⚛️NRC Grants Entergy Exemption for Permit Renewal Timelines
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an exemption in response to a May 2, 2025, request from Entergy Operations, Inc., to allow the submittal of a renewal application for ESP-002 no later than 45 days prior to the expiration of the existing permit and still place the permit in timely renewal under NRC regulations.
Learn More🌱Incidental Take Permit Application for Polk County Fire Station
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Polk County Board of County Commissioners (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to the construction of a fire station in Polk County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on the Service's preliminary determination that the proposed permitting action may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for HCPs, which is available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More⚡Executive Order on Accelerating Data Center Permitting
Executive Order 14318 aims to expedite federal permitting for data center infrastructure essential for AI development, facilitating the rapid construction of significant projects. It defines qualifying projects, emphasizes financial support, and streamlines environmental reviews to boost American manufacturing and technology leadership.
Learn More🌍EPA Proposes Conditional Approval for Mojave Desert Air Permits
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing conditional approval of five permitting rules as a revision to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These are revisions to the District's New Source Review (NSR) air permitting program rules for new and modified sources of air pollution under the Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act"). The submitted rules address deficiencies identified in a previous limited disapproval action and incorporate other revisions related to the NSR permitting requirements. If finalized, this action will update the MDAQMD's current SIP with the revised rules. As a separate action in this Federal Register, we are making an interim final determination that will stay or defer the imposition of CAA sanctions associated with our previous limited disapproval action.
Learn More🌿Pierce County Flood Risk Reduction Structures ITP Application Notice
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), have received an incidental take permit (ITP) application from the Pierce County Department of Planning and Public Works (Pierce County; applicant), including a habitat conservation plan (HCP) for maintenance and operations of flood risk reduction structures in Pierce County, Washington. Pierce County submitted an ITP application and HCP pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) also received an ITP application from Pierce County and, concurrent with this notice, has also published a notice of availability for comment on the ITP application, the applicant's HCP, and, as the lead Federal agency under the National Environmental Policy Act, a draft environmental assessment (draft EA) analyzing the potential effects of issuance of the respective ITPs. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these documents.
Learn More🌊New NEPA Procedures for Army Corps Permits
This interim final rule removes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations, used for evaluating permit applications, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, and replaces them with a new regulation that also address requests for permission under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Further, the Army is also making conforming changes to its regulations to eliminate references to Appendix B and other NEPA implementation regulations. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters to inform Army's decision making.
Learn More🦋Notice of Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Learn More🌍New Jersey Air Quality Regulation Compliance Implications for Businesses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a revision to New Jersey's State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), for the purposes of incorporating regulations concerning permits and certificates for minor source facilities, and major source facilities without an operating permit. The intended effect of the NJDEP's revisions to the SIP is to regulate the construction and modification of stationary sources with adequate requirements to ensure that the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are satisfied. The NJDEP's revisions will strengthen the SIP by updating the Federal air permitting program to conform with the State regulations that were in effect at the time of the SIP submission, which will ultimately better serve the regulated community and help to protect the quality of air in the State. The EPA proposed to approve this rule on December 17, 2024, and received no comments.
Learn More🛢️Executive Order on Alaska Resource Development and Business Impacts
Executive Order 14153 focuses on maximizing the development of Alaska's natural resources, including energy, minerals, and timber. It aims to accelerate project permitting and enhance job creation while reversing prior administrative restrictions. The order emphasizes the importance of Alaska's resources for national security and economic prosperity.
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