Search Results for type:"Proposed Rule"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitats for four species of freshwater mussels: the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. These designations spread across 17 states in the United States, covering approximately 3,974 river miles. The critical habitats are aimed at protecting key environmental features essential for the mussels' survival, such as suitable water flow, quality, and host fish presence. The agency is inviting comments on this proposal until February 11, 2025, and has also released an economic analysis regarding the designations.

The proposed rule by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security mandates that rail carriers electronically submit export manifest data for trains leaving the U.S. This new regulation aims to enhance cargo security by requiring pre-departure information through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), improving risk assessment, and ensuring compliance with U.S. export laws. The rule also outlines the parties eligible to submit data and specifies timelines for data submissions to minimize the risk of undocumented and potentially hazardous cargo leaving the country. Additionally, the economic analysis suggests that the regulation could result in significant cost savings for both CBP and the trade industry by streamlining the export process and reducing reliance on paper documentation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to change the status of Furbish’s lousewort, a plant species, from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal suggests measures to conserve the plant, focusing on preventing harm due to climate change and habitat loss. Public comments are invited, and specific regulations are recommended to protect the species. This action is based on scientific findings indicating that the immediate threat to the plant has been reduced, but long-term challenges remain.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new rules to reduce hazardous air pollutants from chemical manufacturing processes, particularly focusing on ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions. Under this proposal, the EPA aims to introduce stricter monitoring, reporting, and emission reduction standards for facilities using, producing, or emitting EtO. The proposed changes are expected to impact 280 facilities, reducing overall hazardous emissions by about 158 tons annually and EtO emissions by approximately 4.6 tons per year. These measures are intended to mitigate health risks, including cancer, for those living near these facilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comments on draft lists of companies responsible for fees related to evaluating the risks of five chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These substances are labeled as High-Priority due to potential health or environmental risks. Companies that make or import these chemicals must self-identify to ensure they're correctly listed for fee payments, but they can also claim exemptions or correct errors. The final list, setting out those liable for fees, will be released alongside the risk evaluation's scope documents.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to update a previous Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This new proposal aims to include more restrictive airworthiness limitations necessary to maintain safety by revising existing maintenance programs. The FAA invites the public to comment on this proposed rule by March 1, 2021, as it is intended to address potential safety issues related to structural integrity and control of the aircraft. This proposal relies on airworthiness standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and would apply to airplanes with specific airworthiness certificates issued before June 1, 2020.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed a revised rule regarding the designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida hispida) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule specifies areas in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas as critical habitat and identifies essential features such as snow-covered sea ice suitable for birth lairs, sea ice for basking and molting, and primary prey resources like Arctic cod and shrimps. The proposal also considers national security impacts and suggests the exclusion of an area used by the U.S. Navy for training and testing activities. The NMFS seeks public comments on various aspects of this proposed designation to ensure that it is based on the best available scientific data.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing new hunting regulations for migratory game birds for the 2025-26 season. These regulations are part of an annual process where they set general guidelines, called frameworks, within which individual states can decide specifics like hunting season dates. The proposal includes various regulatory alternatives, particularly for duck hunting, and potential changes to the system of zones and split seasons. The Service is also exploring a new administrative process to streamline regulation, aiming to increase efficiency and save costs while maintaining conservation goals. Public comments are encouraged on all aspects of the proposal.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing a new rule to update its regulations by incorporating revisions to three regulatory guides related to Code Cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). These changes would provide new and updated engineering standards for nuclear power plant components, allowing licensees and applicants to use these standards as voluntary alternatives. The NRC is seeking public comments on this proposal, and if implemented, it is expected to reduce costs for both the NRC and the nuclear industry by simplifying compliance requirements. The aim is to ensure safety while aligning with contemporary engineering practices and international standards.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing changes to its fee schedules for fiscal year 2025 to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which mandates recovering nearly all of its annual budget through fees. The updates include amendments to licensing, inspection, and annual fees, and introducing a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants. This reduced rate is set to encourage the development and application of versatile, advanced nuclear technologies, aligning with recent legislative acts. Public comments on these proposals are invited until March 21, 2025.