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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has finalized a rule that amends the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan to introduce Amendment 8. This rule establishes a new Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rule that considers the role of herring in the ecosystem and prohibits midwater trawling within federal waters inshore from the U.S./Canada border to the Rhode Island/Connecticut border. The aim is to sustainably manage herring resources, addressing both overfishing risks and potential conflicts between different user groups such as commercial fishermen and ecotourism operators, while ensuring herring is available as essential forage for other marine species. These measures respond to the declining herring biomass and are expected to provide both ecological and long-term economic benefits, despite potential short-term economic impacts on the fishing industry.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to partially waive the 2024 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program due to a shortfall in its production. The plan suggests reducing the requirement to 0.88 billion Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) from the initial 1.09 billion. Additionally, the proposal requests feedback on whether to consider this reduction using both the general and cellulosic waiver authorities. The EPA also aims to extend the compliance deadline to accommodate refiners and blenders adjusting to revised requirements and proposes minor revisions to regulations regarding biogas in the RFS program.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to establish critical habitat for the San Francisco Bay-Delta distinct population of the longfin smelt, a fish found in California's San Francisco Bay estuary. This includes approximately 91,630 acres of land to help conserve the species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal outlines specific water conditions and habitat requirements needed for the smelt's survival. Public comments and economic analysis on the proposal are sought before finalizing the critical habitat designation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the rules regulating air pollution from the Oil and Natural Gas Sector. These changes focus on improving standards related to temporary flaring and the monitoring of heating value for certain emissions. The proposed amendments are a response to industry feedback, aiming to extend the allowable duration for flaring in certain situations from 24 to 48 hours and adjust monitoring requirements for emissions based on updated data provided by industry stakeholders. The EPA will accept public comments on these proposed changes until March 3, 2025.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a final rule to change how Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area boundaries are defined, making them more similar to those used for General Schedule (GS) locality pay areas. This rule, effective October 1, 2025, and impacting about 10% of FWS employees, aims to address pay disparities by reducing the number of FWS wage areas and aligning them more closely with GS locality pay areas. It is based on recommendations from the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) and is expected to result in pay increases for some workers while others may see little change or enter pay retention due to the restructuring.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted a final rule under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to improve transparency in the extraction industry. This rule requires companies involved in the extraction of oil, natural gas, or minerals to report payments made to foreign governments or the U.S. federal government for resource development. Companies must include details about the type and amount of payments, and this information must be presented publicly in a specific electronic format. The rule aims to deter corruption and promote accountability, although some exemptions and delayed reporting options are available to reduce the compliance burden on smaller companies.

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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations to allow the U.S. Navy to take marine mammals in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing Study Area. This modification permits additional takes of large whales due to vessel strikes. These regulations, effective from January 2025 to December 2025, mandate specific mitigation measures, like whale sighting notifications and limits on sonar use, to minimize impacts on marine mammals. The regulations were made after a thorough analysis and discussions with the Navy regarding potential impacts on marine mammal species, ensuring the activities have the least practicable adverse impact on these animals.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has responded to a court order by reviewing how its decision to reclassify broadband internet access affects public safety, pole attachments, and support for low-income consumers through the Lifeline program. The FCC decided to maintain the classification of broadband as an information service, emphasizing the benefits of regulatory certainty and innovation, despite some concerns about its impact on public safety and infrastructure. They concluded that the advantages of encouraging investment and innovation outweigh potential drawbacks, ensuring that the Lifeline program can still support broadband access for low-income Americans through carefully defined legal authority. Additionally, adjustments will be made to Lifeline rules, removing broadband as a standalone supported service while continuing to fund it as part of voice-broadband bundles.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a rule specifying the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The rule clarifies that the MBTA's prohibitions on actions like pursuing, hunting, capturing, or killing migratory birds apply only to deliberate actions directed at these birds, their nests, or their eggs. It explains that the incidental harm or death of birds resulting from activities not aimed at them is not covered under this law. This decision aims to provide legal clarity and reduce regulatory uncertainty for industries and individuals.