Search Results for keywords:"public health and safety"

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing an agreement with the State of Connecticut that would give the state authority over certain types of nuclear materials. This plan would transfer regulatory control of 104 licenses from the NRC to Connecticut, allowing the state to manage the use and safety of specific radioactive materials. Public comments on this agreement and its impact on health and safety are being solicited until April 18, 2025. The agreement is expected to take effect on September 30, 2025, if approved.

In Executive Order 13993, the President outlines changes to immigration enforcement policies in the United States. The order emphasizes the importance of setting priorities that protect national security, address challenges at the southern border, and safeguard public health and safety, while also ensuring fairness and respect for immigrant families and communities. It revokes a previous order, Executive Order 13768, and directs relevant government officials to review and adjust policies to better align with the new administration's values. Additionally, the order clarifies that it does not create legal rights enforceable against the U.S. government.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule aimed at increasing transparency and fairness in their civil enforcement actions. This rule ensures that individuals and companies receive clear notices about which laws and regulations apply to them and must be given a chance to respond before the agency takes any action with legal consequences. It also specifies that HHS cannot use guidance documents to impose binding requirements unless explicitly allowed by law and must rely on statutes and regulations when taking enforcement actions. The rule highlights the importance of fairness, especially avoiding "unfair surprise," and outlines how the Department should handle these processes to promote efficiency and clarity.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has revoked the DEA Certificates of Registration for Lona Bibbs-Walker, D.D.S., after finding that her continued registration would pose an imminent danger to public health and safety. The Georgia Board of Dentistry revoked her authority to practice dentistry, and evidence showed she failed to maintain accurate records and account for controlled substances. Despite these allegations, Dr. Bibbs-Walker did not request a hearing, leading to the default judgment against her and further supporting the DEA's decision to revoke her registrations. The decision highlights the importance of compliance with state and federal regulations for handling controlled substances.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has revoked the DEA registration of Xubex Community Pharmacy in Casselberry, Florida. This decision was made because the pharmacy dispensed controlled substances, specifically Schedule II drugs like oxycodone and hydromorphone, without prescriptions. The DEA considered these actions a threat to public health and safety, demonstrating that the pharmacy cannot be trusted to comply with legal requirements. Furthermore, the pharmacy did not request a hearing to dispute these conclusions, leading to the default revocation of its registration.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Interior Department announced amendments to the Pueblo of Santa Clara Liquor Code, which were adopted by the Tribal Council on December 13, 2024. These amendments aim to regulate the introduction, sale, and consumption of alcohol within Santa Clara Indian Lands to promote economic and social goals while protecting public health, safety, and welfare. The updated Liquor Code outlines various regulations, such as types of licenses, selling hours, and prohibitions against selling alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age. Additionally, a percentage of alcohol sales revenue will fund programs for alcoholism prevention and treatment. The changes will officially take effect on April 17, 2025.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to establish an agreement with the State of Connecticut, allowing the state to regulate certain radioactive materials and activities. This means Connecticut would take over regulatory authority from the NRC for specific materials, while the NRC retains control over others, such as uranium facilities and certain waste disposals. The public is invited to give their feedback on this proposed agreement by April 18, 2025. The final agreement, once approved and signed, is expected to take effect on September 30, 2025.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has denied two petitions for rulemaking (PRM-50-93 and PRM-50-95) submitted by Mark Edward Leyse. The petitions requested changes to regulations on emergency core cooling systems, arguing that current rules are not conservative enough based on experimental data. However, the NRC found existing regulations already provide sufficient protection for public health and safety and determined that the petitioner did not present enough new information to justify the requested changes. The denial concludes that amendments to the regulations are not necessary.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized a rule updating the list of select agents and toxins that could be used as biological threats, effective January 16, 2025. The changes include removing certain Brucella species from the list, updating the nomenclature for several agents, increasing the permissible limit for a specific toxin, and designating Nipah virus as a Tier 1 select agent due to its high risk of misuse. The decision to retain or modify agents like the botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium reflects considerations of public health, security, and regulatory compliance. These adjustments aim to align with current scientific understanding and reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining necessary security measures.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted an exemption to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on December 10, 2024, allowing them to conduct excavation support activities at the Clinch River Nuclear Site before receiving a construction permit. This exemption enables TVA to install support structures essential for safety during excavation but does not imply that a construction permit will be automatically approved afterward. The decision is based on ensuring no undue risk to public health and safety while considering defense and security measures. TVA claims that proceeding with these activities now will save time and costs and supports its commitment to early preparation for an eventual nuclear facility.