Search Results for keywords:"public safety"

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released new guidance to help federal departments and agencies comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) during emergencies. This guidance outlines alternative procedures for environmental reviews when emergencies require quick action and involve significant effects that would normally need an environmental impact statement. The document includes steps agencies should take during emergencies, including consulting with CEQ and coordinating with other agencies and governments to ensure public safety and resource protection are prioritized while complying with NEPA requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting public comments on a proposal to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget to renew an information collection related to commercial space transportation. This information helps determine if applicants meet the requirements for renewing a launch license to ensure public safety during reentry operations. The FAA uses this data to assess the compliance of reusable launch vehicle operators with public safety and other national interests. Approximately 5 operators are expected to respond, with an average time commitment of 1,127 hours per response.

The Department of Justice is inviting comments on the reinstatement of the Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, which collects data on background checks for firearm transfers. The program gathers information from state and local agencies about firearm applications, denials, and reasons for denials, and combines this data with national statistics from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. This enables the production of comprehensive statistics on firearm applications and denials. The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that 1,091 respondents will take part in the survey, with each spending around 25 minutes to complete it, resulting in an estimated total public burden of 455 hours annually. Comments will be accepted until March 16, 2021.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to renew vision requirement exemptions for 63 commercial vehicle drivers. These exemptions allow individuals to operate in interstate commerce with vision issues in one eye. The FMCSA concluded that continuing these exemptions maintains or exceeds current safety levels. No public comments were received during the announcement period, and the exemptions are valid for two years starting in December 2020, unless revoked earlier.

The President of the United States has issued a memorandum to extend and expand the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for certain residents of Hong Kong living in the U.S. This decision comes in response to actions by China, which have undermined human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. The memorandum allows eligible Hong Kong residents to stay in the U.S. for an additional 24 months and provides them with the opportunity to work. The memorandum excludes those who pose security concerns, have committed certain crimes, or recently returned to Hong Kong or China.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that an altered version of the Junín virus vaccine strain Candid No. 1 is now a select agent due to its increased virulence. Originally excluded from regulations because it was considered safe, the strain has since shown enhancements in its virulence due to specific genetic mutations. As a result, it is now subject to strict regulations to ensure public safety. This decision is in line with federal guidelines to manage biological agents that could pose severe threats to health and safety.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted a one-time exemption to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Unit 2. This exemption allows certain workers to follow less strict work hour rules for up to 21 days during early 2025 to complete necessary maintenance and repairs. The exemption aims to ensure plant safety and reliability while not endangering public health. TVA plans to complete critical testing and maintenance during this period to prepare the plant for higher power demands in warmer months.

SpecGx LLC has applied to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to become an importer of certain controlled substances. The company aims to import these substances for the purpose of manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, which will then be distributed to its customers. However, this registration does not automatically allow for permit applications to import these substances to be approved; approval will be granted only if the business activities comply with specific legal requirements. Public comments or requests for a hearing regarding this application are open until April 28, 2025, and can be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.