Search Results for agency_names:"Agency Information Collection Activities

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is inviting public comments on the Small Dollar Loan Program (SDL Program) Application. This program, managed by the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, provides financial assistance to help institutions offer small, affordable loans and to promote financial inclusion. The Treasury seeks input on various aspects of the application process, including the appropriateness of grant sizes, transparency of required data, and adequacy of information requested to demonstrate the need for financial support. Comments must be submitted by February 4, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized technical corrections to rules concerning the regulation of hazardous waste. These adjustments clarify previous rules for entities such as waste generators and healthcare facilities. The changes address the handling of various types of hazardous waste, focusing on precise terms and regulations for different generator categories. The EPA also outlines responses to public comments and explains how these adjustments apply to states already authorized to manage their hazardous waste programs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to update the list of chemicals required for toxic chemical release reporting under two acts: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). This update adds nine specific chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), based on a Congressional mandate from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. These PFAS must be reported in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) starting with the 2025 reporting year. The rule is effective from February 5, 2025, and aims to improve public and governmental understanding of PFAS releases for better environmental management.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to seek approval to extend a currently approved information collection known as the Agritourism Directory. This directory helps small and medium-sized farmers enhance market access by listing working farms, ranches, and related operations that provide recreational and educational opportunities. The information gathered will be used to update the USDA's National Local Food Directories, which connect consumers and wholesale buyers with local food sources. Comments on the notice are invited and must be received by March 24, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to renew its information collection request for the Natural Gas STAR and Methane Challenge Programs. These programs are voluntary initiatives aimed at encouraging oil and natural gas companies to adopt technologies and practices that reduce methane emissions. The EPA is seeking public comments before merging this request with the existing one for the Natural Gas STAR Program. This renewal is necessary as it will streamline participation and simplify reporting processes for companies involved. Comments must be submitted by March 22, 2021.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on a proposed permit, the 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), which regulates stormwater discharges from certain industrial activities. The new permit, once finalized, will replace the existing permit set to expire on February 28, 2026, and will be valid for five years. The permit will cover specific types of industrial facilities in areas where the EPA has authority, with comments due by February 11, 2025. Notable changes in the new permit include updates to stormwater control measures, monitoring requirements, and the introduction of certain effluent limitations to address environmental concerns like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is renewing its request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue collecting information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This involves the NASA New Technology Reporting System, which requires contractors involved in research and development to report inventions, patents, data, and copyrights. The information is collected through an electronic system, and the burden on respondents is estimated in terms of hours and cost. NASA encourages public comments on the necessity, utility, and burden of this information collection.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to extend an information collection request related to technology partnerships for three more years. This request, filed under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, involves collecting reports from technology partnership ombudsmen at DOE national laboratories to assess the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques in technology transfer programs. The department is inviting public comments on this process, and these comments should be sent by March 17, 2025. The extension will ensure that valuable feedback is gathered to improve the program's efficiency and effectiveness.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is requesting public comments on a proposed information collection, as it seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This notice allows 30 additional days for public feedback on the information collection related to requirements for designating housing projects. The collection seeks to gather details from Public Housing Agencies on why certain housing projects should be designated for specific groups like the elderly or disabled, including justifications and potential impacts. Comments are encouraged to focus on whether this information is necessary, its accuracy, and ways to improve or ease the data collection process.

The National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This involves a revision of a previously approved data collection, aiming to ensure that funeral honors on VA properties uphold the dignity and safety of these sites. The public can share their thoughts on whether this information is necessary, how accurate the VA's burden estimates are, and how to improve the process. Comments are due by June 9, 2025, and can be submitted via the regulations.gov website.