Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
EPA Releases Proposal to Help Cleanup of Millions of Abandoned Tires, Promote Energy Dominance
WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Releases Proposal to Help Cleanup of Millions of Abandoned Tires, Promote Energy Dominance
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal to help clean up millions of abandoned tires throughout the U.S., addressing health and safety concerns related to tire piles in American communities. In addition, the proposal would allow the use of abandoned scrap tires as fuel, clearing the path for faster cleanup of tire piles. Together, these changes will make communities
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WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Releases Proposal to Help Cleanup of Millions of Abandoned Tires, Promote Energy Dominance
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal to help clean up millions of abandoned tires throughout the U.S., addressing health and safety concerns related to tire piles in American communities. In addition, the proposal would allow the use of abandoned scrap tires as fuel, clearing the path for faster cleanup of tire piles. Together, these changes will make communitiessafer and healthier by reducing risks from tire pile fires and the breeding grounds they become for disease-carrying animals. At the same time, we are removing the visual blight on our beautiful American landscapes.
"Abandoned tire piles across the U.S. pose a threat to the health and safety of Americans, but this waste stream can be and should be responsibly and carefully addressed to make America both healthy and energy dominant again. Our latest proposal provides a commonsense approach to better clean up scrap tires and realize their full potential as fuel," said Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Thomas Croci.
Approximately 48 million abandoned scrap tires remain in at least 23 states and Tribal lands. The proposal would allow whole abandoned scrap tires to be used in cement kilns as non-waste fuel and allow established tire collection programs to manage all scrap tires used as fuel in the same way. These changes would help reduce risks from scrap tire piles and enhance the recovery of valuable energy resources.
EPA will accept comments on this proposal for 60 days, until May 22, 2026.
To read the proposal, visit the rulemaking page.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-proposal-help-cleanup-millions-abandoned-tires-promote-energy-dominance
Social Security IG: The Social Security Administration's Federal Rulemaking Process
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 032509) on February 10, 2026, entitled "The Social Security Administration's Federal Rulemaking Process."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) followed Federal rulemaking requirements, including the Administrative Pay-AsYou-Go Act of 2023 (Administrative PAYGO), with respect to four rules the Agency finalized in 2024.
Background
Congress grants rulemaking authority to Federal agencies to implement statutory programs.
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WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 032509) on February 10, 2026, entitled "The Social Security Administration's Federal Rulemaking Process."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) followed Federal rulemaking requirements, including the Administrative Pay-AsYou-Go Act of 2023 (Administrative PAYGO), with respect to four rules the Agency finalized in 2024.
Background
Congress grants rulemaking authority to Federal agencies to implement statutory programs.Federal executive and independent agencies use rulemaking to formulate, amend, or repeal a rule.
The Commissioner of Social Security has the authority to make rules, regulations, and procedures consistent with the provisions of the Social Security Act. SSA was required to follow procedures prescribed in law and executive order, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the Congressional Review Act, and Administrative PAYGO.
The four rules we reviewed included (1) Expand the Definition of a Public Assistance Household; (2) Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations; (3) Expansion of the Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income Applicants and Recipients; and (4) Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process, Including How We Consider Past Work.
Results
SSA followed Federal rulemaking requirements to implement the four rules.
In compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, SSA published the four final rules in the Federal Register, including effective dates and a summary of public comments SSA received about each rule. In compliance with the Congressional Review Act, SSA also submitted reports to members of Congress and the Government Accountability Office before each rule became effective. Finally, SSA properly considered Administrative PAYGO requirements and determined three rules were exempt and one rule should be waived, which the Office of Management and Budget approved, from undertaking administrative actions to offset the increases in the Agency's direct spending.
Conclusion
Because Administrative PAYGO expired on December 31, 2024, agencies are no longer required to follow its requirements.
Agency Comments
SSA reviewed our draft report and did not have comments.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/032509.pdf
Social Security IG: Single Audit of the State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 772608) on January 22, 2026, entitled "Single Audit of the State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023."
Here are excerpts:
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BACKGROUND
A single audit is an organization-wide financial statement and Federal awards audit of a non-Federal entity that expends $1 million or more in Federal funds in 1 year. It is intended to assure the Government that a non-Federal entity has adequate internal controls in place and is generally in compliance with program requirements.
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WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 772608) on January 22, 2026, entitled "Single Audit of the State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023."
Here are excerpts:
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BACKGROUND
A single audit is an organization-wide financial statement and Federal awards audit of a non-Federal entity that expends $1 million or more in Federal funds in 1 year. It is intended to assure the Government that a non-Federal entity has adequate internal controls in place and is generally in compliance with program requirements.Non-Federal entities typically include state and local governments, Indian tribes, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
For single audit purposes, the General Services Administration maintains a list of all Federal programs in the Federal Assistance Listing. SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs are identified under listing number 96. SSA is responsible for resolving single audit findings reported under this listing number.
The Illinois Disability Determination Services (DDS) performs disability determinations under SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs in accordance with Federal regulations. SSA reimburses the DDS for 100 percent of allowable costs. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is the Illinois DDS' parent agency.
RESULTS
The single audit found IDHS did not accurately report Federal expenditures under multiple Federal programs, including SSA's. Specifically, expenditures in IDHS financial records did not agree with amounts reported to the Illinois Office of Comptroller on the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA).
