A bill to amend sections 111, 169, and 171 of the Clean Air Act to clarify when a physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a stationary source constitutes a modification or construction. (Congressional Record 3 January 2025 [House] Pages H27-H36)

Now that you've benchmarked and understand your results, it's time to work on improving your building's energy performance. In this session, you'll learn about low-and-no-cost improvements that can help you reduce energy consumption and save money without significant capital investments. You'll also learn about a variety of free ENERGY STAR resources that are available to help you improve your energy performance. Finally, you'll learn how to connect with service provider organizations that can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals and earn ENERGY STAR certification for your building.

Reducing utility costs for your facility doesn't have to involve major retrofits or renovations. Significant water and cost savings can be achieved with small changes to operation and maintenance procedures and changes to user behavior. Learn about no- and low-cost solutions that can be implemented to start saving water in buildings right away, without the need for costly capital improvements.

Pine species play important ecological and economic roles across the southern US. Ecologically, pine stands create wildlife habitat and can improve soil and water quality, while economically, pine stands create timber and pulpwood products that bring tens of billions of dollars to local economies every year. But pines face several native and non-native insect pests that can cause damage and mortality. The southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis), Ips. spp., and the Nantucket pine tip moth (Rhyacionia frustrana) are a few of these pests. But what kind of problems do these pests cause in pine stands and what can be done to manage them? In this webinar, the presenter will give an update on pine pests impacting the southeast and discuss their biology, impact, and common management tactics.

EPA hosts webinars to share the Agency's progress on the e-Manifest initiative. Updates are also provided through the e-Manifest team's quarterly newsletter, which is sent out on our newsletter.

Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
January 27, 2021; Revoked by: EO 14148 20 January 2025
The EO has three overarching objectives 1) promote safe global temperature, 2) increase climate resilience, and 3) support financial a pathway toward low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. The EO reinstates the Presidential Memorandum of September 21, 2016 (Climate Change and National Security), establishes the Climate Policy Office within the Executive Office of the President and establishes a National Climate Task Force. In addition, the EO aims to use Federal procurement to support robust climate action including a carbon pollution-free electricity sector, no later than 2035 and clean and zero-emission vehicles for Federal, State, local, and Tribal government fleets.

COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors; Improvement Efforts
September 9 2021; Revoked by: EO 14174 21 January 2025
This EO promotes economy and efficiency in Federal procurement by ensuring that the parties that contract with the Federal Government provide adequate COVID-19 safeguards to their workers performing on or in connection with a Federal Government contract or contract-like instrument. These safeguards will decrease the spread of COVID-19, which will decrease worker absence, reduce labor costs, and improve the efficiency of contractors and subcontractors at sites where they are performing work for the Federal Government.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination; Requirement for Federal Employees (Final)
September 9 2021; Revoked by: EO 14174 21 January 2025
It is the policy of the Administration to halt the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, by relying on the best available data and science-based public health measures. Each agency shall implement, to the extent consistent with applicable law, a program to require COVID-19 vaccination for all of its Federal employees, with exceptions only as required by law.

Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
September 12, 2022; Revoked by: EO 14148 20 January 2025
This EO lists the administration's eight goals to guide implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and authorizes the new White House Office on Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation to coordinate that process.

Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All
April 21, 2023; Revoked by: EO 14148 20 January 2025
This EO states that every person in the Nation must have clean air to breathe; clean water to drink; safe and healthy foods to eat; and an environment that is healthy, sustainable, climate-resilient, and free from harmful pollution and chemical exposure. Restoring and protecting a healthy environment--wherever people live, play, work, learn, grow, and worship--is a matter of justice and a fundamental duty that the Federal Government must uphold on behalf of all people.

