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The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), under the Department of Energy, has issued a notice confirming and approving new Provisional Formula Rates for various services associated with the Central Valley Project. These rates, effective from March 25, 2021, to December 2024, cover Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) Services, Sale of Surplus Products, and updates to existing Energy Imbalance and Generator Imbalance services. The new rates aim to align WAPA’s practices with broader energy markets, manage costs efficiently, and ensure fair pricing for energy services in the Sierra Nevada Region.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized amendments to improve financial disclosure requirements under Regulation S-K. These changes remove the need for companies to provide Selected Financial Data and streamline the need to disclose Supplementary Financial Information. Additionally, they update the Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) rules to make financial statements more transparent and less repetitive. The goal is to help investors by making disclosures clearer and to reduce compliance difficulties for companies.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed a rule regarding the incidental taking of marine mammals during the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project. The Hampton Roads Connector Partners (HRCP) requested this authorization for expected disturbances to marine mammals over five years (2021-2026) due to construction activities like pile driving. NMFS outlines regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), including mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize impact, and invites public comments on the proposal. The rule includes provisions for issuing letters of authorization, monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management to ensure the protection of marine mammals during the project's duration.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disapproved a proposed rule change by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC concerning increased fees for certain market data and connectivity products. Nasdaq suggested increasing fees for firms that do not meet a minimum average daily displayed volume while maintaining lower fees for those who do. The SEC found that Nasdaq did not provide sufficient evidence that the proposed fees would be reasonable or fair, or that they would not harm competition. Additionally, the SEC was concerned that the pricing structure could unfairly disadvantage market participants who choose to trade on other exchanges.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed granting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to South Fork Wind, LLC, which would allow the company to take certain marine mammals incidentally during the construction of the South Fork Offshore Wind Project. This project involves pile driving and high-resolution geophysical surveys off the coast of Rhode Island, which may affect marine mammals. NMFS evaluated potential impacts to marine mammals, including endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, and proposed stringent mitigation measures, such as seasonal restrictions and monitoring, to minimize potential harm. Public comments are requested on this proposal, with the possibility of a one-year renewal under certain conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a new rule regarding California's Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the second implementation period. The EPA plans to partially approve and partially disapprove the SIP submitted by California. While the plan addresses some standards, such as monitoring and emission inventories, it falls short in areas like setting proper long-term strategies and progress goals related to visibility improvement. This proposed rule opens a discussion about the elements of the SIP that meet federal requirements and those that need further improvement.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised the air quality standards for sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to better protect the environment. The previous standard had a three-hour measurement period, but now it is an annual average over three years, limited to 10 parts per billion (ppb). The EPA decided to keep the existing standards for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter the same. This update comes after reviewing scientific evidence and public feedback to ensure the standards protect public wellness without being too strict.

The U.S. Department of Energy has decided to update energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. These changes aim to make the heaters more energy-efficient, leading to significant energy savings while being both technologically feasible and economically justified. Starting December 26, 2029, manufacturers will need to comply with these new standards, which are calculated to save energy and money over the lifetime of the heaters and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite potential minor increases in electricity use. The overall benefits include costs savings for consumers and emissions reductions, though there will be conversion costs for manufacturers to meet these standards.

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 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved a rule change by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to create a New Issue Reference Data Service for corporate bonds. This service will require underwriters to report specific data on new corporate bond issues to FINRA, which will then make this information publicly available. The goal is to reduce information asymmetry and improve market efficiency by ensuring all market participants have timely access to essential bond reference data. The SEC found that this change is consistent with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will enhance transparency and competition in the corporate bond market without imposing unnecessary burdens on competition.