For SSA's programs, IDHS reported approximately $939,000 more on the SEFA than reported in its financial records. This occurred because IDHS used different reporting methodologies for its financial records and the SEFA. While the single audit did not identify incorrect expenditures, inaccurate reporting may result in the suspension of IDHS' Federal funding. To address the finding, IDHS created a spreadsheet with expenditure data that compared Illinois Office of Comptroller to the IDHS expenditure data. IDHS will identify and research any discrepancies.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that SSA work with IDHS to ensure it accurately charges expenditures related to SSA programs.
The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards requires that Federal awarding agencies issue a management decision letter on single audit findings within 6 months of acceptance of the audit report by the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The Federal Audit Clearinghouse accepted the single audit of the State of Illinois on September 22, 2025.
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The report is posted at: xxx
Social Security IG: Single Audit of the State of Idaho for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 772614) on January 23, 2026, entitled "Single Audit of the State of Idaho for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024."
Here are excerpts:
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BACKGROUND
A single audit is an organization-wide financial statement and Federal awards audit of a non-Federal entity that expends $1 million or more in Federal funds in 1 year. It is intended to assure the Government that a non-Federal entity has adequate internal controls in place and is generally in compliance with program requirements.
... Show Full Article
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 772614) on January 23, 2026, entitled "Single Audit of the State of Idaho for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024."
Here are excerpts:
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BACKGROUND
A single audit is an organization-wide financial statement and Federal awards audit of a non-Federal entity that expends $1 million or more in Federal funds in 1 year. It is intended to assure the Government that a non-Federal entity has adequate internal controls in place and is generally in compliance with program requirements.Non-Federal entities typically include state and local governments, Indian tribes, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
For single audit purposes, the General Services Administration maintains a list of all Federal programs in the Federal Assistance Listing. SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs are identified under listing number 96. SSA is responsible for resolving single audit findings reported under this listing number.
The Idaho Disability Determination Services (DDS) conducts disability determinations under SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs in accordance with Federal regulations. SSA reimburses the DDS for 100 percent of allowable costs. The Idaho Department of Labor (ID-DOL) is the Idaho DDS' parent agency.
RESULTS
The single audit reported, for 2 quarters the auditor reviewed, the ID-DOL submitted the State Agency Report of Obligations for SSA Disability Programs (Form SSA-4513) and Time Report of Personnel Services for Disability Determination Services (Form SSA-4514) 17 and 23 days (respectively) after the deadline SSA's regional office established.
ID-DOL submitted the reports late because of delays obtaining payroll data. Payroll is processed biweekly for the prior timesheet period, which creates a delay in the availability of the previous month's data. ID-DOL prioritized using actual payroll data to improve accuracy, even if it resulted in late report submissions. Late report submissions may hinder timely oversight and delay identification of potential financial or compliance issues. In response to the single audit, ID-DOL stated it is taking several steps to provide for a faster month-end close to file reports in time.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend SSA work with ID-DOL to ensure timely reporting of the Forms SSA-4513 and SSA-4514.
The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards requires that Federal awarding agencies issue a management decision letter on single audit findings within 6 months of the Federal Audit Clearinghouse accepting the audit report.
The Federal Audit Clearinghouse accepted the single audit of the State of Idaho on December 18, 2025. If you have questions, contact OIG.Audit.Division.7@ssa.gov.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/772614.pdf
Social Security IG: Follow-up on Claims Denied Because Claimants Were Not Insured for Benefits
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued a report (No. 052303) on January 8, 2026, entitled "Follow-up on Claims Denied Because Claimants Were Not Insured for Benefits."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration's (SSA) employees made the correct decisions when they denied retirement applications for claimants who did not appear to be insured for benefits but had covered earnings in the year of filing.
Background
This audit is a follow up to our 2016 review of Retirement Claim Denials
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WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued a report (No. 052303) on January 8, 2026, entitled "Follow-up on Claims Denied Because Claimants Were Not Insured for Benefits."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration's (SSA) employees made the correct decisions when they denied retirement applications for claimants who did not appear to be insured for benefits but had covered earnings in the year of filing.
Background
This audit is a follow up to our 2016 review of Retirement Claim DenialsBecause of Lack of Insured Status.
Generally, to be insured for retirement benefits, a claimant must have 40 quarters of covered earnings and have attained age 62. SSA employees should not deny a retirement claim if the claimant is not insured for benefits at the time of filing but will become insured within 4 months and evidence of the earnings is available.
We obtained the records of 450,209 retirement claims filed between May 2014 and June 2023 that SSA employees determined the claimants lacked insured status. From this, we identified 4,077 claimants who may have been insured because they had 40 or more quarters of coverage in the year of filing.
Results
Of the 100 claimants in our sample, SSA employees denied retirement claims for 43 who alleged lag earnings when they filed their claims, were fully insured, and entitled to retirement benefits but employees did not consider their lag earnings. Despite reminders issued to employees after our prior review, employees denied the retirement claims because they determined the claimants lacked insured status; however, the claimants had lag earnings when they filed their claims.
Based on sample results, we estimate, from May 2014 to June 2023, employees denied retirement benefits to 1,753 claimants who were insured for benefits. