🌬️Air Quality Regulation Impacts on California Businesses and Compliance
Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking another action in a series of actions to revise the format of the former "Identification of plan" section for the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). Specifically, the EPA is adding the nonregulatory provisions and quasi-regulatory measures to the "Identification of plan--in part" section that the EPA established to provide for the phased transition of the California SIP to the revised format. The nonregulatory provisions and quasi- regulatory measures affected by this format revision have been previously submitted by the State of California and approved by the EPA. This action is the third in a series of actions intended to change the format for the entire California SIP.
Learn More🌬️EPA Approves Revision to Florida's Air Quality Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on August 15, 2023. The revision removes certain Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)-related definitions, and CAIR-related portions of certain definitions, in the Stationary Sources--General Requirements chapter of the Florida SIP because they have become obsolete. EPA is approving these changes pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
Learn More🔥Proposed Revisions to Oklahoma Open Burning Regulations
Pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Oklahoma submitted by the State of Oklahoma on November 25, 2024. The submittal addresses updates to the Oklahoma SIP, specifically, Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) Title 252 Chapter 100 Subchapter 13, Open Burning.
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.
Learn More💰Proposed Regulatory Amendments for Small Business Investment Companies
The U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA" or "Agency") is proposing to modify or remove from the Code of Federal Regulations ("CFR") regulations that are obsolete, inefficient, or otherwise unnecessarily impede the licensing of small business investment companies ("SBICs"). Many of the regulations SBA is proposing to remove apply to the repealed Section 301(d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, and certain other types of SBICs that SBA no longer licenses, such as Participating Securities SBICs and Early Stage SBICs. The removal of these regulations will assist the public by simplifying SBA's regulations in the CFR. In addition, SBA is proposing to amend its regulations applicable to subsequent fund applicants in order to streamline the licensing process for such applicants. SBA also seeks to remove certain barriers to investments in critical mineral extraction and processing and designated critical technologies. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4), a summary of this rule may be found https://www.regulations.gov.
Learn More🚧NEPA Regulation Revisions and Their Impact on Infrastructure Projects
FHWA, FRA, and FTA are publishing this interim final rule (IFR) to modify the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that apply to all three agencies to be consistent with the removal of regulations previously issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the amendments to NEPA included in the section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 known as the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act of 2023, and amendments regarding efficient environmental reviews included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This rule will become effective immediately while the agencies seek comment on what further changes may be appropriate.
Learn More⚡DOE Revises NEPA Procedures
This interim final rule substantially revises Department of Energy's (DOE) regulations containing its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a "purely procedural statute," DOE will henceforth maintain the remainder of its procedures in a procedural guidance document separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (DOE NEPA implementing procedures). Thus, DOE is revising 10 CFR part 1021 to contain only administrative and routine actions excepted from NEPA review in appendix A, its existing categorical exclusions in appendix B, related requirements, and a provision for emergency circumstances. DOE is revising appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 to align with DOE's new NEPA implementing procedures that it is publishing separate from the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 (formerly categorical exclusions) are now administrative and routine actions that do not require NEPA review. DOE is also revising 10 CFR part 205, subpart W, to remove the NEPA procedures from its Presidential permit regulations.
Learn More♻️EPA Adds New Sites to National Priorities List for Cleanup
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA" or "the Act"), as amended, requires that the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan ("NCP") include a list of national priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants throughout the United States. The National Priorities List ("NPL") constitutes this list. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the Environmental Protection Agency ("the EPA" or "the agency") in determining which sites warrant further investigation. These further investigations will allow the EPA to assess the nature and extent of public health and environmental risks associated with the site and to determine what CERCLA-financed remedial action(s), if any, may be appropriate. This rule adds three sites to the General Superfund section of the NPL.
Learn More🚧Coast Guard Establishes Safety Zone Around Francis Scott Key Bridge
The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for certain waters of the Patapsco River, in Baltimore, MD. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters at the Francis Scott Key Bridge during demolition and construction operations. This rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland- National Capital Region or a designated representative.
Learn More🎆Temporary Safety Zone for Fireworks Display on Potomac River
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Potomac River. The action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Fairview Beach, Virginia during a fireworks display on July 12, 2025. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.
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