USFWS announce findings that seven species are not warranted for listing as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this time to list Edison's ascyrum (Hypericum edisonianum), Florida (lowland) loosestrife (Lythrum flagellare), Florida pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitu), mimic cavesnail (Phreatodrobia imitata), northern cavefish (Amblyopsis spelaea), smallscale darter (Etheostoma microlepidum), and Texas troglobitic water slater (Lirceolus smithii). However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of any of the species mentioned above or their habitats. The findings in this document were made on 29 November 2023. See Federal Register for listed species POCs. (Federal Register 29 November 2023 [Proposed Rule] Pages 83368-83377)

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is pleased to announce the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). Led by USGCRP and its 14 member agencies, NCA5 draws on the expertise of nearly 500 authors and 250 contributors from every state, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCA5 is the most up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of climate change in the United States, providing authoritative, decision-relevant information on how people across the country are experiencing climate change, the risks we face now and in the future, and actions underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience. USGCRP is providing a series of webinars led by the authors of key chapters of this report. These chapter webinars are an opportunity for you to hear about the findings of a particular chapter from the authors themselves. Each virtual one-hour event is expected to include some time for Q&A.

Air leakage is a significant driver of energy use within buildings that can negatively impact thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and mechanical ventilation systems operation. Researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) evaluated automated air sealing during a renovation at an office building at the Denver Federal Center (DFC). Researchers found that the technology increased airtightness by more than 50% from an already airtight envelope. During the webinar, researchers and facility managers will discuss findings from the project evaluation, share operational guidance, and answer questions.

Green Providing Ground (GPG) webinars present results from real-world evaluations and feedback from facility managers at test-bed locations. Following each presentation, researchers and other GSA subject-matter experts answer questions.

Fluorinated gases have an outsized impact on greenhouse gas emissions due to their high global warming potential (GWP). Join this webinar to learn from leaders in the Better Plants Program that are eliminating fluorinated-gas emissions by reducing leaks, capturing fugitive emissions, and utilizing low-GWP alternatives.

USDA's FY 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan reflects the challenges and opportunities we face and outlines how we plan to meet this moment. It is guided by five crosscutting priorities that inform our work: addressing climate change via climate-smart agriculture, forestry, and renewable energy; advancing racial justice, equity, and opportunity; creating more and better markets for producers and consumers at home and abroad; tackling food and nutrition security while maintaining a safe food supply; and making USDA a great place to work for everyone.

The Portal facilitates decision making by government agencies, businesses, non-government organizations (NGOs), academic entities, and individuals. Case Studies provide examples of how people use the Portal to inform fisheries management, maritime safety, aquaculture siting, offshore wind development, ocean planning, and other processes. From 2012 to 2016, federal and state agencies used the Portal for development of the Northeast Ocean Plan.

The 2020 Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment summarizes findings about the status, trends, and projected future of the Nation's forests and rangelands and the renewable resources that they provide. The 2020 RPA Assessment specifically focuses on the effects of both socioeconomic and climatic change on the U.S. land base, disturbance, forests, forest product markets, rangelands, water, biodiversity, and outdoor recreation. Differing assumptions about population and economic growth, land use change, and global climate change from 2020 to 2070 largely influence the outlook for U.S. renewable resources. Many of the key themes from the 2010 RPA Assessment cycle remain relevant, although new data and technologies allow for deeper and wider investigation. Land development will continue to threaten the integrity of forest and rangeland ecosystems. In addition, the combination and interaction of socioeconomic change, climate change, and the associated shifts in disturbances will strain natural resources and lead to increasing management and resource allocation challenges. At the same time, land management and adoption of conservation measures can reduce pressure on natural resources. The RPA Assessment findings and associated data can be useful to resource managers and policymakers as they develop strategies to sustain natural resources.

