Landscapes planted with native, locally-adapted plants have wide-ranging benefits including ecosystem connectivity, soil health, water infiltration, and more. As adoption of native, locally-adapted landscaping grows nationwide, the availability of suitable seed, plant starts, and skilled, knowledgeable tradespeople to plan, install, and maintain these landscapes presents an obstacle. At the same time, harmful effects of climate change are already impacting communities, often hitting hardest for those already impacted by social and environmental inequities. In this webinar, convened speakers will discuss the growing need for skilled workers to grow, plant, and maintain native and rewilded landscapes; opportunities to work toward equity in frontline communities through workforce development and livable wage careers; climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and fostering a "deep bench" of local knowledge and skillsets; and more.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installation, and Environment within the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the nine winners of the 2023 DoD Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Awards. The annual DoD F&ES Awards honor Military Service and Defense Agency fire departments, fire officers, and firefighters for their exceptional achievements in emergency response, customer service, public outreach, innovativeness, quality-of-life initiatives, and health and safety initiatives.

A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to finalize a proposed rule to remove the Apache trout from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. (Congressional Record: 9 April 2024 [House] Pages H2250-H2251)

A bill to exempt certain entities from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 with respect to releases of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. (Congressional Record 11 April 2024 [House] Pages H2315-H2317)

A bill to amend the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to make improvements to that Act. (Congressional Record 21 March 2024 [Senate] Pages S2514-S2515)

A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify the definition of ``small refinery' for purposes of the Renewable Fuel Program. (Congressional Record 22 March 2024 [Senate] Pages S2596-S2597)

In this issue, readers will learn about many examples of the adoption of technology and systems that are reducing the Army's environmental footprint. Working closely with industry, the Army is introducing more efficient turbine engines, hybrid electric power plants, alternative energy generating systems, cleaner manufacturing, virtual technologies and other innovations.

A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to exclude certain populations of the lake sturgeon from the authority of such Act. (Congressional Record: 26 March 2024 [House] Pages H2119-H2120)

A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking for a trophy of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife in the United States and the importation of endangered and threatened species trophies into the United States. (Congressional Record 29 March 2024 [House] Pages H2128-H2129)

A bill to direct the Secretary of Defense to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Guam Environmental Protection Agency to conduct necessary environmental inspections at military instillations in Guam. (Congressional Record 29 March 2024 [House] Pages H2128-H2129)

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. This also includes the Clean Energy Rule for qualifying projects as defined by subpart B of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435. 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. Projects meeting the cost thresholds that trigger compliance with the Clean Energy Rule must also comply with both subparts A and B of the energy efficiency standards by first designing an efficient building (per subpart A) and then optimizing the design to reduce or eliminate on-site fossil fuel usage (per subpart B).

A bill to prohibit the procurement of certain items containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and prioritize the procurement of products not containing PFAS. (Congressional Record 21 March 2024 [House] Pages H1352-H1353)

A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking for a trophy of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife in the United States and the importation of endangered and threatened species trophies into the United States. (Congressional Record 22 March 2024 [House] Pages H1497-H1498)

The contamination of wastewater with pathogens has become an ever-increasing concern for wastewater treatment plant operators since the 2001 Amerithrax incident, 2014 Ebola outbreak, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. A better understanding of how these pathogens move through the wastewater system and effective measures for removing them from materials and waster is crucial. This webinar presentation will showcase research conducted at EPA's Test and Evaluation facility. It will discuss pathogen persistence in an activated sludge treatment system, methods for treating biosolids contaminated with heat-resistant spores (i.e., lime stabilization, composting, and incineration) and what conditions might contribute to pathogens surviving treatment. Lastly, the presentation will go over past and ongoing work on the characteristics and properties that govern bioaerosol emission from aeration basins at wastewater treatment plants.

EPA announced a suite of final rules to reduce pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants in order to protect all communities from pollution and improve public health without disrupting the delivery of reliable electricity. These rules, finalized under separate authorities including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, will significantly reduce climate, air, water, and land pollution from the power sector, delivering on the Administration's commitment to protect public health, advance environmental justice, and confront the climate crisis.