In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from President Donald J. Trump, entitled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," this action temporarily delays until March 21, 2025, the effective date of the regulations listed in the table below. EPA has initially identified 4 regulations that meet the criteria in the memo and may identify additional regulations in subsequent notices. As of January 28, 2025, the effective date of the rules published at 89 FR 102568 (12/17/2024), 89 FR 95034 (11/29/2024), 89 FR 106357 (12/30/2024), and 89 FR 107012 (12/31/2024), are delayed to a new effective date of March 21, 2025. POC is William Nickerson, Director, Office of Regulatory Policy and Management, Office of Policy, Mail code 1804, EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; (202) 566-0326; nickerson.william@epa.gov. (Federal Register 28 January 2025 [Rule] Pages 8254-8255)

Do you verify commercial building applications for ENERGY STAR NextGen? ENERGY STAR® NextGen is a new level of certification for U.S. commercial and multifamily buildings. It builds on the ENERGY STAR certification, available since 1999. ENERGY STAR NextGen-certified buildings are independently verified to be among the nation's most energy-efficient, low-emissions buildings. This webinar, based on the ENERGY STAR Guide for Licensed Professionals, covers the role of the licensed professional, as well as requirements for verifying commercial and multifamily building applications for ENERGY STAR NextGen.

Are you well-versed in the basic functionality of the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool and ready to take advantage of more advanced features? If so, join this webinar to learn about the tool's most advanced features, including using spreadsheet upload templates to update property data, setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties, creating custom reports, and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist. Attend this webinar if you're interested in learning about Portfolio Manager's most advanced features, including goal setting, custom reports, and more.

Build on your basic knowledge of EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool by taking a deeper dive into more advanced features, such as editing property data, correcting and updating property use details, using the data quality checker, and sharing property data with other users. Attend this webinar if you're interested in going beyond the basics of Portfolio Manager functionality and learning about property sharing, improving data quality, and more.

Join us to learn how to apply for Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR Recognition, the EPA's recognition program for design projects. We'll walk through benchmarking the project in Target Finder and Portfolio Manager, downloading the Statement of Design Intent (SEDI), and submitting the completed form to the EPA.

Join us as we introduce and demonstrate the core functionality of EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Attendees will learn how to navigate Portfolio Manager, add a property and enter details about it, enter energy and water consumption data, and generate performance reports to assess progress. Attend this webinar if you're interested in getting started with benchmarking, understanding how to assess your energy performance and generating reports.

Join us to learn about applying for ENERGY STAR certification in Portfolio Manager. Understand the value of the ENERGY STAR certification, see the step-by-step process of applying, and gain tips to help your property get from application to award.

Are you well-versed in the basic functionality of the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool and ready to take advantage of more advanced features? If so, join this webinar to learn about the tool's most advanced features, including using spreadsheet upload templates to update property data, setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties, creating custom reports, and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist. Attend this webinar to learn about Portfolio Manager's most advanced features, including goal setting, custom reports, and more.

Do you verify commercial building applications for ENERGY STAR certification? This webinar, based on the ENERGY STAR Guide for Licensed Professionals, covers the role of the licensed professional, as well as requirements for verifying commercial building applications for ENERGY STAR certification.

The Westervelt Company's Sustainability and Government Relations team will share insights into how a private land management company is navigating the realm of carbon in today's markets and socio-political climate. Westervelt is proud to be a leader in an industry that provides nature-based climate solutions and will discuss how they promote this facet of their business to policymakers, environmental organizations, and the general public. They will discuss some of their internal efforts in greenhouse gas accounting and available carbon accounting tools as well as emerging technologies in which they are engaged. They will discuss leveraging legislation and where policymakers can increase nature-based climate solutions to have tangible impacts on climate change.

Join us as we introduce and demonstrate the core functionality of EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Attendees will learn how to navigate Portfolio Manager, add a property and enter details about it, enter energy and water consumption data, and generate performance reports to assess progress. Attend this webinar if you're interested in: Getting started with benchmarking. Understanding how to assess your energy performance. Generating reports.

