🐋NMFS Issues Incidental Take Authorization for Alaska Ferry Terminal Project
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued three incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Prince William Sound Ferry Terminal Improvement Projects (PWS Projects) in Cordova, Chenega, and Tatitlek, Alaska.
Learn More🔬EPA's New Use Rules for Chemical Substances
EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and a Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN) and are also subject to an Order issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. The SNURs require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use in the SNUR. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the conditions of that use for that chemical substance. In addition, the manufacture or processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the required notification; made an appropriate determination regarding that notification; and taken such actions as required by that determination.
Learn More🌿Amendments to Air Quality Designations and Business Compliance in NC
The Environmental Protection Agency announces corrections to the air quality planning designations in North Carolina's CFR. Specifically, updates to the attainment status for Brunswick County and the removal of certain entries from the sulfur dioxide NAAQS table are detailed. These changes will impact regulatory compliance for affected businesses in the state.
Learn More🚗Rhode Island's Motor Vehicle Inspection Program Amendments Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Resources on December 20, 2023, that includes an amended regulation for the Enhanced Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program in Rhode Island. Overall, the submittal removes obsolete references, adds definitions, and clarifies the Rhode Island I/M program requirements, which consist primarily of conducting Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) testing. The intended effect of this action is to propose approval of the State's amended I/M program regulation into the Rhode Island SIP. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA has evaluated the SIP revision and has preliminarily determined the changes will not impact emissions under the Rhode Island I/M program. EPA is proposing to conclude that approval of the SIP revision will not interfere with attainment or maintenance of any National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) or with any other applicable requirement of the CAA. Therefore, EPA is proposing to determine that Rhode Island's December 20, 2023, SIP revision is consistent with the applicable provisions of the CAA.
Learn More🌊Proposed Revisions to NOAA Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA
A July 1, 2025, Notice in the Federal Register entitled "Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts" announced an update of Department of Commerce (DOC or Department) Administrative Order 216-6, "Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act," (NEPA) and NEPA implementing procedures specific to sub-components of DOC. As part of that Notice, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) solicited comments on proposals to establish new categorical exclusions (CEs) and amend existing CEs. The description of CEs in that Notice included several technical errors. This correction provides revised CE text and a new deadline for public comments.
Learn More🌍EPA Notice on Environmental Impact Statements and Business Compliance
The Environmental Protection Agency announces the availability of multiple Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and the periods for public comments. The notice highlights specific project details including the planning of grazing activities and transit corridor expansions, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and regulatory oversight for environmentally significant projects.
Learn More🌫️EPA Proposes Approval for Washington's Regional Haze Compliance Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by Washington on January 28, 2022, to address applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the EPA's Regional Haze Rule (RHR) for the regional haze program's second implementation period. The EPA is proposing this action pursuant to the CAA.
Learn More♻️EPA Notice on Emission Guidelines for Small MWC Units
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), NSPS for Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units Constructed on or before August 30, 1999 (EPA ICR Number 1901.09, OMB Control Number 2060-0424) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through July 31, 2025. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on August 6, 2024 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.
Learn More🌬️Texas Air Quality Control Technology Revisions by EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supplementing a proposed rule published on March 10, 2021, to approve revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning Nitrogen Oxide (NO<INF>X</INF>) and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for the Serious Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB), 2008 8-hour ozone National Air Quality Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) nonattainment area. Because of comments received on the March 10, 2021, proposal, we are providing additional analysis, in this proposal, regarding the RACT requirements which apply to sources of VOC in this area. Consistent with this analysis, EPA is proposing to determine that the Texas Rules meet the RACT requirements for sources of VOCs in the HGB Serious ozone nonattainment area for the purposes of the 2008 standard. The NO<INF>X</INF> portion of the RACT analysis in the March 10, 2021, proposal will be addressed in a separate action. The EPA is providing an opportunity for public comment on this supplemental proposal. Comments received on the March 10, 2021, proposal and this supplemental proposal will be addressed in a final rule.
Learn More🌍EPA's Interim Decision on Air Quality Regulations in California
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an interim final determination that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has submitted a Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act") state implementation plan (SIP) revision on behalf of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD or "District") that corrects deficiencies concerning the District's New Source Review (NSR) stationary source permitting program. This determination is based on a proposed conditional approval, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, of MDAQMD Rules. The effect of this interim final determination is to stay the application of the offset sanction and to defer or stay the action of the highway sanction that were triggered by the EPA's limited disapproval of MDAQMD Rules on June 30, 2023.
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