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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized changes to the test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers and consumer clothes dryers. These updates include adjustments to the specifications of test cloth used in test procedures, such as clarifying the requirements for fabric weight and thread count, adding an alternative type of test cloth, and streamlining test cloth specifications for both washers and dryers. These changes, which aim to improve test consistency and adaptability to fabric availability, will be effective on February 18, 2025. Importantly, these amendments are not expected to increase testing costs or burdens on manufacturers.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is announcing the standard prices and the fee percentage for cost recovery for the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program for the 2024 fishing year, which runs from May 1 to November 15. The fee percentage is set at 3.00 percent, which is the maximum allowable by law, even though the calculated cost recovery rate was higher. These fees are used to cover management and enforcement costs and must be paid by February 15, 2025. The significant increase in program costs and the decrease in fishery value led to the higher calculated recovery rate.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a final rule that allows Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operators to use a specific spectrum band (5030-5091 MHz) for communication. This rule introduces Part 88, which includes service guidelines for obtaining temporary frequency assignments in this band, managed by dynamic frequency management systems (DFMSs) to ensure safe and efficient use. The rule aims to enhance the integration of UAS operations into controlled airspace by providing reliable communication channels necessary for safe operation. The effectiveness of the rule begins February 7, 2025, although some parts will be delayed pending further notice.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced an interim rule to help quantify, report, and verify greenhouse gas emissions linked with the production of biofuel feedstock crops grown using climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. This rule is part of an effort to provide standardized guidelines for farmers and other entities within the biofuel supply chain, aiming to boost participation in environmental service markets. By offering a more uniform approach, the USDA hopes to increase transparency and efficiency in tracking reduced-carbon intensity crops, potentially enhancing environmental benefits and market opportunities. Comments from the public will be considered by the USDA as they seek to finalize the rule, which remains open for feedback until March 18, 2025.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced the unclassified details of a potential arms sale. This involves the NATO Support and Procurement Agency buying maintenance and support services for their C-17 aircraft, at an estimated cost of $150 million. The sale is intended to enhance NATO's airlift capability and aligns with U.S. foreign policy goals of supporting NATO's security. The Boeing Company is set to be the principal contractor, and there will be no negative effect on U.S. defense readiness from this transaction.

The Department of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 fiscal year Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program. This program aims to fund projects that enhance educator skills through evidence-based practices, focusing on increasing educator diversity and providing quality professional development. Applicants, including institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, need to demonstrate a 25% cost match from non-federal sources and will be assessed based on their project's design, significance, management plan, and evaluation methods. The grants range between $1,000,000 and $6,000,000 annually, with applications due by March 18, 2025.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing to update more than 20 incorporated consensus standards in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This proposed rulemaking involves incorporating newer versions of technical standards, clarifying regulatory language, and making minor corrections to improve clarity without imposing new initiatives on pipeline operators. The changes will allow operators to use the latest technologies and practices in pipeline safety, while also aligning with federal policies to incorporate voluntary consensus standards. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 16, 2021.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various models of Airbus Helicopters due to concerns about engine compartment fires linked to aluminum firewall stiffeners. This rule requires replacing the aluminum stiffeners with titanium ones, as they are better at handling high temperatures. The directive, effective April 11, 2025, aims to prevent engine fires from spreading and potentially causing a loss of control of the helicopter. The rule assumes a cost for compliance, including labor and parts, and affects 35 helicopters registered in the U.S.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters due to a reported crack in the main rotor hub (MRH) sleeve. This directive requires regular inspections of certain MRH sleeves and restricts the installation of these sleeves unless they meet inspection requirements based on a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directive. The FAA aims to address this unsafe condition, as failing to manage it could lead to major structural failures and loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is accepting comments on this final rule until January 21, 2025, and the rule becomes effective on December 20, 2024.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the fiscal year 2021 adjustments to transaction fee rates under Sections 31(b) and (c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These fee rates are applied based on the total dollar amount of sales of certain securities, either on a national securities exchange or through members of a national securities association. The new fee rate is set at $5.10 per million dollars starting February 25, 2021. This rate aims to cover the SEC’s annual budget of $1,926,162,000, as specified in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.