Short Takes – 10-14-22

Here's the next phase of Biden's plan to fortify industry cyberdefenses. WashingtonPost.com article. Pull quote: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to incorporate cybersecurity in sanitation reviews of water utilities under a “creative” interpretation of existing law, Neuberger said. In late July, Neuberger said the EPA would take that action “shortly.” Officials are aiming for the end of the year.”

A Flurry of Regulatory Action and the Need for SBOMs. Adolus.com blog post. Pull quote: “Depending on who you ask, you’ll get different answers regarding the necessary elements of an SBOM and if they should include vulnerabilities. The current SBOM standard advanced by CISA does not include vulnerability information; it is simply a comprehensive, nested list of ingredients. Vulnerability information — including whether or not a vulnerability is exploitable — is communicated via a separate companion document called VEX (Vulnerability Exploitability eXchange).” Interesting insights to SBOM issues.

Florida agriculture has been slammed by Hurricane Ian. NPR.org article. Pull quote: “He says flooded pastures mean the grass is no longer good for grazing, and cattle that have been standing in water could lead to disease, including foot rot. And high water is lingering. Coddington says the south end of the Longino Ranch is not accessible.”

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR): Reconsideration of Fugitive Emissions Rule. Federal Register NPRM. Would repeal 2008 fugitive emissions rule. Pull quote: “As a result of the proposed changes, all existing major stationary sources would be required to include fugitive emissions in determining whether a physical or operational change constitutes a “major modification,” requiring a permit under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) or Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) programs.” Comments due December 13^th, 2022.

6 projects show how infrastructure spending is remaking the country. WashingtonPost.com article. Pull quote: “The package handed Buttigieg and his team $120 billion to invest in projects around the country, an unusually high amount of discretion in a system that tends to leave most transportation decisions to state and local leaders. The U.S. Department of Transportation is prioritizing projects that would improve safety amid a spike in crash deaths, help to reduce carbon emissions and create a fairer transportation system, especially in Black and Hispanic communities that have historically been overlooked.”