🚧Final Federal Agency Actions on Texas Highway Projects
The FHWA, on behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by TxDOT and other Federal agencies that are final agency actions. The actions relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas. These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.
Learn More⚡Executive Order to End Subsidies for Unreliable Energy Sources
Executive Order 14315 addresses the phasing out of federal subsidies for unreliable, foreign-controlled energy sources. It emphasizes the need to eliminate market distortions caused by green energy incentives and mandates federal departments to review and amend regulations that favor these energy sources. The order underscores national security concerns tied to foreign energy dependency.
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🩺CMS Notice for Proposed Information Collection on CLIA Applications
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.
Learn More⚡Danske Commodities Seeks Export Authorization for Electricity
Danske Commodities US LLC (the Applicant or Danske Commodities) has applied for authorization to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to the Federal Power Act.
Learn More⚡Castleton Commodities Seeks Authorization for U.S.-Canada Electricity Export
Castleton Commodities Energy Trading LLC (the Applicant or CCET) has applied for authorization to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to the Federal Power Act.
Learn More🌍Executive Order 14312
Executive Order 14312 aims to revoke existing sanctions on Syria, signaling a U.S. policy shift towards supporting a stable and unified Syria. It enables heightened diplomatic engagement, anticipates lifting restrictions on exports and financial assistance, and emphasizes accountability for human rights violations while exploring avenues for business opportunities in the region.
Learn More⚡DOE Revises NEPA Procedures
This interim final rule substantially revises Department of Energy's (DOE) regulations containing its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a "purely procedural statute," DOE will henceforth maintain the remainder of its procedures in a procedural guidance document separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (DOE NEPA implementing procedures). Thus, DOE is revising 10 CFR part 1021 to contain only administrative and routine actions excepted from NEPA review in appendix A, its existing categorical exclusions in appendix B, related requirements, and a provision for emergency circumstances. DOE is revising appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 to align with DOE's new NEPA implementing procedures that it is publishing separate from the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 (formerly categorical exclusions) are now administrative and routine actions that do not require NEPA review. DOE is also revising 10 CFR part 205, subpart W, to remove the NEPA procedures from its Presidential permit regulations.
Learn More📋CMS Notice on Information Collection and Medicare Agreement
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.
Learn More⛏️MSHA Proposes Changes to Miner Training Regulations
MSHA proposes to revise its regulations to eliminate provisions that allow District Managers to require changes in, or additions to, training programs. The current regulations appear to violate statutory authority; the Appointments Clause, by vesting significant regulatory authority in District Managers; and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), by skipping notice and comment related to undesignated and unpredictable requirements.
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