Are you a building owner who needs to comply with a state or local mandatory benchmarking requirement? Do you have little or no experience using EPA's Portfolio Manager tool? You've come to the right place! This webinar will serve as a beginner's guide to Portfolio Manager and provide you with all the essential "how-to" information you need to start benchmarking and reporting your building data to your local or state government. Topics will include understanding how state and local jurisdictions use EPA's Portfolio Manager tool to facilitate reporting and how to set up your Portfolio Manager account and properties, enter energy data, and report or share data with your jurisdiction.

Build on your basic knowledge of EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool by taking a deeper dive into more advanced features, such as editing property data, correcting and updating property use details, using the data quality checker, and sharing property data with other users. Attend this webinar if you're interested in: Going beyond the basics of Portfolio Manager functionality. Learning about property sharing, improving data quality, and more.

Please join EPA for two webinars this spring to gather input from interested parties on best practices for collecting large-format batteries to increase recycling, as well as labeling these batteries to improve collection and recycling. For purposes of these discussions, large format batteries are rechargeable batteries over 25 pounds or more than 2000 watt-hours and often used in electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles; other motive equipment; and stationary energy storage systems. This working session will provide an overview of the current policy landscape, attitudes, and trends around large format battery recycling. The EPA will share applicable findings from the small- and mid-format working sessions, and speakers will share their perspectives and lessons learned on managing large format batteries.

Please join EPA for two webinars this spring to gather input from interested parties on best practices for collecting large-format batteries to increase recycling, as well as labeling these batteries to improve collection and recycling. For purposes of these discussions, large format batteries are rechargeable batteries over 25 pounds or more than 2000 watt-hours and often used in electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles; other motive equipment; and stationary energy storage systems. This working session will focus on both recycling and refurbishing large format batteries. Speakers will discuss recycling capacity, recycler's needs, safety concerns, and other market issues. On the refurbishment side, speakers will explore the current state of the market along with associated challenges and safety practices.

EPA is finalizing amendments to the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings. This action revises national emission standards for the aerosol coatings (aerosol spray paints) category under the Clean Air Act (CAA), which requires control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from certain categories of consumer and commercial products for purposes of reducing VOC emissions contributing to ozone formation and ozone nonattainment. The regulation employs a relative reactivity-based approach to control aerosol coating products' contribution to ozone formation by encouraging the use of less reactive VOC ingredients in formulations. In this final rule, the EPA is updating coating category product-weighted reactivity (PWR) limits, adding new compounds and reactivity factors, updating existing reactivity factors, revising the rule's default reactivity factor, and amending thresholds for VOC regulated by the rule. The effective date of this final rule is 17 January 2025. POC is Kaye Whitfield, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division; tele: (919) 541-2509; email: whitfield.kaye@epa.gov. (Federal Register 17 January 2025 [Rule] Pages 5697-5718)

EPA is proposing to promulgate new methods and update the tables of approved methods for the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act requires the EPA to promulgate test procedures for the analysis of pollutants. Promulgating new methods and updating the tables of approved methods increases the quality and consistency of data collected for the purposes of the Clean Water Act. In this rule, the EPA proposes to add new EPA methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and add methods previously published by voluntary consensus bodies that industries and municipalities would use for reporting under the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The EPA also proposes to withdraw the seven Aroclor (PCB mixtures) parametersComments must be received on or before 20 February 2025. POC is Adrian Hanley, Engineering and Analysis Division, Office of Water (4303T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone: 202-564-1564; email: hanley.adrian@epa.gov. (Federal Register 21 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 6967-7037)

USFWS proposes to list the big red sage (Salvia pentstemonoides), a plant species from central Texas, as an endangered species under the ESA. This determination also serves as their 12-month finding on a petition to list the big red sage. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, they find that listing the species is warranted. If finalized this rule as proposed would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and extend the Act's protections to the species. They have determined that designating critical habitat for the big red sage is not prudent. This proposed rule does not mandate when a parameter must be monitored or establish a discharge limit. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 24 March 2025. POC is Karen Myers, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754; tele 512-937-7371. (Federal Register 21 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 7043-7056)

FEMP plays a key role in helping agencies understand and meet the federal building energy efficiency standards for agencies' new construction and major renovation projects. These standards include base building efficiency as defined in the CFR by subpart A of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435, commonly referred to as the "residential" and "commercial" rules, respectively. The Clean Energy Rule supplements both the base commercial and residential rules, transitioning new buildings and major renovations away from on-site fossil fuel derived energy consumption.