The EPA is amending specific provisions in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to improve data quality and consistency. This action updates the General Provisions to reflect revised global warming potentials; expands reporting to additional sectors; improves the calculation, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements by updating existing methodologies; improves data verifications; and provides for collection of additional data to better inform and be relevant to a wide variety of Clean Air Act provisions that the EPA carries out. This action adds greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting for five source categories. These revisions also include changes that will improve implementation of the rule such as updates to applicability estimation methodologies, simplifying calculation and monitoring methodologies, streamlining recordkeeping and reporting, and other minor technical corrections or clarifications. This rule is effective 1 January 2025. POC is Jennifer Bohman, Climate Change Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (MC-6207A), EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460; tele: (202) 343-9548; email: GHGReporting@epa.gov. (Federal Register 25 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 31802-31959)

In March 2023, EPA proposed and requested comment on the NPDWR and health-based Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals, and PFBS. The EPA is finalizing NPDWRs for these six PFAS. Through this action, the EPA is finalizing MCLGs for PFOA and PFOS at zero. Considering feasibility, the EPA is promulgating individual Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS at 4.0 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt). The EPA is also finalizing individual MCLGs and is promulgating individual MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA at 10 ng/L. In addition to the individual MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA, in consideration of the known toxic effects, dose additive health concerns and occurrence and likely co-occurrence in drinking water of these three PFAS, as well as PFBS, the EPA is finalizing a Hazard Index (HI) of 1 (unitless) as the MCLG and MCL for any mixture containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. Once fully implemented, the EPA estimates that the rule will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses. This final rule is effective on 25 June 2024. POC is Alexis Lan, tele 202-564-0841; email: PFASNPDWR@epa.gov. (Federal Register 26 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 32532-32757)

In 2021, as part the administrations climate agenda the President charged the Federal Government to lead by example by using its scale and procurement power to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Through Executive Order (E.O.) 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, and President's Federal Sustainability Plan, the Federal Government will achieve a net-zero emissions building portfolio from its 300,000 Federal buildings by 2045, including a 50 percent emissions reduction by 2032. To accelerate this transition, the White House Council on Environmental Quality's Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer developed a report highlighting proven and replicable net-zero strategies and best practices undertaken by Federal agencies over the past two years. These leading actions demonstrate how agencies are meeting the President's ambitious Federal sustainability goals while saving taxpayer money, creating good-paying jobs, and making communities healthier and more resilient.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is hosting its next Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar. Staff and leadership will dive into current and future funding opportunities, how the office is working with partners across the country and beyond, and other accomplishments, news, and updates since the last retrospective stakeholder webinar in November.

The summit is an opportunity for everyone to gather and exchange ideas about equitable access to healthy and sustainable communities. The summit is free and open to the public. The summit will convene representatives from communities; non-profit organizations; Tribes; professional organizations and advocacy groups; businesses; academia; and federal, state, and local government in the Mid-Atlantic Region. However, anyone interested in environmental and public health may attend the summit. Please help us spread the word about the event by sharing the attached flyer with your network and colleagues.

The EPA finalized a rule that strengthens its process for conducting risk evaluations on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These improvements to EPA's processes advance the goals of this important chemical safety law, ensure that TSCA risk evaluations comprehensively account for the risks associated with a chemical, and provide a solid foundation for protecting public health, including workers and communities, from toxic chemicals. The rule also includes changes to enhance environmental protections in communities overburdened by pollution, complementing the Administration's ambitious environmental justice agenda.

Executive Order 14906 titled: "Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All" included the establishment of an environmental justice (EJ) Clearinghouse. This clearinghouse is to be a public, internet-based, whole-of-government clearinghouse composed of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible materials related to environmental justice.The EJ Clearinghouse is a compilation of resources to assist EJ partners. EPA relies on the continued submission of proposed resources to be added to this EJ Clearinghouse. EPA continues to update and enhance this EJ Clearinghouse and welcomes suggestions to improve user experience.

Under the CAA the EPA is establishing new, more protective emissions standards for criteria pollutants and GHG for light-duty vehicles and Class 2b and 3 ("medium-duty") vehicles that will phase-in over model years 2027 through 2032. In addition, EPA is finalizing GHG program revisions in several areas, including off-cycle and air conditioning credits, the treatment of upstream emissions associated with zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in compliance calculations, medium-duty vehicle incentive multipliers, and vehicle certification and compliance. EPA is also establishing new standards to control refueling emissions from incomplete medium-duty vehicles, and battery durability and warranty requirements for light-duty and medium-duty electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. EPA is also finalizing minor amendments to update program requirements related to aftermarket fuel conversions, importing vehicles and engines, evaporative emission test procedures, and test fuel specifications for measuring fuel economy. This final rule is effective on 17 June 2024. POC is Michael Safoutin, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division (ASD), EPA, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; tele: (734) 214-4348; email: safoutin.mike@epa.gov. (Federal Register 22 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 29440-2983)