EPA is soliciting information pertaining to and is requesting comments to assist in the potential development of regulations to reinstate the reporting of animal waste air emissions at farms under EPCRA. The Agency is soliciting comments under five general categories: health impacts; implementation challenges; costs and benefits; small farm definition and potential reporting exemption; and national report on animal waste air emissions. Requiring reporting of animal waste air emissions may advance the community right-to-know aspect of EPCRA by providing the public with information that may impact their health and the environment. This information may advance EPA's environmental justice goals of increasing the awareness of the potential impact these emissions have on communities with environmental justice concerns. EPA solicit comments on all aspects of this potential action. Comments must be received on or before 15 February 2024. POC is William Noggle, U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency Management, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460; 202–566–1306; noggle.william@epa.gov. (Federal Register 17 November 2023 [Proposed Rule] Pages 80222-80237)

EPA is finalizing amendments to the NSPS for secondary lead smelters pursuant to the periodic review required by the CAA. Specifically, the EPA is finalizing revisions to the NSPS that applies to affected secondary lead smelters constructed, reconstructed, or modified after 1 December 2022 (NSPS subpart La). The EPA is also finalizing amendments to the NSPS for secondary lead smelters constructed, reconstructed, or modified after 11 June 1973, and on or before 1 December 2022, (NSPS subpart L). In addition, we are finalizing the use of EPA Method 22 (Visual Determination of Fugitive Emissions from Material Sources and Smoke Emissions from Flares) as an alternative for demonstrating compliance with the opacity limit. This final rule is effective on 20 November 2023. POC is Amber Wright, Sector Policies and Programs Division (D243–02), 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) 541–4680; email: wright.amber@epa.gov. (Federal Register 20 November 2023 [Rule] Pages 80594-80617)

EPA is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) following the completion of a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel for the proposed New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units. The EPA is seeking public comment on the regulatory flexibilities considered in the IRFA. In addition, the EPA is soliciting comment on whether to include mechanisms to address potential reliability issues raised by small business and other commenters with respect to both proposed New Source Performance Standards and the proposed Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units. Comments must be received on or before 20 December 2023. POC is Mr. Christian Fellner, Sector Policies and Programs Division (D243–02), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; tele: (919) 541–4003; and email: fellner.christian@epa.gov. (Federal Register 20 November 2023 [Rule] Pages 80682-80685)

USFWS are reopening the comment period on their 18 October 2022, proposed rule to list the Kern Canyon slender salamander (Batrachoseps simatus) and the relictual slender salamander (Batrachoseps relictus) under the ESA, and to designate critical habitat. This action will allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the 18 October 2022, proposed rule, as well as the opportunity to comment on the new areas they are considering for relictual slender salamander critical habitat, small changes to Kern Canyon slender salamander critical habitat, and their updates to the physical or biological features for the Kern Canyon slender salamander, in response to previously submitted public comments. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final rule. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 6 December 2023. POC is Michael Fris, Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825; telephone 916–414–6700. (Federal Register 21 November 2023 [Proposed Rule] Pages 81028-81038)

NEJAC will convene a virtual public meeting to discuss several topics including, but not limited to, updates on NEJAC recommendations related to air quality and community monitoring, PFAS, finance and investments and responses to community concerns brought forward in Puerto Rico.

The WHEJAC is interested in receiving public comments relevant to current charges, topics, and questions currently under consideration: The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool; The Environmental Justice Scorecard; Carbon Management; Ways that the WHEJAC could recommend advancing environmental justice through a whole-government approach; Examples of environmental hazards of particular concern for Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations related to Federal activities that may affect sacred sites and areas of cultural significance, cultural or other traditions or practices, subsistence, and ways of life; Ways in which the Federal government can address community impacts, and concerns of Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations; and Ways in which the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into Federal decision-making could help address environmental hazards and environmental justice concerns.

Trail planning and design utilize a variety of approaches, tools, and techniques. This webinar will review several common approaches and technologies and provide attendees with real world examples of trail planning and design projects. Additionally, they will explore the phases of trail planning and design and the specific outputs associated with trail feasibility studies, conceptual plans, master plans, field design and specification.

When evaluating options for funding critical energy/water infrastructure projects, it is important for federal sites to consider Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs) as a solution for implementing life-cycle cost effective measures and installing on-site distributed energy projects, with little to no upfront costs. This three-day workshop will help attendees understand the fundamental elements of a UESC and how these limited-source performance contracts can be used to maximize investment into energy and water conservation measures. FEMP and experts from DOE's national labs will present best practices aimed at assisting agency staff, utilities, and ESCOs in the successful development of UESCs, including topics such as acquisition planning, contractor selection, site assessments, proposal review, and performance assurance.