This webinar will discuss LBNL's report of the impact of implemented ESPC projects on the projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in the U.S. buildings sector, and the associated projected annual cost savings and marginal abatement costs. The analysis draws from the eProject Builder (ePB) database, which contains approximately 3,000 energy retrofit projects implemented by energy service companies (ESCOs), mostly energy savings performance contract (ESPC) projects. This report explores the role that energy retrofits can play in achieving GHG emission reduction targets given the use of ESPC by public agencies to reduce emissions from energy use in addition to the historical use of ESPC to achieve cost/energy savings and ancillary benefits (e.g., addressing deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure, etc.). This is the first report to model GHG emission reductions from ongoing ESPC projects in the U.S public sector based on ePB project data. It is intended for policymakers, federal, state and local government officials and other potential ESPC customers, the ESCO industry, researchers, and other energy policy professionals.

As we continue to welcome more people to public lands, finding ways to balance high quality visitor experiences with natural and cultural resource protection can feel daunting. The Visitor Use Management Training and Symposium is a great opportunity to connect with others from across the US and Canada who are developing innovative solutions and honoring tribal approaches and treaty rights to plan for and manage outdoor recreation in natural settings.

USFWS proposes to list the Clear Lake hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), a freshwater fish subspecies in the North American minnow family that is restricted to the Clear Lake watershed in Lake County, California, as a threatened species under the ESA. This determination also serves as their 12-month finding on a petition to list the Clear Lake hitch. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, they find that listing the Clear Lake hitch is warranted. Accordingly, they propose to list the Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species with protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"). If finalized this rule would add the Clear Lake hitch to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to this subspecies. We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 17 March 2025. POC is Michael Fris, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825; tele 916-414-6700. (Federal Register 16 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 4916-4941)

The Northwest Hydroelectric Association Annual Conference brings together hydropower stakeholders to foster connections, engage with colleagues, and learn about the state of the industry in the Northwest. WPTO and national laboratory staff plan to attend the conference to share their work and learn about some of the most exciting trends in hydropower.

This guide is provided to assist the regulated community in complying with regulations for trichloroethylene (TCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The guide provides an overview of the requirements set by the final rule, including important regulatory deadlines. While the EPA's rule will result in a complete prohibition of TCE, the prohibition will take longer to phase in for certain uses, and the rule sets strict workplace protection requirements for those uses in the interim. It is important for the regulated community to understand these compliance obligations. Being aware of and following these regulations correctly will reduce injuries and long-term illness. This guide is intended for persons who own or operate a business that manufactures (including imports), processes, distributes in commerce, uses or disposes of TCE. This guide may also be of interest to people who may be exposed to TCE in the workplace, as well as consumers, community members or anyone else that may be affected by exposure to TCE.

USFWS proposes to designate critical habitat for the San Francisco Bay-Delta distinct population segment (DPS) of the longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), a fish species from the San Francisco Bay estuary in California, under the ESA. In total, approximately 91,630 acres (37,082 hectares) in California fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. They also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the species. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 17 March 2025. POC is Donald Ratcliff, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Francisco Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife Office, 650 Capitol Mall Suite 8-300, Sacramento, CA 95814; telephone 916-930-5603. (Federal Register 15 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 3765-3783)

USFWS proposes to revise the listing of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the lower-48 States under the ESA. After a review of the best scientific and commercial data available, they affirm that the currently listed grizzly bear population meets the requirements for consideration as a distinct population segment (DPS) under the Act and that the population remains likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future. USFWS propose to revise the listing by defining the boundaries of the contiguous U.S. grizzly bear DPS. The revised entity would include all geographic portions of the currently listed lower-48 entity that contain suitable habitat and where grizzly bears are currently found or are likely to be found in the future as populations recover. Clarifying that the listing does not include areas outside of the grizzly bear's historical range will assist as recovery proceeds. USFWS are also proposing to revise protective regulations for the grizzly bear issued under section 4(d) of the Act. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 17 March 2025. POC is Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, #356 Corbin, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812; tel 406-243-4903. (Federal Register 15 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 4234-4276)

