🚫OFAC Sanctions Action Notice and Its Business Implications
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Additionally, OFAC is publishing updates to the identifying information of two persons currently included on the SDN List.
Learn More🌱USDA Notice
This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for extension of a currently approved collection titled: Agritourism Directory, from the Office of Management and Budget 0581- 0332. Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, AMS is responsible for conducting research to enhance market access for small and medium sized farmers. The role of the Local and Regional Foods Division of AMS is to facilitate the fair and efficient marketing of U.S. agricultural products. This information is used to populate the USDA's National Local Food Directories that assists customers looking to buy fresh local foods for their families to wholesale food buyers.
Learn More⚡DOE Extends Public Comment Period for Energy Storage Strategy Draft
On December 20, 2024, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice entitled "Notice of Availability: Draft Energy Storage Strategy and Roadmap." DOE is extending the public comment period announced in that notice, which currently closes on February 3, 2025, by 45 days. The comment period will now remain open until March 20, 2025, to allow additional time for the public to review and comment on the Draft DOE Energy Storage Strategy and Roadmap.
Learn More🐬NMFS Issues Incidental
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of six species of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, and for take of harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals by Level A harassment, incidental to construction associated with the New London Pier Extension Project at the Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London in Groton, Connecticut. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.
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