Search Results for keywords:"stakeholder engagement"

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board by the Port of New Orleans so that they can reorganize and expand the service area of Foreign-Trade Zone 2. They want to include St. Tammany Parish in addition to the currently covered areas of Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes in Louisiana. This expansion would allow them to better serve businesses needing foreign-trade zone status. Public comments on the application are open until February 3, 2025, with rebuttal comments accepted until February 18, 2025.

The Southwestern Power Administration, part of the Department of Energy, has updated its wholesale rate schedules for power services through Rate Order No. SWPA-87. Starting June 1, 2025, the new rate schedules will be effective until September 30, 2027, unless overridden. These rates, which cover various types of electricity services, reflect a 22.8% increase to meet revenue requirements, and are now pending final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The aim is to cover increased operational costs and ensure the repayment of investments in power infrastructure over a 50-year period.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of guidance documents related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. These documents were released quickly due to the urgency of the pandemic and are open for public comments in line with the FDA's good guidance practices. The guidance is accessible online and serves as the FDA's current recommendations, but they are not binding. Public health determinations and a national emergency declaration underpin this accelerated release.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the Department of Labor, has issued a notice requesting public comments on a new data collection initiative called the QCEW Business Supplement (QBS). This program aims to gather timely information about the U.S. economy to aid stakeholders and policymakers. The first survey will explore how businesses are adjusting post-COVID-19, covering topics such as telework and government assistance. Comments on the data collection process are requested by April 5, 2021, and the survey is expected to engage 150,000 respondents, requiring about 10 minutes each.

The Department of Defense is updating a rule related to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to transition property loss reporting to a newer, more integrated system called the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE). This change replaces the outdated Defense Contract Management Agency eTool application, which had several limitations. The new system is designed to be more efficient and secure. The rule doesn't introduce new requirements but aims to maintain or potentially reduce compliance burdens by utilizing the technology offered by PIEE.

The National Science Board (NSB) has announced meetings scheduled for February 11, 2025, at NSF headquarters in Alexandria, VA, and via videoconference. The meetings, which run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Eastern, will be closed to the public. Topics include reports from committees, discussions and votes on awards, and preparations for a possible leadership transition. For more information, contact Christopher Blair or Nadine Lymn at the NSB.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has decided to withdraw a proposed rule from October 29, 2024, concerning updates to procedures for waivers and safety-related proceedings. These updates aimed to clarify what is meant by "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety" in the waiver standards. The FRA cited resource constraints and existing guidance on the topic as reasons for the withdrawal but emphasized their commitment to engaging with stakeholders on rail safety issues. The FRA may consider similar regulations in the future and appreciates the input received from stakeholders during this process.

Nasdaq PHLX LLC filed a proposed rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission to adjust certain fees for its market data products based on inflation. The changes are intended to restore fees to their original real value, as many have not been updated for years and have decreased in real terms due to inflation. The adjustments will be phased in over three years, starting in 2025. The exchange claims this change is necessary to recoup investments made to enhance their products and maintain technology infrastructure, ensuring they continue to meet the needs of their customers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule that creates Class E airspace at Challis Airport in Idaho. This new airspace regulation starts 700 feet above the ground and is part of changing the airport operations from visual to instrument flight rules. It will help manage and safeguard flights as they take off and land by covering a 6-mile area around the airport with specific extensions north and east. This update, effective from June 12, 2025, ensures efficient and safe airspace usage without posing significant environmental or economic impacts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented a final rule to update the Class E airspace at Ottumwa Regional Airport in Iowa. This change is necessary due to the removal of outdated navigation equipment and aligns the airport's official name and coordinates with the FAA's aeronautical database. The modification aims to ensure compliance with FAA standards and support safe instrument flight operations. The rule is effective from February 20, 2025, and has been determined to have minimal environmental impact and economic significance.