🏭New Regulations for Energy Efficiency in Central Air Conditioners
This final rule amends the Federal test procedure for central air conditioners and heat pumps ("CAC/HPs") to incorporate by reference the latest versions of the applicable industry standards. Specifically, DOE is incorporating by reference the latest version of the relevant industry consensus test standard, AHRI 210/240-2024 (I-P) for the current test procedure for CAC/HPs ("appendix M1") for measuring the current cooling and heating metrics--seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2 ("SEER2") and heating seasonal performance factor 2 ("HSPF2"). DOE is incorporating by reference the new industry consensus test standard, AHRI 1600-2024 (I-P), for a new test procedure ("appendix M2") for CAC/HPs that adopts two new metrics--seasonal cooling and off-mode rating efficiency ("SCORE") and seasonal heating and off-mode rating efficiency ("SHORE"). Testing to the SCORE and SHORE metrics would not be required until such time as compliance is required with any amended energy conservation standard based on the new metrics. Additionally, DOE is amending certain provisions of DOE's regulations related to representations and enforcement for CAC/HPs.
Learn More🚗New Federal Standards for Child Restraint Systems by 2025
This final rule amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 225; Child restraint systems, and FMVSS No. 213b; Child restraint systems, to improve ease-of-use of the lower and tether anchorages, improve correct use of child restraint systems in vehicles, and maintain or improve the correct use and effectiveness of child restraint systems (CRSs) in motor vehicles. This final rule fulfills a mandate of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP- 21) requiring that NHTSA improve the ease-of-use for lower anchorages and tethers in all rear seat positions.
Learn More✈️FAA Proposes Airspace Modification for Battle Mountain Airport
This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace area designated as surface area, establish a Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth, and remove Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Battle Mountain Airport, Battle Mountain, NV. Additionally, this action proposes administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.
Learn More🛩️Proposed Class E Airspace Regulations at Blanding Municipal Airport
This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and revoke Class E airspace extending from 1,200 feet above the surface at Blanding Municipal Airport, Blanding, UT. Additionally, this action proposes administrative amendments to update the airport's legal description. These actions would support the airport's current instrument flight rules (IFR) operations that lack containment.
Learn More✈️FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for Bombardier Air
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of engine-driven pump hydraulic pressure hoses for hydraulic systems number 1 and 2 chafing against the pylon in the aft equipment bay. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the engine-driven pump pressure hoses for any damage and minimum clearance between the engine-driven pump hydraulic pressure hose and case drain, suction pressure hose, and surrounding pylon structure; and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More✈️New FAA Airworthiness Directive for Leonardo Helicopters Compliance
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of broken main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber piston rod eye ends. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MLG shock absorber piston rod eye ends, reporting the results of the inspection, and, depending on the results, replacing the MLG shock absorber assembly. It also prohibits installing certain MLG shock absorber assemblies unless specific requirements are met, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More🚁FAA Airworthiness Directive for Airbus H160-B Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of excessive axial play of the rotating scissors spherical bearings. This AD requires measuring the axial play of the rotating scissors spherical bearings and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action and reporting inspection results, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More✈️FAA Airworthiness Directive Impacts Helicopter Operators Compliance
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of vibrations of the yaw axis during a hover taxi. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the bolted joint between the cardan- pivot joint assembly and the tail rotor actuator piston rod and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing certain tail rotor actuators unless its requirements are met. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More📜Proposed Rule for SNAP Quality Control Handbook by USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Department) is issuing this proposed rule to formally incorporate by reference the FNS Handbook 310 into SNAP regulations. By doing so, the Department is ensuring that the public receives a notice and comment period prior to implementation of revisions to the Handbook, which is the standard operating procedure manual for conducting quality control (QC) reviews of SNAP cases. The Department also proposes to remove reference to FNS Handbook 311 until it can be incorporated by reference. The Department requests comment on these proposed provisions.
Learn More🌍Ohio's Air Quality Regulation Impacts for Businesses in 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the following portions of Ohio's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission for the Cleveland 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) Moderate nonattainment area: the base year emissions inventory, the reasonable further progress (RFP) demonstration, the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, and the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) program. EPA is proposing to approve these portions of the State's submission as a SIP revision pursuant to section 110 and part D of the CAA and EPA's regulations. EPA is also initiating the adequacy process and proposing approval of the 2023 motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) associated with the Cleveland Moderate ozone nonattainment RFP demonstration.
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