Overview
Title
Federal Management Regulation; Designation of Authority and Sustainable Siting; Planned Revision
Agencies
ELI5 AI
In this document, the General Services Administration (GSA) plans to change some rules about how they decide where to put government buildings. They want to remove some words about being kind to the environment and being fair to everyone, based on guidance from the President.
Summary AI
The General Services Administration (GSA) is set to revise a rule concerning the Federal Management Regulation, titled "Designation of Authority and Sustainable Siting," which was initially announced on April 22, 2024. This revision aligns with Executive Order 14148, aiming to eliminate certain language related to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The affected regulation deals with the location of federal space or properties. The planned revision will be finalized with amendments announced in the Federal Register.
Abstract
GSA plans to issue a final rule revising the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) Case 2023-102-1, "Designation of Authority and Sustainable Siting" published on April 22, 2024.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question announces an upcoming change to a federal rule by the General Services Administration (GSA). This rule, titled "Designation of Authority and Sustainable Siting," was initially published in April 2024, and the GSA intends to issue a final revision in April 2025. The revision aligns with Executive Order 14148, which seeks to overturn prior executive orders and actions that were deemed harmful. Specifically, this revision will remove references to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion concerning the location of federal spaces or properties.
Summary
The GSA is preparing to update a regulation that impacts how federal spaces are chosen, removing certain language related to sustainability and diversity. The change aims to bring the rule in line with a new executive order. The document serves as an official notification for the impending revision and does not presently provide detailed changes or the implications of these changes, directing those interested to additional resources for more information.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several notable concerns and potential issues within the document:
Vague Language: The phrase "remove sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion language" lacks specificity, which could lead to confusion. Clearer communication regarding which exact language will be affected and the reasons for its removal would enhance understanding and transparency.
Missing Context: The document references Executive Order 14148 as the motivator for this change but does not explain what this order entails. As a result, individuals unfamiliar with the executive order might need to conduct additional research to comprehend the full context and implications of the revisions.
Cross-Referencing Needed: The document also references another Federal Register document (FR Doc. 2024-08452), but it does not provide clear information about its contents or relevance, potentially requiring readers to seek this external document for context.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
General Public
For the general public, these changes mean that federal properties may no longer be selected based on criteria previously related to sustainability and diversity. This could shift the environmental and social considerations of federal projects, affecting communities depending on these factors for environmentally-friendly and equitable resource allocations.
Specific Stakeholders
Environmental and DEI Advocates: Those interested in or committed to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) may view these changes negatively. The removal of such considerations might hinder efforts to promote environmentally-conscious and equitable federal site selection.
Government Officials and Agencies: Agencies involved in federal site planning and implementation will need to adapt to the revised rules, impacting how locations are selected and justified in the face of removed sustainability and diversity criteria.
Affected Communities: Communities that could have benefited from site selections prioritizing sustainability or equity might face disadvantages with these criteria excluded, potentially leading to reduced access to environmentally friendly initiatives and equitable resource distribution.
In summary, the planned revisions to this regulation signal a significant shift in policy prioritization that may impact how federal sites are selected, with broader implications for fairness, inclusion, and environmental stewardship across communities.
Issues
• The document is a notification of an upcoming revision and does not specify any financial implications, so it is challenging to assess potential wasteful spending based on the provided text alone.
• There is no information in the document that suggests spending favors particular organizations or individuals, as it merely announces a revision to a regulation.
• The phrase 'remove sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion language' is vague and may lead to ambiguity. Clarification on what specific language will be removed and the rationale for its removal would enhance transparency.
• The document references Executive Order 14148 for Justification but does not provide enough context for readers not familiar with the Executive Order, which may require them to seek additional information to understand the implications of the changes fully.
• The document references FR Doc. 2024-08452 (89 FR 29261) without providing direct information on how this document is related or its contents, which may require readers to cross-reference the Federal Register for context.