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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new rule regarding emissions from mercury cell chlor-alkali plants. This proposal aims to address standards for mercury and chlorine emissions to ensure they do not pose an unacceptable risk to public health or the environment. The EPA suggests that current practices at the one remaining operating facility sufficiently minimize emissions through monitoring and work procedures, but is also soliciting comments on technological advances and more stringent measures, like prohibiting mercury use altogether. Additionally, changes are proposed for record-keeping, electronic reporting, and ensuring emissions controls are effective during startup and shutdown periods. Public input is requested to ensure standards are protective and realistic.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has finalized a rule that changes how relocation miscellaneous expenses allowances (MEA) are handled for federal employees. Previously, the lump sum amounts were listed in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); now, they will be published in FTR Bulletins, making it easier to update the amounts based on the Consumer Price Index. This change aims to provide more flexibility and accurate compensation for employees, but it may lead to a small increase in costs for the federal government. The rule also clarifies which expenses may or may not be reimbursed under MEA and ensures that the rules are easy to follow.

The final rule permanently adopts changes to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) made by the interim rule published in January 2020. It responds to public comments and adjusts several program aspects, including clarifying definitions, addressing eligibility requirements for agricultural and wetland easements, and enhancing conservation and land management practices. The changes, based on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, are intended to improve the program's efficiency, allowing for more flexible non-Federal cost-sharing and incorporating additional conservation planning. The rule emphasizes voluntary participation by landowners and seeks to enhance the conservation value of public investments.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is updating the definition of the term "healthy" as it applies to food labeling to align with current nutrition science and dietary guidelines. This new rule outlines what food manufacturers must meet to label their products as "healthy," focusing on food groups and limiting certain nutrients like added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. The rule aims to help consumers make better choices for maintaining a nutritious diet and to reduce diet-related chronic diseases. It is designed to ensure that foods labeled as "healthy" provide accurate and helpful information, promoting overall health and nutrition equity.

The National Park Service has issued a new rule allowing bicycles on approximately 20.6 miles of trails in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, effective January 22, 2025. This decision came after a public feedback process and an environmental assessment that concluded the expansion of trails for bicycles would not harm the area’s natural resources. The amendments designate specific trails for bicycle use and give the Superintendent authority to manage bicycle access if needed. The changes aim to enhance visitor experiences while ensuring the trails are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has finalized a rule updating its regulations for floating cabins on the Tennessee River System. These rules require that all existing floating cabins comply with safety and environmental standards and submit a permit application by October 1, 2029. The rule also clarifies electrical and wastewater standards, stating that floating cabin owners must follow all federal, state, and local regulations. If a cabin does not meet these standards, TVA may revoke the permit and require its removal from the river system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the regulations for emissions standards from Refractory Products Manufacturing under the Clean Air Act. The proposed revisions include adding new emission standards for certain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and updating standards to address the startup, shutdown, and malfunction of equipment. The proposal also suggests amending electronic reporting requirements to improve the tracking of emissions data. These amendments aim to enhance environmental protection by ensuring that emissions standards are met at all times and by enabling better monitoring and compliance.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for cleanup efforts at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California, focusing on Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone. This SEIS will explore new alternatives for soil remediation, as prior efforts have faced challenges like unattainable cleanup standards and false positive results in testing. The DOE seeks public comments on these plans during a 60-day scoping period and will hold two public meetings to gather input and discuss the proposed actions and their potential environmental impacts. The SEIS aims to ensure that the cleanup is thorough and complies with environmental regulations to protect public health and safety.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final decision to partially approve and partially disapprove Utah's plan to address regional haze, which affects air quality in national parks and wilderness areas. The EPA found Utah's plan partially insufficient as it failed to meet certain requirements, such as implementing stronger controls on emissions from specific power plants. Additionally, the EPA disapproved parts of Utah's plan addressing visibility pollution related to ozone levels from a 2020 submission. This ruling emphasizes the need for stronger measures to protect visibility and air quality in protected areas.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to partially approve and partially disapprove parts of North Dakota's regional haze plan (SIP) for its second implementation period. This decision was made because certain aspects of the plan, such as its long-term strategy and goals for reasonable progress, did not meet the necessary requirements under the Clean Air Act. Specifically, North Dakota relied on visibility thresholds that the EPA found unreasonable, which led to rejecting feasible and cost-effective controls on pollution sources like Coyote Station and Antelope Valley. However, other elements of the plan, such as calculations of visibility conditions and monitoring strategies, were approved.