📈Increase in Annual Limit for Prioritized Patent Examination Requests
The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) includes provisions for prioritized examination of patent applications. Those provisions have been implemented by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in previous rulemakings. The AIA provides that the USPTO may not accept more than 10,000 requests for prioritization in any fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) until regulations setting another limit are prescribed. In 2019 and 2021, the USPTO published interim rules that expanded the limit on the number of requests to 12,000 and 15,000, respectively. The current final rule further expands the availability of prioritized examination by increasing the limit on the number of prioritized examination requests that may be accepted in a fiscal year to 20,000.
Learn More♻️Revised Compliance Deadlines for Coke Oven Emission Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking interim final action on revisions to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Coke Oven Batteries (COB) source category and the Coke Ovens: Pushing, Quenching, and Battery Stacks (PQBS) source category by revising certain compliance deadlines for standards finalized in 2024. Specifically, the EPA is amending the compliance deadlines for certain 2024 revisions to the COB and PQBS NESHAPs from July 7, 2025 and January 6, 2026, to July 5, 2027. The EPA seeks comment on this final action and will respond to comments received and revise this final action as appropriate.
Learn More🎆Temporary Safety Zone Established in Corpus Christi Bay by Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters with a 900-foot radius in the Corpus Christi Bay. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks launch. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.
Learn More📦ITAR Updates
The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update the entries for the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, pursuant to recent United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Further, the Department is updating the list of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and major non-NATO allies and is making other corrections and clarifications within the ITAR.
Learn More🎣New Regulation on Pacific Halibut Charter Fishing Stamps
This final rule authorizes fee collection for the Recreational Quota Entity (RQE) Program. A charter halibut stamp (stamp) is required under this final rule for every charter vessel angler, 18 years of age or older, for each charter vessel fishing trip in a given calendar day, or each calendar day during a charter vessel fishing trip that spans multiple days, who intends to catch and retain halibut on a charter vessel in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory areas 2C in Southeast Alaska and 3A in South Central Alaska. Persons who hold charter halibut permits (CHPs) must purchase electronic stamps from NMFS. Charter vessel guides are required to validate a stamp for each adult charter vessel angler intending to catch and retain halibut on a charter vessel fishing trip. This final rule is necessary to promote stability and economic viability in the charter halibut fishery and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), and other applicable laws.
Learn More🎇Temporary Safety Zone Regulation for Fireworks in Redfish Bay
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters in the Redfish Bay, Aransas Pass, Texas. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display launched from Conn Brown Harbor. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.
Learn More🌫️EPA Approves West Virginia's Regional Haze State Implementation Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the regional haze State implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by West Virginia (West Virginia, WV, or the State) on August 12, 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 taking this action pursuant to the CAA.
Learn More♻️Oklahoma Emissions Control Plan Approval
Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the CAA section 111(d) state plan submitted by the State of Oklahoma for sources subject to the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills Emission Guidelines (EG). The Oklahoma MSW landfills plan was submitted to fulfill the state's obligations under CAA section 111(d) to implement and enforce the requirements under the MSW Landfills EG. The EPA is approving the state plan and amending the agency regulations in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.
Learn More🌬️Proposed Amendments to Oklahoma NSPS Delegation by EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update federal regulations to reflect Oklahoma's current New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) delegation status and the mailing address for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The ODEQ has submitted updated regulations for the delegation of EPA authority for implementation and enforcement of certain NSPS. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NSPS promulgated by EPA, as they existed through June 30, 2023. The delegation of authority for implementation and enforcement applies to sources subject to the delegated NSPS, including those located in certain areas of Indian country as discussed herein.
Learn More🌍EPA Proposes Air Quality Rule Affecting Connecticut Businesses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Connecticut. These SIP revisions relate to the 2008 8-Hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The SIP revisions consist of the following: 2014 and 2017 calendar year periodic emissions inventories. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.
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