The EPA is promulgating new GHG emissions standards for model year (MY) 2032 and later heavy-duty highway vehicles that phase in starting early MY 2027 for certain vehicles. The phase revises certain MY 2027 GHG standards that were established previously under EPA's DHD Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles--Phase 2 rule. This document also updates elements of the Averaging Banking and Trading program, including providing flexibilities for manufacturers to support the implementation of the Phase 3 program balanced by limiting the availability of certain advanced technology credits initially established under the HD GHG Phase 2 rule. EPA is also adding warranty requirements for batteries and other components of zero-emission vehicles and requiring customer-facing battery state-of-health monitors for plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. In this action, we are also finalizing additional revisions, including clarifying and editorial amendments to certain highway heavy-duty vehicle provisions and certain test procedures for heavy-duty engines. This final rule is effective on 21 June 2024. POC is Brian Nelson, Assessment and Standards Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; tele: (734) 214-4278; email: nelson.brian@epa.gov. (Federal Register 22 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 29440-2983)

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to restructure and update the regulations to focus on current environmental and sustainability matters and to implement a requirement for agencies to procure sustainable products and services to the maximum extent practicable. Rule is effective on 22 May 2024. POC is Ms. Jennifer Hawes, Procurement Analyst, at 202-255-9194 or by email at jennifer.hawes@gsa.gov. (Federal Register 22 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 30212-30250)

(WASHINGTON, April 22, 2024) The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the nine winners of the 2024 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards. The awards have honored installations, teams, and individuals each year since 1962 for outstanding achievements in DoD environmental programs. These accomplishments include outstanding conservation activities, innovative environmental practices, and partnerships that improve quality of life and promote efficiencies without compromising DoD's mission success.

EPA is taking another step in its efforts to protect people from the health risks posed by exposure to "forever chemicals" in communities across the country. Exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule will designate two widely used PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, and will help ensure that polluters pay to clean up their contamination. This final action will address PFOA and PFOS contamination by enabling investigation and cleanup of these harmful chemicals and ensuring that leaks, spills, and other releases are reported. In addition to the final rule, EPA is issuing a separate CERCLA enforcement discretion policy that makes clear that EPA will focus enforcement on parties who significantly contributed to the release of PFAS chemicals into the environment, including parties that have manufactured PFAS or used PFAS in the manufacturing process, federal facilities, and other industrial parties.

On 31 August 2020, in accordance with requirements under the CAA, EPA performed a 5-year review of the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Other Solid Waste Incineration (OSWI) Units, which includes certain very small municipal waste combustion (VSMWC) and institutional waste incineration (IWI) units. In the same action, the EPA proposed to remove the title V permitting requirements for air curtain incinerators (ACI) that burn only wood waste, clean lumber, yard waste, or a mixture of these three types of waste. In response to supportive comments received on the August 2020 proposal, this action is finalizing, as proposed, to remove the title V permitting requirements for ACIs that only burn wood waste, clean lumber, yard waste, or a mixture of those, and are not located at title V major sources or subject to title V for other reasons. The EPA is finalizing this proposed action now to simplify the compliance obligations for owners and operators of these types of units. The effective date of this rule is 17 April 2024. POC is Noel Cope, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, EPA, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12055, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; tele: (919) 541-2128; email: cope.noel@epa.gov. (Federal Register 17 April 2024 [Rule] pages 27392-27397)

Join us as we kick off Season 2 of the i2X Solution e-Xchange webinar series. We are incredibly happy to announce the release of the DOE Transmission Interconnection Roadmap. This Roadmap identifies solutions to enable renewable energy interconnection processes to meet the expected demand from the rapid, widespread energy transition. Produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Innovation Interconnection e-Xchange (i2X), this roadmap serves as guide to key actions that stakeholders could take, within the next five years and beyond, to implement solutions to bulk power system interconnection challenges. Over the course of five meetings, the i2X team will delve into the goal areas and solution sets identified in the roadmap. This kick-off meeting will feature Will Gorman from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and will provide an overview of the roadmap and lay the foundation for our future, deep-dive conversations.

Learn about EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap and how EPA's Pollution Prevention program is harnessing the power of EPA Recommended standards and ecolabels to incentivize addressing PFAS in products and procurement. Additionally, hear from state agencies about how they are identifying PFAS in products and alternatives. Pollution Prevention Grantees will also share about their work reducing PFAS in products and manufacturing.

The Innovative Grid Deployment Liftoff report is focused on identifying pathways to accelerate deployment of key commercially available but underutilized advanced grid solutions on the existing transmission and distribution system to address near-term hotspots and modernize the grid to prepare for a wide range of energy futures.

The EPA Mid-Atlantic Summit is a one-day virtual event that is geared towards addressing environmental health topics relevant to the Mid-Atlantic Region. The summit is held annually and features an opening plenary with state environmental secretaries and concurrent sessions focused on various topics, including equity, environmental justice, sustainability, grant opportunities, and more.

