Search Results for keywords:"public engagement"

The Copyright Royalty Judges are starting a process to adjust the fees for cable companies who want to retransmit TV and radio broadcasts, as outlined in the Copyright Act. This process involves a specific license that allows for such retransmissions, and cable companies have to pay royalties based on the money they make from subscribers. The new rates need to be adjusted every five years, and since no one requested a change for 2025 yet, the Judges are required to announce this process and are asking interested parties to submit their requests to participate by January 27, 2025, using an online form and paying a fee.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket, which keeps track of federal facilities that handle hazardous waste. Under a law called CERCLA, the EPA must maintain this list to identify facilities that may need environmental cleanup. The latest update includes information about two new facilities added to the list, but no facilities were deleted or corrected since the last update. The goal of this Docket is to ensure that all federal facilities are evaluated for potential environmental risks and that this information is accessible to the public.

The National Institutes of Health is announcing a closed meeting of the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council. The meeting, scheduled for April 24, 2025, will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will focus on reviewing and evaluating grant applications. It will be held at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Rockville, MD, using video assistance. The meeting will be closed to the public to protect confidential information and personal privacy. Interested individuals can submit written comments to Dr. Kelly Y. Poe at least 10 days before the meeting.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing changes to the Federal Management Regulation to improve how federal real estate is managed and disposed of, aligning it with existing laws. This involves adding new definitions, policies, and guidelines to aid federal agencies in understanding their roles when dealing with real property. These changes aim to enhance efficiency and reduce costs by better managing unused government-owned land and buildings. The proposal is open for public comments until February 21, 2025.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other federal agencies have made final decisions regarding the State Route 400 Express Lanes project in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, which involves adding new express lanes to improve traffic flow and travel reliability on a 16-mile segment. The project extends from the North Springs MARTA station in Fulton County to just beyond McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County. FHWA's Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) supports the selected plan, and details are available online and at local libraries. The public has until July 12, 2021, to file any legal claims related to this decision.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public comments on its request to extend the approval for the collection of information related to the Coast Guard Exchange System Scholarship Application. This request is in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information is used to evaluate and rank scholarship applications for dependents of Coast Guard members and employees. The public can submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal before February 11, 2021, citing the OMB Control Number 1625-0119 and docket number USCG-2020-0664.

The Southwestern Power Administration filed a tariff submission on December 19, 2024, which concerns the Upper Great Plains Region Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program Eastern Division under the Western Area Power Administration. The tariff is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. Those wishing to intervene or protest this filing must submit their comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 21, 2025. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) encourages electronic filing of comments and provides assistance through their Office of Public Participation for those needing help with the process.

Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. has applied to construct and operate new facilities, called the Cedar Vale Compressor Station Project, in Oklahoma to increase natural gas delivery to Kansas and Missouri. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) plans to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the project and set a review schedule, with the EA expected by July 31, 2025, and a federal authorization decision by October 29, 2025. The project will include a turbine compressor unit, associated piping, and other facilities. Public engagement and comment opportunities are available, with support from FERC's Office of Public Participation.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is asking for feedback on three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) that could be important for energy access and connectivity across certain regions. These include the Tribal Energy Access Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor. The DOE is interested in public opinion on the potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts of these projects and has scheduled webinars in January 2025 to discuss them. Suggestions will help fine-tune the projects and determine if any environmental review is necessary under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a virtual meeting for the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB) scheduled for January 10, 2025. The meeting will focus on reviewing and discussing the Federal ocean exploration program, emphasizing three areas: ensuring a national program for ocean exploration, technological innovation and application, and public engagement and education. During the meeting, the OEAB will validate and potentially approve their findings and recommendations, which will then be shared with NOAA leadership. The public can attend the meeting online, and details will be available on the OEAB website.