🚂Regulatory Changes on LNG Transportation - Business Implications
PHMSA, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration, is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations in response to the recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Sierra Club, et al. v. DOT, et al., No. 20-1317 (Jan. 17, 2025).
Learn More📈Regulation on Correction Methods for Retired Lifecycle Funds
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) amends its regulation regarding the method for correcting errors involving Lifecycle Funds that no longer exist. Specifically, it reverts to the use of a constructed share price to calculate breakage and the value of negative adjustments for errors involving Lifecycle Funds that no longer exist as of June 1, 2022.
Learn More⚗️EPA Enforces New Significant Use Rules for Chemical Substances
EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and are also subject to an Order issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. The SNURs require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use in the SNUR. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the conditions of that use for that chemical substance. In addition, the manufacture or processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the required notification; made an appropriate determination regarding that notification; and taken such actions as required by that determination.
Learn More🌬️New EPA Delegation of NSPS and NESHAP to Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) has submitted updated regulations for receiving delegation and approval of its program for the implementation and enforcement of certain New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for all sources, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NSPS and NESHAP promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as they existed through July 1, 2021. EPA is providing notice that it is updating the delegation of certain NSPS to LDEQ and proposing to approve the delegation of certain NESHAP to LDEQ. The proposed delegation of authority under this action does not apply to sources located in Indian country.
Learn More🦦New Regulations for Sea Otter Protection in Marine Construction
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from the U.S. Coast Guard, propose to issue regulations for the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of Southcentral Alaska, Southeast Alaska, and Southwest Alaska stocks of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) during pile driving and marine construction activities in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska. Incidental take of northern sea otters may result from in-water noise generated during pile driving and marine construction activities occurring for a period up to 5 years. This proposed rule would authorize take by harassment only, and no lethal take would be authorized. If this rule is finalized, we will issue letters of authorization for the incidental take of northern sea otters, upon request, for specific activities in accordance with the final rule for a period up to 5 years. We request comments on these proposed regulations.
Learn More🎆Temporary Safety Zone Established on Monongahela River
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Monongahela River from mile marker 68 to mile marker 68.5 in Rices Landing, PA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters from potential hazards during the Rices Landing Fireworks Display, for the activities planned on July 4, 2025. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the half-mile regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.
Learn More🌍Implications of New Air Quality Regulations for San Joaquin Valley
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the "2023 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request for the Revoked 1-Hour Ozone Standard" ("San Joaquin Valley Maintenance Plan" or "Plan") as a revision to the state implementation plan (SIP) for the State of California. The San Joaquin Valley Maintenance Plan includes, among other elements, an emissions inventory consistent with attainment and contingency provisions. The EPA is also proposing to find that the State of California's request to redesignate the San Joaquin Valley area from nonattainment to attainment for the revoked 1979 1-hour national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or "standard") for ozone ("1979 ozone NAAQS," "1-hour ozone NAAQS," or "1-hour ozone standard") meets all the Clean Air Act (CAA or "the Act") criteria for redesignation. Therefore, the EPA is proposing to terminate all anti-backsliding obligations for the San Joaquin Valley area for the revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
Learn More📡Proposed Rule on Foreign Ownership Policies for Broadcast Licensees
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), in which it seeks comment on or proposes updates to set clear expectations about the Commission's review in both common carrier and broadcast licensees and on other updates that apply only to broadcast licensees. With regard to common carrier licensees, the NPRM seeks comment on or proposes to amend the rules to codify existing policy regarding which entity is the controlling U.S. parent; codify the Commission's advance approval policy regarding certain deemed voting interests; require identification of trusts and trustees; extend the remedial procedures and methodology to privately held companies; add requirements regarding the contents of remedial petitions; require the filing of amendments as a complete restatement to petitions for declaratory ruling; and clarify U.S. residency requirements. For broadcast licensees only, the NPRM seeks comment on how the Commission should process applications filed by a broadcast licensee during the pendency of a remedial petition for declaratory ruling; and other foreign ownership considerations related to processing applications for NCE and LPFM stations. The NPRM proposes to make it easier for entities to understand and navigate the FCC's foreign ownership rules. The FCC believes that this proceeding will avoid inconsistent outcomes; reduce costs; and facilitate the Commission's public interest analysis.
Learn More🌍EPA Delegates NESHAP Authority to Oklahoma for Air Quality Management
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has submitted updated regulations for receiving delegation and approval of its program for the implementation and enforcement of certain National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for all sources, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NESHAP promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as they existed through June 30, 2022. The EPA is providing notice that it is taking final action to approve the delegation of certain NESHAP to ODEQ. The final delegation of authority under this action applies to sources located in certain areas of Indian country as discussed herein.
Learn More🌫️Air Plan Approval in Texas and Oklahoma
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule "Air Plan Approval; Texas and Oklahoma; Texas Regional Haze Plans for the First and Second Implementation Periods and Five-Year Progress Report; Oklahoma Regional Haze Plan for the First Implementation Period" that was published on May 23, 2025. The proposal provided for a public comment period ending June 23, 2025. The EPA is extending the comment period to July 23, 2025.
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