When evaluating options for funding critical energy/water infrastructure projects, it is important for federal sites to consider Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs) as a solution for implementing life-cycle cost effective measures and installing on-site distributed energy projects, with little to no upfront costs. This three-day workshop will help attendees understand the fundamental elements of a UESC and how these limited-source performance contracts can be used to maximize investment into energy and water conservation measures. FEMP and experts from DOE's national labs will present best practices aimed at assisting agency staff, utilities, and ESCOs in the successful development of UESCs, including topics such as acquisition planning, contractor selection, site assessments, proposal review, and performance assurance.

When evaluating options for funding critical energy/water infrastructure projects, it is important for federal sites to consider Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs) as a solution for implementing life-cycle cost effective measures and installing on-site distributed energy projects, with little to no upfront costs. This three-day workshop will help attendees understand the fundamental elements of a UESC and how these limited-source performance contracts can be used to maximize investment into energy and water conservation measures. FEMP and experts from DOE's national labs will present best practices aimed at assisting agency staff, utilities, and ESCOs in the successful development of UESCs, including topics such as acquisition planning, contractor selection, site assessments, proposal review, and performance assurance.

This training provides an introductory overview of the fundamentals of energy savings performance contracting (ESPC). GSA students will interact with instructors who are experts in contracting and the technical aspects of project development. The training consists of an overview of performance contracting and how to execute a project that emphasizes achieving deep energy savings. Training sections cover task order ordering procedures, contractor selection, energy saving technologies, risk and responsibility, measurement and verification, understanding task order schedules, pricing and financing aspects of the project, and post award contract administration.

The Green Building Initiative (GBI) is an international nonprofit organization and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to reducing climate impacts by improving the built environment. Founded in 2004, the organization is the global provider of the Green Globes® and federal Guiding Principles Compliance building certification and assessment programs.

This template is intended to assist agencies in complying with the new Federal Building Metering Guidance.

The Green Building Advisory Committee provides expert advice to GSA's Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings to advance the greening of the Federal building portfolio. This website includes the resolutions and advice letters approved by the Committee and presented to GSA. As the products of an independent advisory committee, these proposals may or may not be consistent with current GSA policy.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE), I2SL is hosting the Smart Labs Toolkit. This free, online resource provides a step-by-step guide to assist laboratory owners and users when implementing their own Smart Labs program. The toolkit identifies four main phases (plan, assess, optimize, and manage) to help increase sustainability, efficiency, and safety in laboratories and related high-tech facilities. The phases and tasks laid out in the toolkit can be undertaken to mitigate risk, reduce waste, and provide safe and productive workplaces.

At the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, the US brought home its first-ever gold medal in cross country skiing. A huge milestone in the sport, and now with a new inspired generation of cross country skiers, how can we get them and keep them on the snow? How do we create equity in opportunity for those with barriers to access winter trails? Non-motorized winter trail networks exist throughout the US, and we will take the opportunity to gather the tribe of winter trail specialists for this particular webinar, feature a few expert panelists from different parts of the US, and invite a robust discussion. The content will touch on the universal issues of adapting to climate change and building resiliency in operations, but also consider specific geographic factors such as snow type and regional winter recreation culture. Underlying all of the tactical discussion, we will frame the discussion in the bigger picture of land conservation and stewardship. This webinar is designed for the entire tribe of winter trails professionals, stewards, and program providers of all levels of expertise from novice to expert. The discussion will be centered around groomed winter trails for XC skiers, but will also address the importance of providing opportunities for snowshoeing, fatbiking, winter hiking, and winter trail running.

The Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4), completed in November 2018, is a comprehensive and authoritative report on climate change and its impacts in the United States.

This DoD report provides details on what is currently known about direct and indirect mission critical PFAS uses that could impact mission readiness if the substances are no longer available. It also highlights the challenges and costs related to finding and qualifying equal or improved performing alternatives to existing PFAS materials in sectors of strategic importance to DoD.

The handbook was developed to inform practitioners about the latest approaches and lessons learned for bioretention design, construction, inspection, and operation and maintenance. The handbook contains a compilation of the current state of knowledge from published literature, interviews, and site visits with leading municipalities and practitioners across the United States. A unique feature includes the numerous photographs of bioretention facilities from more than 20 municipalities across the contiguous United States that showcase a diversity of design techniques.