RCRA Compliance Assistance Presentations for Labs Consistent with all other regulated entities, federal labs must comply with regulatory requirements of the environmental statutes, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for solid and hazardous waste management (RCRA-C). EPA's Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (FFEO) developed a compliance assistance presentation to help federal labs comply with RCRA-C requirements. (see attached pdf FederalLabCAPresentation.pdf)

USFWS proposes to designate critical habitat for four distinct population segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) under the ESA. In total, approximately 760,071 acres (307,590 hectares) in California fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. They also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for four DPSs. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 17 March 2025. POC is Michael Fris, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825; tele 916-414-6700. (Federal Register 14 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 3412-3470)

USFWS proposes to list the two subspecies of the West Indian manatee, the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus), under the ESA. They have conducted status reviews for the two subspecies, and, as a result, they are proposing to list the Florida manatee as a threatened species with protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"), and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species, under the Act. These two listings would replace the current threatened species listing of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). This determination also serves as their 12-month findings on two petitions and as their completed 5-year review of the West Indian manatee. If finalized this rule as proposed would remove the West Indian manatee from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List), add the Florida manatee and Antillean manatee to the List, and extend the Act's protections to the Florida manatee and Antillean manatee. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 17 March 2025. POC is Gian Basili, Deputy State Supervisor, Florida Ecological Services Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256-7517; tele 904-731-3079. (Federal Register 14 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 3131-3160)

Guides on the use of perchloroethylene (PCE) for dry cleaning and energized electrical cleaning to help users and others comply with new regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The guides provide an overview of the requirements set by the final rule, including important regulatory deadlines.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) titled: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk. Executive Order 14030, directed the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to consider amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) require major Federal suppliers to publicly disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risk and to set science-based reduction targets. A proposed rule was published on 14 November 2022. The agencies lack sufficient time during the Biden-Harris Administration to finalize the proposal. In addition, the agencies' analysis of public comments indicates an evolving practices and standards in industry, and an evolving domestic and international regulatory landscape. Accordingly, this proposed rule is withdrawn, and the FAR case is closed. The proposed rule published on 14 November 2022, at 87 FR 68312 is withdrawn as of 13 January 2025. POC is Ms. Jennifer Hawes, Procurement Analyst, at 202-255-9194 or by email at jennifer.hawes@gsa.gov.

The USFWS is affirming as final the 2016 interim rule that added all species of salamanders from 20 genera to the list of injurious amphibians. Under the injurious wildlife prohibitions of the Lacey Act, this final rule prohibits the importation into the United States and shipment between the continental United States, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of any live or dead specimen, including hybrids and parts, of those 20 genera of salamanders, except by permit for certain purposes or by Federal agencies solely for their own use. USFWS takes these actions to protect U.S. ecosystems from the introduction, establishment, and spread of the lethal chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, which infects and is carried by salamanders, and which is not yet known to be found in the United States. This final rule affirming the 13 January 2016, interim rule and the interim rule set forth in this document are effective 25 January 2025. POC is Kristen Sommers, Injurious Wildlife Listing Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species; MS: FAC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; 571-329-2214. (Federal Register 10 January 2025 [Rule] Pages 2170-2221)