Presenters have a combined two decades of experience helping landowners achieve their pond management objectives, whether it's growing bigger bass, treating aquatic weeds or keeping their ponds healthy and attractive.

EPA is finalizing changes to its test procedures required to be used by industries and municipalities when analyzing the chemical, physical, and biological properties of wastewater and other samples for reporting under the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The Clean Water Act requires the EPA to promulgate these test procedures (analytical methods) for analysis of pollutants. The EPA anticipates that these changes will provide increased flexibility for the regulated community in meeting monitoring requirements while improving data quality. In addition, this update to the CWA methods will incorporate technological advances in analytical technology and make a series of minor changes and corrections to existing approved methods. As such, the EPA expects that these changes will not result in any negative economic impacts. This final rule is effective on 17 June 2024. POC is Tracy Bone, Engineering and Analysis Division, Office of Water (4303T), EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; tele: 202-564-5257; email: bone.tracy@epa.gov. (Federal Register 16 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 27288-27327)

FAST 2024 is a three-day virtual conference that brings together GSA category and acquisition professionals with agency and industry partners to explore practical ways in which government and industry collaborate. This event will help government agencies access the capabilities and innovative solutions needed to stay on the cusp of emerging innovations and trends. More Information...

A bill to clarify that noncommercial species found entirely within the borders of a single State are not in interstate commerce or subject to regulation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or any other provision of law enacted as an exercise of the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce. (Congressional Record Volume 14 March 2024 [Senate] Pages S2400-S2401)

EPA develops an annual report called the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (Inventory), that tracks U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and sinks by source, economic sector, and greenhouse gas going back to 1990. EPA has prepared the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks since the early 1990s. This annual report, provides a comprehensive accounting of total greenhouse gas emissions for all man-made sources in the United States, including carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere by "sinks," (e.g., through the uptake of carbon and storage in forests, vegetation, and soils) from management of lands in their current use or as lands are converted to other uses. The gases covered by the Inventory include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride.

The Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

The 2024 updated interim guidance presents available information on the destruction and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and PFAS-containing materials. This update identifies available, effective and methods to remediate, dispose of and destroy PFAS contamination. It provides information on the current state of science and associated uncertainties for three large-scale capacity technologies that can destroy PFAS or control PFAS release into the environment: thermal destruction, landfills, and underground injection.?This guidance will help decision-makers select technologies based on characteristics of the waste and options available to prevent releases and keep PFAS out of the environment.??The primary audience of this guidance is decision makers who need to identify the most effective means for destroying or disposing of PFAS-containing materials and wastes. Fact Sheet: 2024 Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS (pdf)

EPA issued a final rule that will significantly reduce toxic air pollution from chemical plants, including ethylene oxide and chloroprene. EPA's action will advance the President's commitment to environmental justice by slashing more than 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution each year, dramatically reducing the number of people with elevated cancer risk due to toxic air pollution in communities surrounding plants covered by the rule. Once implemented, the rule will reduce both EtO and chloroprene emissions from covered processes and equipment by nearly 80%. A requirement for these facilities to conduct fence line monitoring for key toxic chemicals is included, and EPA will make the data publicly available to better inform and safeguard nearby communities.

DoD's Natural Resources Program (NR Program) supports the military's testing and training mission by protecting its biological resources. The NR Program's goal is to support the military's combat readiness mission by ensuring continued access to realistic habitat conditions, while simultaneously working to ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation's priceless natural heritage. The DoD Legacy Program provides funding for research to achieve the NR's Program goals. Past and upcoming presentations about these projects are located on the DENIX website.

The Wildlife Society's Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of wildlife professionals and supporters in North America. For over 30 years, TWS has hosted this unique and informative event that spotlights the latest advancements in wildlife management and research while providing abundant opportunities for networking and career advancement.

Because preservation is an interconnected practice, PastForward 2024 sessions and speakers will address three of our nation's biggest challenges: Creating Climate Resilience Through Historic Preservation, Ensuring a Representative Preservation Movement, and Encouraging Historic Preservation-Based Community Development.

Join the EPA on April 11, 2024, (2:00 -3:30 PM (Eastern)) for a webinar on the availability of nearly $24 million in grants to support states, U.S. territories and Tribes in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices. The webinar will review information about two Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for EPA's P2 program and the grant application process to help potential applicants submit a high-quality application to EPA for consideration. Time will be provided during the webinars for questions from participants.

On April 22, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Eastern) outside the Whitten Building (1400 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. USDA agencies, People's Garden, Xerces Society, and partners are joining together for an Earth Day celebration! Learn about the USDA Agencies' sustainability initiatives for agriculture and rural communities, connect with community partners, and participate in activities for all ages.

