Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for trucks carrying fireworks, forest roads, and security measures for the nation’s energy infrastructure.
Here’s what is happening:
Forests: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not regulate forest roads.
The EPA was considering new restrictions on storm water discharges from forest roads, but announced Friday it will not issue these rules.
“Forest roads regulation presents a number of challenges that make achievement of that result unlikely,” the EPA said. “Wide variations in topography, climate, ownership, management, and use across the nation’s network of forest roads make the establishment of any nationwide regulatory program a complex and difficult endeavor.”
The decision goes into effect on July 11.
Fireworks: The Department of Transportation will exempt dozens of trucks delivering fireworks for July Fourth celebrations from rules that would other prohibit them from driving.
The Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the exemptions Friday for 51 trucking companies.
Truck drivers are typically prohibited from driving more than 14 hours in a day, but this exemption will allow them to work longer hours between June 28 and July 8.
“FMCSA has determined that the terms and conditions of the exemption ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption,” the agency wrote.
Security: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is proposing stronger protections for critical energy infrastructure.
The security measures are aimed at securing the nation’s energy infrastructure and making it more resilient “in the face of emergencies,” the agency said.
The public has 45 days to comment.
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