The USFWS proposes to add all species of freshwater mussels from two genera, Asian pond mussels (Sinanodonta species) and golden mussels (Limnoperna species), to the list of injurious mollusks. Additionally, the Service proposes to add marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) to the list of injurious crustaceans. Listing these taxa as injurious will prohibit the importation of any live animal, larvae, viable egg, or hybrid of these taxa into the United States, except as specifically authorized. These listings would also prohibit shipment of any live animal, larvae, viable egg, or hybrid of these species between the continental United States, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States, except as specifically authorized. The action is necessary to protect wildlife and wildlife resources by preventing the introduction and subsequent establishment of these foreign aquatic invertebrates into ecosystems of the United States. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 11 March 2025. POC is Kristen Sommers, Injurious Wildlife Listing Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species; MS: FAC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; 571-329-2214. (Federal Register 10 January 2025 [Rule] Pages 1922-1936)

The New Mexico Environment Department has fined Cannon Air Force Base $98,780 and threatens to revoke the installation's state operating permit over a 2024 spill of water tainted with toxic "forever chemicals." The state discovered in July more than 7,000 gallons of wastewater contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foam had leaked from a damaged retention pond. More than a dozen tears were found in the pond's liner, according to the Environment Department.

USFWS proposes to list the bleached sandhill skipper (Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), an insect subspecies from Humboldt County, Nevada, as an endangered species under the ESA. This determination also serves as their 12-month finding on a petition to list the bleached sandhill skipper. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, they find that listing the subspecies is warranted. Accordingly, they propose to list the bleached sandhill skipper as an endangered species under the Act. If finalized this rule would add this subspecies to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the subspecies. They find that a designation of critical habitat for the bleached sandhill skipper is not determinable at this time. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 10 March 2025. POC is Justin Barrett, Deputy Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Reno Fish and Wildlife Field Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502-7147; tele 775-861-6300. (Federal Register 8 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 1421-1433).

This action finalizes the Clean Air Act (CAA) technology review (TR) conducted for the commercial and industrial dry cleaning facilities using perchloroethylene (PCE) as the cleaning solvent (PCE Dry Cleaning) source categories regulated under National Emission Standards for Hazardous air Pollutants (NESHAP). This final rule does not finalize the changes made at proposal and makes no amendments to the current NESHAP given the recently finalized action under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) which has instituted a 10-year phaseout of the use of PCE for dry cleaning. This action is effective on 7 January 2024. POC is Reginald Goodwin, Mail Drop: D243-04, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12055, RTP, North Carolina 27711; tele: (919) 541-5313; and email: goodwin.reginald@epa.gov. (Federal Register 7 January 2025 [Rule] Pages 1041-1048)

USFWS propose to remove Ute ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. This determination also serves as their 12-month finding on a petition to delist Ute ladies'-tresses. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, they find that delisting the species is warranted. Their review indicates that the threats to Ute ladies'-tresses have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the ESA. Accordingly, they propose to delist Ute ladies'-tresses. If finalized this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, would no longer apply to Ute ladies'-tresses. They request information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule and the draft post-delisting monitoring (PDM) plan for Ute ladies'-tresses. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 10 March 2025. POC is George Weekley, Field Office Supervisor, USFWS, Utah Ecological Services Field Office, 2369 West Orton Circle, Suite 50, West Valley City, UT 84119; tele 801-239-0561. (Federal Register 7 January 2025 [Proposed Rule] Pages 1054-1078)

EPA announced the automatic addition of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory. TRI data is reported to EPA annually by facilities in designated industry sectors and federal facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use TRI-listed chemicals above set quantities. The data include quantities of such chemicals that were released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. Information collected through TRI allows communities to learn how facilities in their area are managing listed chemicals. The data collected is available online and helps to support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the public. Adding new chemicals to the TRI advances the Administration's environmental justice commitments by improving accountability and transparency for families, workers, and communities across the country.

EPA is updating the list of chemicals subject to toxic chemical release reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). Specifically, this action updates the regulations to identify nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that must be reported pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020 NDAA) enacted on 20 December 2019. As this action is being taken to conform the regulations to a Congressional legislative mandate, notice and comment rulemaking is unnecessary. This final rule is effective 5 February 2025. POC is Daniel R. Ruedy, Data Gathering, Management and Policy Division (7607M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-7974; email: ruedy.daniel@epa.gov. (Federal Register 6 January 2024 [Rule] Pages 573-577)