The I2SL Annual Conference and Technology Fair focuses on energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainability in laboratories and other high-tech facilities. Nearly 600 lab owners, operators, designers, engineers, managers, builders, and developers attend technical sessions, view Technology Fair vendors, network with peers, and visit lab sites.

This conference encourages civil engineering leaders to engineer, innovate, and lead. Common topics include AI, climate change, and workforce dynamics. Technical tours, pre-conference workshops, and and networking opportunities are available

The North American Hazardous Materials Management Associations Annual Conference is a gathering for individuals and companies working to reduce and properly manage hazardous materials from entering municipal waste streams from households, small businesses, and other entities. The Annual Conference provides attendees with the opportunity to Network, Train and Transform their careers and their organizations. Join them in Austin!

WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference, is the largest annual water quality exhibition in North America and offers water quality professionals with water quality education and training. The expansive exhibition provides access to cutting-edge technologies. WEFTEC serves as a forum for domestic and international business opportunities; and promotes invaluable peer-to-peer networking.

You will hear from people who experience the same challenges you do – and learn actionable solutions you can take back to your own community. Whether you are striving towards a professional certification or building your personal knowledge base to better serve your community, they offer hundreds of CEU sessions.

NTICC offers access to relevant training and an opportunity for Tribal transportation professionals to engage with federal officials and their Tribal transportation peers regarding Tribal transportation issues and challenges. NTICC provides information and resources for all who are committed to improving the transportation infrastructure of Indian Country and the safety of those who live, work, and travel the roadways of Alaska Native and Native American lands.

The Water Industry is always in flux -- innovative technology, new regulations or changing funding formulas. The WaterPro Conference offers a full range of educational opportunities that cover all aspects of the water/wastewater industry.

Join your peers to discuss energy management, decarbonization, energy efficiency, automation, data analytics, policy, supply, procurement, resiliency, sustainability, and more.

USFWS and the NMFS finalize revisions to portions of our regulations that implement section 4 of the ESA. The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing, reclassifying, and delisting species on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists) and designating critical habitat. This final rule is effective 6 May 2024. POC is Carey Galst, USFWS, Division of Ecological Services, Branch of Listing Policy and Support Chief, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, tele 703-358-1954. (Federal Register 5 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 24300-24335)

USFWS revise their regulations concerning protections of endangered species and threatened species under the ESA. They reinstate the general application of the "blanket rule" option for protecting newly listed threatened species pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act, with the continued option to promulgate species-specific section 4(d) rules. They also extend to federally recognized Tribes the exceptions to prohibitions for threatened species that the regulations currently provide to the employees or agents of the Service and other Federal and State agencies to aid, salvage, or dispose of threatened species. They also make minor changes to clarify or correct the existing regulations for endangered species and threatened species; these minor changes do not alter the substance or scope of the regulations. This final rule is effective 6 May 2024. POC is Carey Galst, USFWS, Division of Ecological Services, Branch of Listing Policy and Support Chief, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, tele 703-358-1954. (Federal Register 5 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 23919-23941)

A bill to provide for methane emission detection and mitigation. (Congressional Record 13 March 2024 [House] Pages H1179-H1180)

A bill to provide for methane emission detection and mitigation. (Congressional Record 13 March 2024 [House] Pages H1179-H1180)

This action finalizes the residual RTR conducted for the Commercial Sterilization Facilities source category regulated under NESHAP under the CAA. The EPA is finalizing decisions concerning the RTR, including definitions for affected sources, emission standards for previously unregulated sources, amendments pursuant to the risk review to address ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from certain sterilization chamber vents (SCVs), aeration room vents (ARVs), chamber exhaust vents (CEVs), and room air emissions, and amendments pursuant to the technology review for certain SCVs and ARVs. In addition, we are taking final action to correct and clarify regulatory provisions related to emissions during periods of SSM, including removing exemptions for periods of SSM. We are also taking final action to require owners and operators to demonstrate compliance through the use of EtO CEMS, with exceptions for very small users of EtO; add provisions for electronic reporting of performance test results and other reports; and include other technical revisions to improve consistency and clarity. We estimate that these final amendments will reduce EtO emissions from this source category by approximately 21 tons per year (tpy). This final rule is effective on 5 April 2024. POC is Jonathan Witt, tele: (919) 541-5645 and email:witt.jon@epa.gov. (Federal Register 5 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 24090-24203)

A bill to repeal section 115 of the Clean Air Act. (Congressional Record 19 March 2024 [House] Pages H1233-H1234)