Search Results for keywords:"Economic Impact"

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board has authorized production activities for Robert Bosch Semiconductor LLC in Foreign-Trade Zone 143, located in Roseville, California. The Sacramento-Yolo Port District had submitted a notification to the Board about this proposed activity on September 30, 2024. After processing the notification and inviting public comments, the Board decided on January 28, 2025, that no further review was necessary and gave their approval, subject to existing regulations. This decision allows Bosch to produce silicon carbide wafers within the zone.

The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a notice seeking public and government agency comments on potential public interest concerns regarding certain passive optical network equipment. This comes after an administrative law judge's determination that a violation of Section 337 may have occurred, involving patents on this equipment. The Commission wants feedback on how any remedial orders, if violations are confirmed, could impact public health, the economy, and consumers in the United States. Comments are due by February 11, 2025, and must address specific issues such as the usage of the articles and possible replacements among others.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Federal Clean Water Act to amend the California Toxics Rule by establishing a revised selenium water quality criterion for certain freshwater bodies in California. This new criterion aims to protect aquatic life and wildlife that depend on these aquatic ecosystems from high selenium levels, which can be toxic. The EPA incorporated public feedback and scientific evidence into the rule, and it includes measures to account for site-specific conditions. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, unless California develops its own compliant standards.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has released a notice providing data and analysis regarding proposed energy conservation standards for portable electric spas, a type of hot tub. Public comments on this proposal are welcome until February 18, 2025, and can be submitted through various methods including an online portal, email, and mail. This notice builds on previous evaluations and incorporates comments from earlier related publications. The agency is examining the potential impact of such standards on both consumers and spa manufacturers.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that a petition has been filed to add potassium carbonate to the list of taxable substances. This substance, used in cattle feed, glass manufacturing, and as a food additive, is being proposed for taxation based on its production method and components. The petition, submitted by Occidental Chemical Corporation, suggests a tax rate of $0.36 per ton. The public is invited to comment on this proposal by March 24, 2025.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as mandated by several acts including the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. This rule mandates annual inflation adjustments to the penalties, starting from January 2026. Penalties for false claims against the government are increased to a maximum of $13,700 per violation. The adjustments are exempt from public notice and comment because they follow specific federal legislative requirements.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a final rule updating regulations for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program. This rule introduces new definitions, aligns regulations with current laws, and standardizes language across SBA's contracting programs to clarify control and employment requirements. Additionally, it modifies how SBA reviews certification applications and encourages consistency in regulation across various government contracting programs. These updates aim to reduce confusion and streamline processes without significantly impacting small businesses economically.

The Forest Service, part of the USDA, is seeking public comments on the reapproval or reinstatement of an information collection request related to the "Qualified Products List for Wildland Fire Chemicals." This process ensures that the Forest Service has access to safe and effective firefighting chemicals necessary for wildland fire management. Manufacturers or suppliers need to provide detailed information about their products, including ingredients and safety data, and undergo evaluations to meet specific safety and performance standards. Comments are invited on the necessity and efficiency of this information collection, and they must be submitted by February 18, 2025.

The Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration has postponed the preliminary determination in a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of paper file folders from Cambodia. This delay is due to a request from the petitioner, the Coalition of Domestic Folder Manufacturers, who asked for more time to analyze responses and issue further questionnaires. Originally, the determination was due by January 16, 2025, but it has now been extended to no later than March 24, 2025. This extension allows Commerce to ensure a thorough investigation process.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a final rule to include Saratoga County, New York, in the Jefferson, NY, nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area. This change is due to one employee working in Saratoga County and aims to address the employee's pay-setting considerations. The rule is set to take effect on January 13, 2025, and OPM anticipates minimal economic impact given the small number of employees affected. The regulation was subject to review and found to have no significant economic or federalism impact and does not impose additional record-keeping requirements.