guidelines (EG). The Oklahoma MSW landfills plan was submitted to fulfill the state's obligations under CAA section 111(d) to implement and enforce the requirements under the MSW Landfills EG. The EPA is approving the state plan and amending the agency regulations in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.
Learn More🌬️Proposed Amendments to Oklahoma NSPS Delegation by EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update federal regulations to reflect Oklahoma's current New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) delegation status and the mailing address for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The ODEQ has submitted updated regulations for the delegation of EPA authority for implementation and enforcement of certain NSPS. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NSPS promulgated by EPA, as they existed through June 30, 2023. The delegation of authority for implementation and enforcement applies to sources subject to the delegated NSPS, including those located in certain areas of Indian country as discussed herein.
Learn More⛏️Proposed Rule on Deep Seabed Mining Regulations for Businesses
The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA or the Act) charges NOAA with the responsibility for issuing licenses for exploration and permits for commercial recovery of polymetallic nodules from the deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction and promulgating regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act. Some provisions of the regulations require updating to reflect significant technological and information changes since the initial regulations were promulgated in the 1980s. NOAA proposes to include a consolidated license and permit review process in a section of the regulations that was reserved for this purpose and make other changes.
Learn More🎣New Regulation on Pacific Halibut Charter Fishing Stamps
This final rule authorizes fee collection for the Recreational Quota Entity (RQE) Program. A charter halibut stamp (stamp) is required under this final rule for every charter vessel angler, 18 years of age or older, for each charter vessel fishing trip in a given calendar day, or each calendar day during a charter vessel fishing trip that spans multiple days, who intends to catch and retain halibut on a charter vessel in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory areas 2C in Southeast Alaska and 3A in South Central Alaska. Persons who hold charter halibut permits (CHPs) must purchase electronic stamps from NMFS. Charter vessel guides are required to validate a stamp for each adult charter vessel angler intending to catch and retain halibut on a charter vessel fishing trip. This final rule is necessary to promote stability and economic viability in the charter halibut fishery and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), and other applicable laws.
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