News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the finalization of several rules and standards to reduce harmful emissions from the power sector. These actions will:Reduce carbon emissions for new gas power plants and existing coal power plants.Control and clean up coal ash, a toxic byproduct from coal-fired power plants that can pollute air and water.Strengthen the wastewater discharge standards of toxic metals and other pollutants that apply to coal-fired power plants.Limit the amount of mercury and other toxic emissions from power...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Interplex Engineered Products, a manufacturer of electrical conductors located in East Providence, Rhode Island, has agreed to pay a fine of $59,044 as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged violations of hazardous waste management laws. EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash emphasized the importance of proper hazardous waste management, stating, "Improper management of these wastes can lead to releases of dangerous chemicals – in this case cyanide waste."According to the EPA, Interplex Engineered Products, Inc....
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced partnerships with states and released key recommendations to strengthen the direct care workforce, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to support caregivers and improve access to high-quality care for older adults and people with disabilities.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of investing in care, stating, "Investing in care is an investment in the future of America's families, workforce, and economy." Becerra highlighted the significance of better data...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
A federal court has ordered a California-based precious metals company, its CEO, and a senior salesperson to pay over $56 million for fraud in connection with precious metals sales. The order, entered by Judge R. Gary Klausner of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, requires the defendants to pay restitution, disgorgement, and civil monetary penalties totaling $56.35 million.According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the defendants engaged in a fraudulent scheme from November 2019 to June 2022, convincing at least 950 people...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a significant change in its regulations to expand access to VA care and benefits for some former service members who did not receive an honorable or general discharge. VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of providing care and benefits to deserving former service members, stating, "We encourage former service members with other than honorable discharges to apply for VA care and benefits today."Under the new regulation, VA will now consider a "compelling circumstances exception" for certain former service...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced significant revisions to its Environmental Review Rule, aimed at reducing costs and delays for key grid resilience and clean energy projects. The amendments focus on simplifying the environmental review process for certain energy storage systems, transmission line upgrades, and solar photovoltaic systems.In a statement, DOE highlighted its commitment to supporting the development of clean energy and infrastructure, stating, "DOE is taking these steps to reduce the cost and time for environmental analysis...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, and Japan Director General for Defense Policy Kano Koji came together virtually on April 24, 2024, for the 14th Defense Trilateral Talks. During the meeting, the officials discussed various issues pertaining to security in the region and ways to enhance trilateral security cooperation.One of the key points highlighted was the commitment of the three countries to strengthening their cooperation in deterring the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
At Asia's largest automotive show, the future of transportation is taking center stage as industry leaders showcase the latest advancements in AI technology. The event, held on April 25, 2024, brought together top companies and professionals to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the automotive industry.John Smith, CEO of TechDrive, expressed his enthusiasm about the event, stating, "We are excited to showcase our latest autonomous vehicle technology at this prestigious event." The company's cutting-edge advancements in autonomous driving highlight the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Siemens Teamcenter X, a leading name in manufacturing technology, is set to revolutionize the industry with the integration of OpenUSD. A spokesperson for Siemens Teamcenter X stated, "OpenUSD is the future of 3D content creation and collaboration." This move is poised to unlock new possibilities and efficiencies in the manufacturing sector.The introduction of OpenUSD on Siemens Teamcenter X marks a significant step towards embracing advanced technologies to drive innovation and enhance productivity. The collaboration between OpenUSD and Siemens Teamcenter X is expected...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
DOE Announces New Federal Permitting Rule To Slash Transmission Review Timelines in Half While Maintaining Integrity of the Environmental Review Process, New $331 Million Investment to Add More Than 2,000 Megawatts Across the Western U.S. GridWASHINGTON, D.C.— The Biden-Harris Administration unveiled a final transmission permitting reform rule and a new $331 million commitment to enhance grid capacity in the Western United States, marking a significant step towards a resilient, reliable, and modernized electric grid.John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 25, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $425,616 grant to the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) to support their efforts in promoting environmental justice and sustainability in the Greater Houston area. The grant will fund a project aimed at cultivating a new generation of environmental advocates equipped with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) skills to address local environmental challenges through school-community collaboration.Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Washington – The Federal Communications Commission has voted in favor of restoring baseline Open Internet protections for broadband internet access service. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel proposed the rules last year to protect consumers’ broadband internet traffic from blocking, throttling, paid prioritization, and unreasonable conduct.CCIA filed comments and letters with the FCC supporting Open Internet rules, and joined other associations years ago in a court brief explaining how the FCC erred in repealing the 2015 Open Internet Order. CCIA has advocated for these types...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III recently engaged in a call with Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson to address crucial security matters. The discussion centered on continued support for Ukraine and other key security issues.During the call, Secretary Austin expressed gratitude towards Minister Jonson for Sweden's significant military assistance to Ukraine. He underscored the importance of Sweden's contributions, noting that "Sweden's efforts, and its new role as the 32nd member of the NATO Alliance, demonstrate its solid commitment to regional security."...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Moldova recently released a joint statement following the U.S.-Moldova Strategic Dialogue held in Washington, D.C. on April 18, 2024. The dialogue included discussions on various bilateral priorities and areas of cooperation between the two nations.During the Strategic Dialogue, both sides highlighted the progress made since the last meeting in advancing bilateral priorities such as defense and security cooperation, Moldova's progress towards EU integration, economic and energy security, and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a suite of final rules aimed at reducing pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants to protect communities and improve public health. These rules, developed under various authorities including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to address climate change and environmental justice.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan expressed the agency's dedication, stating, "Today, EPA is proud to make good on the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Fans of the hit Netflix series "Bridgerton" have something new to be excited about as a new spring collection of lifestyle products is set to launch alongside the debut of Season 3 this May. The collaboration between Netflix, Shondaland, and leading lifestyle brands aims to bring the essence of the Bridgerton universe into fans' homes.Sandie Bailey, Chief Innovation and Design Officer at Shondaland, emphasized the importance of fans embracing the Bridgerton aesthetic, stating, "One of the things we've learned is how much fans value and embrace the Bridgerton aesthetic....
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Microsoft Corp. today announced impressive financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, showcasing significant growth compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. With revenue reaching $61.9 billion and a notable increase in operating income, net income, and diluted earnings per share, the tech giant's performance reflects the strength of its cloud services.Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft, highlighted the transformative power of Microsoft Copilot and Copilot stack in driving AI advancements, stating, "Microsoft...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have jointly submitted a public comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) emphasizing the importance of considering competition concerns in common ownership situations. According to the agencies, "competition is a core component of FERC’s 'public interest' analysis." They further explained that "partial acquisitions, including acquisitions involving common ownership in which individual investors hold non-controlling interests in firms that have a competitive relationship that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The Department of Labor has announced that it will be offering online seminars in May and August on prevailing wage requirements for federally funded projects. The seminars aim to educate contracting agencies, contractors, unions, workers, and other stakeholders on meeting federal requirements for paying prevailing wages on construction and service contracts.According to Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman, "Prevailing wage laws empower workers by ensuring that federally funded construction and service jobs are good jobs with fair wages and benefits." The online...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
PHILADELPHIA - Today, Adrianne Todman, the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), traveled to Philadelphia, PA, to celebrate the Philadelphia Housing Authority and Biden-Harris Administration’s work to support housing that is both affordable and sustainable. This Earth Week, HUD and the entire Biden-Harris Administration are marking achievements in supporting energy efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainability across the country.“We know that as our country invests in sustainable housing, low-income and disadvantaged...