Based upon benchmark measurements of operating data centers and input from practicing designers and operators, the Design Guidelines are intended to provide a set of efficient baseline design approaches for data center systems. This guide was produced by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

A bill to protect Native cultural sites located on Federal land, to improve consultation with Indian Tribes, to bring parity to Indian Tribes with regard to Federal public land management laws. (Congressional Record 1 November 2023 [House] Pages H5227-H5229)

A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to update the modeling used for lifecycle greenhouse gas assessments for approved fuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard. (Congressional Record 1 November 2023 [House] Pages H5227-H5229)

A bill to protect Native cultural sites located on Federal land, to improve consultation with Indian Tribes, to bring parity to Indian Tribes with regard to Federal public land management laws. (Congressional Record 1 November 2023 [Senate] Pages S5314-S5315)

A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to restore a national minimum standard of protection for the water resources of the United States while providing certainty to regulated entities. (Congressional Record: 18 October 2023 [House] Pages H5028-H5029)

EPA is proposing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Rubber Tire Manufacturing, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). To ensure that all emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from sources in the source category are regulated, the EPA is proposing emissions standards for the rubber processing subcategory of the rubber tire manufacturing industry, which is the only unregulated subcategory within the Rubber Tire Manufacturing source category. Comments must be received on or before 2 January 2024. POC is Mr. Korbin Smith, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Mail Drop: D243–04, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12055, RTP, North Carolina 27711; telephone: (919) 541–2416; and email:smith.korbin@epa.gov. (Federal Register 16 November 2023 [Proposed Rule] Pages 78692-78710)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) proposes to amend its implementing procedures (regulations) governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposed changes would add a categorical exclusion for certain energy storage systems and revise categorical exclusions for upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines and for solar photovoltaic systems, as well as make conforming changes to related sections of DOE's NEPA regulations. The proposed changes are based on the experience of DOE and other Federal agencies, current technologies, regulatory requirements, and accepted industry practice. DOE invites public comments on the proposed changes. DOE must receive comments by 2 January 2024 to ensure consideration. POC is For questions concerning how to comment on this proposed rule, contact Ms. Carrie Abravanel, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, at DOE-NEPA-Rulemaking@hq.doe.gov or 202–586–4600. (Federal Register 16 November 2023 [Proposed Rule] Pages 78681-78691)

EPA announced proposed updates to the Safer Choice Standard, which identifies the requirements that products and their ingredients must meet to earn EPA's Safer Choice label or Design for the Environment (DfE) logo. On 19 December 2023, from 2:00-3:00 PM (Eastern), EPA will hold a webinar to provide further information on the proposed updates to the Standard. The webinar may be of interest to stakeholders interested in commenting on the updates, including manufacturers and distributors, retailers, community groups and representatives from states, Tribal Nations, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and others.

This webinar will explore the Hazardous Waste Facility Search and Hazardous Waste EPA/State Dashboard. We will demonstrate how the Hazardous Waste Facility Search provides RCRA-specific evaluation, compliance, and enforcement data through step-by-step examples and practical use cases. We will also demonstrate the e-Manifest data now available on the ECHO Detailed Facility Report.

On October 23, 2023, EPA announced a new rulemaking effort to improve the recycling and management of end-of-life solar panels and lithium batteries. EPA is developing a proposed rule to add solar panels to the universal waste regulations and to add tailored universal waste standards for lithium batteries. EPA is working on this rulemaking in part in response to a petition submitted by a broad coalition of industry associations to regulate solar panels as universal waste. EPA is also working on adjustments within the universal waste regulations to improve safety standards and reduce fires from mismanaged end-of-life lithium batteries. Read about this effort on our website.

The Federal Energy Management Program works closely with agencies and partner organizations to coordinate interagency working groups. These groups focus on federal energy management and compliance with federal laws and requirements.

GSA announced a new MOU between GSA and Southern Company to develop carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) options for federal facilities in Southern Company's service territories. The MOU documents the intent of GSA and Southern Company to collaborate on development of a roadmap that, when executed, will lead to federal agencies in that region buying more CFE and achieving reliability and resiliency objectives outlined in Executive Order 14057.

The U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) will host a webinar to present information on the new technical assistance programs, such as the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC's), that are available to Tribes and Indigenous Peoples. This webinar will provide an overview of the TCTACs, including the national TCTAC for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples, and other OEJECR technical and financial assistance resources to advance EJ. The webinar will also share information about other programs that can help Tribes plan, design, and seek funding for climate resilience and environmental justice projects.

