Short Takes – 9-12-26 - Federal Register Edition

RCRA Testing  

Request for Information on Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste (SW-846), Waste Sampling and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Testing. EPA request for information. Summary: “EPA updates test methods and waste sampling guidance as part of routine updates according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). To aid in the implementation of these directives, the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests information on SW-846 method experiences, needs, and requirements. ORCR is specifically interested in information on the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Method 1311, including method challenges, and alternatives. Information is welcome from stakeholders involved in requesting, performing, and evaluating the results from SW-846 methods including, but not limited to, industry stakeholders, researchers, academia, state, Tribal, and local governments. This includes U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, other federal agencies, community groups, non-governmental organizations, the public, and international organizations. The EPA will use the information received in response to this request for information (RFI) to inform what action, if any, it may take.” 

Space Geek  

Name of Information Collection: Proposal Submissions and Awards Management System (ProSAMS) for the NASA Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program Solicitations. NASA 30-day new information collection request notice. Summary: “The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.... The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena.” 

Executive Orders  

EO 14426 - Accelerating Access to Veterans' Benefits and Employment Opportunities. 

EO 14427 - Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act. 

Short Takes – 9-10-26 - Federal Register Edition

HAZMAT Safety  

Hazardous Materials: California's Reusability Mandate for Propane Cylinders. PHMSA preemption notification notice. Summary: “The Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., preempts California's reusability mandate for propane cylinders in California Public Resources Code, Sections 42395-42395.2. The reusability mandate imposes localized design and manufacturing requirements on a container that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in the transportation of a hazardous material—specifically, propane—that are not substantively the same as the requirements in the HMR. The reusability mandate is also an obstacle to accomplishing and carrying out the HMTA. By banning a federally authorized, safety-compliant packaging based on localized waste management preferences, California creates a fragmented regulatory patchwork that undermines the primacy and uniformity of the Federal transportation safety framework.” 

Information Collection Requests  

Proposed Renewal Collection and Request for Comment; Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Under TSCA Section 6(h). EPA 60-day ICR renewal notice. 

Proposed Renewal Collection and Request for Comment; User Fees for the Administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA 60-day ICR renewal notice. 

State, Local, Tribal and Private Sector (SLTPS) Clearance Request Form (Form 9014) Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request. CISA 60-day ICR revision notice. 

Executive Orders  

EO 14424 - Promoting Fair Competition in Livestock Markets and Expanding Market Access for American Meat Producers. 

EO 14425 - Supporting America's Ranchers. 

Short Takes – 9-9-26 - Federal Register Edition

Grid Security  

Securing the United States Bulk-Power System. CESER request for information. Summary: “Consistent with the Executive order of August 26, 2026, Declaring a National Emergency to Secure the United States Bulk-Power System [EO 14421], the Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is seeking information from industry and other stakeholders to inform DOE actions to implement the Executive order. Specifically, DOE seeks information regarding the scope of covered equipment and transactions; risks associated with Covered Foreign Entities and foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment; supply chain, software, firmware, digital service, maintenance service, and remote-access practices; existing equipment and potential mitigation; licensing and prequalification; domestic manufacturing and secure replacement capacity; Federal procurement; and potential economic, reliability, safety, and small-entity impacts.” 

Highway Safety  

Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements. FMCSA 60-day ICR renewal notice. Summary: “This ICR relates to Agency requirements that motor carriers maintain a record of accidents involving their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Motor carriers are not required to report this data to FMCSA, but must produce it upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State or local officials.” 

HAZMAT Safety  

Hazardous Materials: Notice of Administrative Determination of Preemption for Common Law Tort Claims Concerning the Transportation of Gasoline. PHMSA notice of preemption decision. Summary: “The Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon) seeks a determination that Federal law preempts State common law claims brought against it in New Jersey concerning the safe transportation of gasoline in commerce. PHMSA is issuing a final administrative determination concluding that the State common law tort claims presented by Exxon are preempted. Each of these duties, if imposed, would present an obstacle to compliance with the Federal regulatory framework essential for the safe transportation of gasoline. In addition, any claims about covered subjects, such as the marking, loading and unloading, and classification of gasoline that are not substantively the same as the applicable HMR provisions are preempted.” 

Space Geek  

Unleashing Unlicensed Spectrum for Direct-to-Device. FCC notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes to expand opportunities for direct-to-device (D2D) communications by permitting certain unlicensed devices to communicate with satellites on a non-interference basis. Building on recent market growth and new industry investment in D2D technologies, the NPRM explores adding satellite allocations in specific unlicensed bands, clarifying that equipment may operate within spacecraft, and establishing a flexible regulatory framework that preserves incumbent operations while enabling continued innovation. The Commission seeks comment on technical, licensing, and policy considerations to support expanded D2D connectivity and ensure coexistence with existing services.” 

Short Takes – 9-4-26 - Federal Register Edition

TSCA  

1,2-Dichloropropane Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for Comment. EPA, notice of availability. Summary: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,2-dichloropropane. The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COUs), including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, and without consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA is seeking comment on the draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane.” 

Port Security  

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comment Request; FEMA Preparedness Grants: Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). FEMA 60-day ICR extension notice. Summary: “Section 102 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, as amended (46 U.S.C. 70107 [link added]), authorizes the PSGP to provide for the risk-based allocation of funds to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans among port authorities, facility operators, and State and local government agencies required to provide port security services and to train law enforcement personnel under 46 U.S.C. 70132. Before awarding a grant under the program, the Secretary for Homeland Security shall provide for review and comment by the appropriate Federal Maritime Security Coordinators and the Maritime Administrator. In administering the grant program, the Secretary shall consider national economic, energy, and strategic defense concerns based upon the most current risk assessments available.” 

UAS Security  

Notice Soliciting Representatives for Technical Roundtables on Security of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Beyond the Visual Line of Sight. TSA notice. Summary: “The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is soliciting individuals to participate in technical roundtables that will provide input to TSA relevant to the development of model language for TSA-approved security programs that will provide for the secure operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). These roundtables will be closed to the public. Participation is limited and all participants must be validated by TSA as a representative of either a UAS BVLOS operator or an industry association representing these operators or subset of operators, as discussed later in this notice. Participants must obtain approval from TSA for access to Sensitive Security Information (SSI).” 

Space Geek  

Name of Information Collection: NASA Visitor Management System (NVMS). NASA 30-day ICR revision notice. Summary: “NASA may collect event registration information to include but not limited to a visitor's name, address, citizenship, biometric data, purpose of visit, the location to be visited, escort/sponsor name with contact data, and preferred meeting/event sessions when options are available. When parking is provided on federally owned/leased space, driver's license information as well as vehicle make/model/tag information will be collected.” 

Notice of Availability on the Final Tiered Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for SpaceX Starship Reentry Contingency Operations in the Pacific Ocean and Additional Starship Landing Trajectory. FAA notice of availability. Summary: “In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), DOT Order 5610.1D, DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G,  FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Final Tiered Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for SpaceX Starship Reentry Contingency Operations in the Pacific Ocean and Additional Starship Landing Trajectory (Final Tiered EA and FONSI/ROD).”