News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, making it essential to ensure that the air they breathe in various indoor settings is safe. In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America program has highlighted the significance of whole-house ventilation systems in reducing indoor air pollutants, some of which can contribute to cancer risk.The reports released by the DOE emphasize the importance of proper ventilation systems in lowering concentrations of harmful substances. According to the DOE, inadequate ventilation can lead to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new policy aimed at enhancing the coordination between its civil and criminal enforcement programs. This initiative is part of the agency's efforts to hold polluters accountable and ensure environmental justice for communities affected by pollution.Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance emphasized the importance of aligning civil and criminal enforcement programs to effectively address environmental issues, stating, “A fair and robust enforcement...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
DETROIT – Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Terner Labs collaborated in Detroit, Michigan, to host an event focusing on advancing affordable housing initiatives. The event brought together various leaders, experts, and technologists for the Housing & Technology Symposium series.Solomon Greene, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at HUD, highlighted the innovative approach being taken, stating, "These are a first-of-its-kind innovations that leverage both HUD funding and modular housing...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the signing of a Federal Facility Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oregon, and Washington for the cleanup of the Bradford Island National Priorities List site. The agreement includes an enforceable schedule for the cleanup, with a public comment period running from April 24 to June 10. EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating, “This agreement supports all parties working together to expeditiously investigate and address contamination at the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The United States has announced the imposition of sanctions on Iranian entities and individuals involved in malicious cyber activities. Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the sanctions target two Iranian companies and four individuals connected to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC), a U.S.-designated entity.Miller highlighted that these actors have engaged in cyber operations targeting more than a dozen U.S. companies and government entities. He further emphasized, "The United States will continue to expose...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Sales of newly built, single-family homes in March rose 8.8% to a 693,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a downwardly revised reading in February, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales in March is up 8.3% from a year earlier."Although consumer demand has been somewhat dampened due to higher interest rates, builders continue to supply new homes to the market to lift inventory to make up for the low resale supply," said Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves commended the efforts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in tackling the challenges posed by extreme heat events during a press event held on April 23, 2024. Graves expressed gratitude towards Dr. Spinrad and the entire NOAA team for their contributions to the event and highlighted the importance of NOAA's work in building a climate-ready nation.Graves emphasized the increasing impact of extreme heat waves on millions of Americans, attributing their intensity, frequency, and duration to climate change. He...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
On April 19, 2024, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) filed comments with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to their advance notice of proposed rulemaking on the bulk sale of data about U.S. individuals by data brokers to countries of concern.In their comments, CDT expressed their support for the DOJ’s objectives in the proceeding, emphasizing the importance of reducing the ability of countries of concern to collect and exploit data belonging to US individuals. CDT urged the DOJ to take into consideration the concerns they outlined in their submission...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that the Virginia Department of Energy has been chosen to receive more than $156 million through the Solar for All grant competition. This initiative aims to develop long-lasting solar programs that will benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities by lowering energy costs and advancing environmental justice.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan expressed the significance of this investment, stating, "Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has imposed fines totaling $3.2 million on four Arizona contractors in a bid to protect 890 residential construction workers from illicit pay practices. The DOL's Wage and Hour Division concluded that the companies intentionally violated the overtime and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
President Joe Biden is set to sign a Senate bill that will allocate $90 million in military aid to Ukraine. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has stated that the legislation will bolster protection for the U.S. and its allies.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
U.S. Department of State (DOS) Secretary Antony J. Blinken commemorated Earth Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness and demonstrating support for environmental protection, by calling on Americans to reflect on the occasion.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Secretary Blinken has extended his congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) Award and the GDI-OBO Resilience Innovation Fund. The winners of this year have not only met but exceeded expectations, showcasing innovative and impactful initiatives that align with various governmental mandates and sustainability plans. The Office of the Spokesperson highlighted the significant role of the GDI in promoting climate solutions within the U.S. Department of State for over a decade, aiming to conserve resources, enhance resilience, and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
NVIDIA, a well-known technology company, has recently announced its collaboration with climate tech startups to integrate AI technology for sustainability applications. The partnership aims to leverage NVIDIA's advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability efforts.According to NVIDIA's spokesperson, the company is excited about the collaboration with climate tech startups as it will help drive innovation in the sustainability sector. The spokesperson stated, "By working together with climate tech startups, we...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marked Earth Day 2024 by highlighting a wide range of initiatives and accomplishments aimed at addressing climate change and environmental hazards. Various programs and collaborations were announced to support health sector resilience, sustainability, and decarbonization.The HHS Climate Change and Health Equity Strategy Supplement summarizes efforts on resilience and decarbonization, while the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity introduced a Catalytic Program to assist organizations in taking advantage of tax...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
BOSTON (April 22, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources has been selected to receive over $49 million through the Solar for All grant competition. This funding aims to develop sustainable solar programs benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities, aligning with President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the significance of this investment, stating, "Today we're delivering on President Biden's promise that no community is left behind by investing...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement on Earth Day emphasizing the crucial link between our health and the health of the planet. He highlighted the impacts of climate change on communities across the country, stating, "Climate change is characterized by deep inequities, it’s often the communities who have suffered from past injustices and who have the least access to health care that are hit the hardest. They deserve better."Becerra also discussed the initiatives taken by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address climate change and health...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Washington, D.C. — A recent analysis conducted by the Center for American Progress has shed light on the significant disparities in travel times for women seeking abortion care across different congressional districts in the United States. The findings highlight the challenges faced by women in accessing essential reproductive healthcare services following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.The analysis, authored by Sara Estep, associate director of the Women’s Initiative, emphasizes the impact of the erosion of abortion rights on...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Ricardo Middleton, 32, of Boston, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release after a jury found Middleton guilty in December 2023 of sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud, and coercion and obstruction in Maine.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed, "This significant sentence imposed by the court reflects the severity of the defendant’s exploitation of the victim over three days. He used drugs, threats, physical force and rape to force her to engage in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the winners of the Clean Power for Hours Challenge, awarding a total of $835,000 to recipients for their innovative clean energy solutions. The competition aimed to find promising clean energy storage solutions to keep essential services functioning during power outages.Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas highlighted the importance of the challenge, stating, "When disaster strikes, restoring electric power can quickly become a matter of life or death." The challenge empowers citizen innovators to...