The Federal Environmental Planning Committee is happy to announce that the new dates for the Federal Environmental Symposium are March 11-14, 2024. This Symposium will now be a fully virtual event, so all presenters and participants can enjoy from the comforts of their own home.

If you had registered for the event that was supposed to be held in October 2023, there is no need to re-register. All registration will be carried over to the new event. For everyone who didn't register for the event that was supposed to be held in October 2023, we are now re-opening registration through February 26, 2024.

If you are interested in presenting at this virtual Symposium, you can still submit your abstract through FedCenter until December 29, 2023. If you had been selected to present at the event in October, you will still be presenting. Feel free to reach out to your track leads if you have any questions.

If you are unable to make it to the Symposium due to the date change, we do apologize can take you off the registration list by emailing Mike Stefan (joseph.stefan@nih.gov).

EPA has announced the selection of 24 recipients that will receive nearly $16 million in P2 grants made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's historic $100 million program investment. The selections are for two grant programs. One grant program will provide P2 businesses with technical assistance to improve health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. A second grant program will assist empower businesses to increase the supply, demand, and use of safer and more sustainable products.

EPA is announcing the winners of the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies. Through the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances, this year's winners have developed solutions to significant environmental challenges such as climate change and spur innovation and economic development.

This webinar, hosted by the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) will feature common water efficiency strategies to reduce costs and save money, highlight results from MnTAP's Water Efficiency for MN Cities and Businesses project, and introduce a new water assessment tool. Come see how these strategies may apply to your site! Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

EPA is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards which include a new category to recognize technology that promotes circularity through green chemistry. Nominations are due by Dec. 8, 2023. The Green Chemistry Challenge Awards promote the environmental and economic benefits of developing and using novel green chemistry. These prestigious annual awards recognize chemical technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture, and use.

This SERDP and ESTCP webinar focuses on DoD-funded research efforts to develop forensic methods for PFAS source tracking and allocation. Specifically, investigators will talk about the development of an open-source database infrastructure for the storage and management of analytical data, the identification of product- and source-specific marker compounds, and the development of analytical methods exportable to more widely available lower-resolution mass spectrometers.

DOE's Building Technologies Office (BTO) announced its Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2024 funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003158). This funding opportunity will invest up to $30 million across nine topic areas to research, develop, and validate technologies with the potential to significantly advance building decarbonization. Since its inception in 2014, BTO has issued the BENEFIT funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to spur innovations that provide substantial improvements to building energy performance and occupant comfort. Technologies developed through BENEFIT 2024 will advance the state-of-the-art for HVAC equipment, lower the cost of building envelope and lighting retrofits, and make buildings more resilient to blackouts and extreme weather. Equitable decarbonization of the U.S. building stock is central to each topic in the BENEFIT 2024 FOA, emphasizing cost-effective, easy-to-deploy technology solutions, and community-oriented project partnerships.

The United States Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USPVDB) provides the locations and array boundaries of U.S. ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) facilities with capacity of 1 megawatt or more. It includes corresponding PV facility information, including panel type, site type, and initial year of operation.

USFWS are removing the plants island bedstraw (Galium buxifolium) and Santa Cruz Island dudleya (Dudleya nesiotica) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants on the basis of recovery. Both of these native plant species occur in the Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California. This final rule is based on their review of the best available scientific and commercial data, which indicates that the threats to island bedstraw and Santa Cruz Island dudleya have been eliminated or reduced to the point that these species have recovered and no longer meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the ESA. This rule is effective 7 December 2023. POC is Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003; tele 805–644–1766. (Federal Register 7 November 2023 [Rule] Pages 76679-76696)

USFWS establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the State of Colorado, under the ESA. The State of Colorado (Colorado Parks and Wildlife or CPW) requested that the Service establish an NEP in conjunction with their State-led gray wolf reintroduction effort. Establishment of this NEP provides for allowable, legal, purposeful, and incidental taking of the gray wolf within a defined NEP area while concurrently providing for the conservation of the species. The geographic boundary of the NEP is the entire State of Colorado. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the gray wolf into Colorado is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. This rule is effective 8 December 2023. POC is Liisa Niva, Acting Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Ecological Services Field Office, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 670, Lakewood, CO 80228; tele 303–236–4773. (Federal Registration 8 November 2023 [Rule] Pages 77014-77039)

This interactive training will educate learners about energy management best practices including the value of setting goals, developing a plan, identifying milestones, and documenting the tasks associated with those goals and milestones. During the training, you will discover why it's important to identify key stakeholders and core team members for each project or task and to get their support and buy-in.

