🌊Revised Water Quality Standards for the Delaware River Established by EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing revised water quality standards (WQS) largely as proposed for certain water quality management zones of the mainstem Delaware River under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Specifically, the EPA is promulgating a designated use of protection and propagation of resident and migratory aquatic life and corresponding dissolved oxygen water quality criteria for the mainstem Delaware River in Zone 3, Zone 4, and the upper portion of Zone 5 (in total, river miles 108.4 to 70.0).
Learn More🚬Deregulatory Action on Tobacco Product Floor Stocks Tax Regulations
In this final rule, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is removing regulations related to the 2009 tobacco product floor stocks tax. These regulations are no longer necessary because they implement a tax that applied only to specified articles held for sale on April 1, 2009, and was required to be paid on or before August 1, 2009. This deregulatory action removes 42 regulatory sections from TTB regulations.
Learn More⚛️NRC Proposes Approval of ASME Unconditioned Code Cases
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approves unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This action would allow nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components. These standards are set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, which are currently incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations. The NRC is requesting comments on this proposed rule.
Learn More📜PBGC Regulation Corrections
On August 15, 2025, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) revised its regulation on termination of single-employer plans. That document inadvertently failed to correctly format a list of requirements. This document corrects the final regulation.
Learn More⚓Temporary Safety Zone Established in Bridgeport Harbor
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of Bridgeport Harbor in the vicinity of the Bridgeport Harbor Station power plant demolition project site. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by using explosives for the demolition process of three coal-fired power plant boilers. When enforced, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Long, Island Sound or a designated representative.
Learn More⚛️NRC Updates Regulatory Guide on ASME Code Cases for Nuclear Plants
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approves unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This action allows nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components. These standards are set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, which are currently incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations.
Learn More🐢Proposed Regulations on Wildlife Conservation for Business Compliance
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise regulations issued under section 4(e) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) related to furthering the conservation of the following listed endangered species and threatened species: Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), bog turtle (northern distinct population segment [DPS]) (Glyptemys muhlenbergii), Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri), Desert tortoise (Mojave DPS) (Gopherus agassizii), Florida panther (Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi), and pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). We propose to amend or remove regulations concerning taking or commerce in the following 11 similarity of appearance species: Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra), Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri), Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti), Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi), bog turtle (southern DPS), cassius blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius theonus), ceraunus blue butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus), nickerbean blue butterfly (Cyclargus ammon), desert tortoise (Sonoran population), puma (=mountain lion) (Puma (=Felis) concolor (all subspecies except coryi)), and shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). We are proposing these changes to eliminate unnecessary regulations and to ensure that species treated as endangered or threatened under section 4(e) of the Act meet the three required criteria as directed in section 4(e) of the Act.
Learn More🌫️EPA's Determination on Ozone Standards in California
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the San Joaquin Valley, California area failed to attain the 1997 8- hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by its June 15, 2024 "Extreme" area attainment date. This determination is based on quality-assured and certified ambient air quality monitoring data from 2021 through 2023. As a result of this determination, the State of California is required to implement nonattainment contingency measures and the stationary source fee program required under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 185.
Learn More🌫️Proposed Expansion of Northern Wasatch Front Ozone Nonattainment Area
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a request to expand the boundary for the Northern Wasatch Front (NWF) 2015 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) nonattainment area (NAA). The request was submitted by the State of Utah on February 27, 2023. The newly expanded portion of the NWF NAA will have the same classification as the original NWF NAA under the 2015 ozone NAAQS and all applicable Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements will become applicable to the newly designated portion upon the effective date of the final action. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to the CAA.
Learn More⛏️Rescission of Mining Claims Regulations by Bureau of Land Management
This direct final rule rescinds a portion of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations that address Mining Claims Under the General Mining Laws--Surface Management--Operations Conducted Under Notices--Does this subpart apply to my existing notice-level operations.
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