🧪EPA Extends Reporting Deadline for Chemical Health Data
In response to requests from stakeholders, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is amending the deadline for reporting pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Health and Safety Data Reporting rule, which requires manufacturers (including importers) of 16 specified chemical substances to report certain lists and copies of unpublished health and safety studies to EPA. Specifically, EPA is amending the deadline from March 13, 2025, to June 11, 2025, for one of the 16 chemical substances (vinyl chloride) and to September 9, 2025, for the remaining 15 chemical substances. The Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule requires manufacturers (including importers) of certain chemical substances to submit lists and copies of certain unpublished health and safety studies to EPA.
Learn More🌊Implications of Proposed Submarine Cable Landing License Rules
The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") takes another important step to protect the Nation's submarine cable infrastructure from threats in an evolving national security and law enforcement landscape by undertaking the first major comprehensive review of the Commission's submarine cable rules since 2001. This review seeks to develop forward-looking rules to better protect submarine cables, identify and mitigate harms affecting national security and law enforcement, and facilitate the deployment of submarine cables and capacity to the market. Among other things, the Commission proposes to adopt a three-year periodic reporting requirement for submarine cable landing licenses; in the alternative, the Commission seeks comment on shortening the current 25-year submarine cable license term or adopting a shorter license term in combination with periodic reporting. The Commission also proposes or seeks comment on codifying the Commission's legal jurisdiction and other legal requirements in its rules to provide regulatory certainty to submarine cable owners and operators. Additionally, the Commission proposes and seeks comment on appropriate applicant and application requirements to account for the evolution of technologies and facilities and changes in the national security landscape over the last two decades and to ensure the Commission has targeted and granular information regarding the ownership, control, use of a submarine cable system, and other things, which are critical to the Commission's review to assess potential national security risks and other important public interest factors. Further, the Commission seeks comment on improving the quality of the circuit capacity data and facilitating the sharing of such information with other Federal agencies. Through these proposals, the Commission seeks to ensure that the Commission is exercising appropriate oversight of submarine cables to safeguard U.S. communications networks.
Learn More📡FCC Proposes New Bidding Credits for AWS-3 Spectrum Auctions
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) seeks comment on changes to its rules regarding eligibility for designated entity bidding credits in auctions for licenses in the in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz (AWS-3) bands. The Commission also seeks comment on an update to its competitive bidding rules that would align this rule with the Small Business Act.
Learn More🔥Proposed Withdrawal of Determination for Miscellaneous Gas Products
As part of its implementation of the Executive Order, "Unleashing American Energy" (Jan. 20, 2025), the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is reviewing existing agency actions to ensure, among other things, that all regulatory requirements related to energy are grounded in clearly applicable law and that the American people's freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances is not restricted. As a result of this review, DOE is proposing to withdraw its prior determination that miscellaneous gas products ("MGPs"), which are comprised of decorative hearths and outdoor heaters, qualify as covered products under Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"). After further consideration of the relevant statutory authority and available information, DOE is proposing to withdraw its determination that MGPs are covered products under EPCA for which DOE is authorized to establish test procedures and energy conservation standards.
Learn More⚛️NRC Updates Spent Fuel Storage Regulations for HI-STORM 100 Cask System
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI- STORM 100 Cask System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Renewed Amendment No. 19 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1014. Renewed Amendment No. 19 revises the certificate of compliance to update the acceptance criteria and method of evaluation (MOE) for the HI-STORM 100 system tipover accident for equipment combinations involving multi-purpose canisters (MPCs) with Metamic-HT baskets. This involves applying a new stress-based criteria and completing new evaluations consistent with the new tipover acceptance criteria and MOE and involves some adjustments of the existing deflection criteria.
Learn More📋New Alien Registration Form and Compliance Requirements
This IFR amends DHS regulations to designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. Aliens who are subject to alien registration requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended ("INA") who have not yet registered may use this registration form to satisfy their statutory obligations. This IFR also amends DHS regulations to designate additional documentation that may serve as evidence of alien registration.
Learn More🍏EPA Establishes Metamitron Tolerances for Apples and Pears
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of metamitron in or on apple and pear. ADAMA AGAN c/o Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc. (d/b/a ADAMA) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
Learn More🌫️Approval of Updates to South Carolina's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) on September 26, 2023, regarding updates to the State's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) emissions trading programs. The SIP revision incorporates by reference (IBRs) certain amendments EPA has made to the regulations for the Federal CSAPR trading programs for annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) for large electric generating units (EGUs). EPA is approving South Carolina's September 26, 2023, SIP revision because it is consistent with EPA's good neighbor CSAPR trading programs and the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
Learn More🌬️EPA Proposes Changes to Alabama’s Air Quality Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) on December 20, 2023. The revision modifies the State's air quality regulations as incorporated into the SIP by changing the definition of "volatile organic compounds" (VOC) to be consistent with Federal regulations. The revision also addresses typographical errors and increases clarity and consistency with EPA's definitions and Alabama's Legislative Services Agency requirements.
Learn More🏭EPA Deletes Sites from National Priorities List Impacting Business
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the deletion of one site and partial deletion of three sites from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, created under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the States, through their designated State agencies, have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.
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