The slide deck provides an overview of GSA's Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center's (RRBITC) National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) ESPC project. The presentation provides project details, the various ECMs and how the project will meet its goals of electrification and decarbonization.

This edition highlights fostering sustainability as a way of life, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #1. Content includes commentary from Mr. Pete Perez, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering and Construction Division chief, discussing how USACE is engineering solutions to address a changing climate. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are providing sustainable solutions that support our environment and the global communities we serve.

The Department of Defense's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is seeking environmental research and development proposals for funding beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Projects will be selected through a competitive process. The Core Solicitation provides funding opportunities for basic and applied research and advanced technology development. All Core pre-proposals are due 9 January 2024. The SERDP Exploratory Development (SEED) Solicitation provides funding opportunities for work that will investigate innovative environmental approaches that entail high technical risk or require supporting data to provide proof of concept. Funding is limited to not more than $250,000 and projects are approximately one year in duration. SERDP is requesting SEED proposals for the Weapons Systems and Platforms program area. SEED proposals are due 14 March 2024.

USFWS are issuing this final rule to comply with a district court order that vacated their 3 November 2020, rule removing the gray wolf (Canis lupus) from the ESA. As a result of the court's order, the regulatory protections under the ESA, apply to the gray wolf in all or portions of the 45 U.S. States and Mexico where the species was listed at the time they issued the delisting rule. The court order went into effect on 10 February 2022. Thus, this final rule implements the court's order by correcting the CFR and officially reinstating threatened status for gray wolf in Minnesota; endangered status for gray wolf in all or portions of the remaining 44 U.S. States and Mexico where the species was listed prior to our November 2020 delisting rule; critical habitat for gray wolf in Minnesota and Michigan; and the rule promulgated under section 4(d) of the Act for gray wolf in Minnesota. Gray wolves in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, the eastern third of Washington and Oregon, and north-central Utah (collectively, the Northern Rocky Mountains) retain their delisted status and are not affected by this final rule. This rule does not have any effect on the separate listing of the Mexican wolf subspecies (Canis lupus baileyi) as endangered under the Act. This action is effective 3 November 2023. POC is Rachel London , USFWS, Headquarters Office, MS:ES, 5275, Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803; tele (703) 358–2491.

This training is designed to allow federal facility personnel and other environmental professionals the opportunity to learn about the SPCC requirements, the inspection process, and common violations. The training will assist federal facilities to maintain and/or improve compliance with SPCC requirements. The objective of this training is to assist federal facilities with the implementation of their SPCC programs designed to prevent oil discharges from impacting navigable waters. The training is targeted for facilities with oil: storage, processing, refining, transferring, and activities or equipment using/consuming oil and oil products. The course will provide an SPCC 101 overview, a "deeper dive" into the SPCC rules, their applicability and requirements (e.g. containment, tank integrity, plan updates, etc.) for federal facility operators and certifying Professional Engineers (PEs). The US EPA SPCC inspection process and expectations will be discussed. An in-depth pictorial review of typical noncompliance found during EPA inspections will be provided. (See PDF file FED FACILTY Webinar Sept 2023 draft 4 hours)

This training is designed and directed towards the federal facility manager and provides the opportunity to learn about the SPCC requirements, an overview of the inspection process, and common violations. The training will assist federal facility managers to maintain and/or improve compliance with SPCC requirements. The course will provide an SPCC 101 overview for facility managers. (See PDF file FED FACILTY Webinar Sept 2023 1_5 hours final)

The new Sustainability Journey Map is an interactive tool to support health care suppliers in initiating or accelerating their decarbonization and sustainability efforts. This journey map outlines five key stages of the sustainability journey and provides best practices, resources, and toolkits for every step.

USFWS are reclassifying Mitracarpus polycladus (a plant, no common name) from endangered to threatened (downlist) under the ESA. This action is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the species' status has improved such that it is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but that it is still likely to become so in the foreseeable future. They are also finalizing a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act that provides for the conservation of the species. This rule is effective 1 December 2023. POC is Edwin Muñiz, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622; email: Caribbean_es@fws.gov; tele: (786) 244–0081. (Federal Register 1 November 2023 [Rule] Pages 74890-74907)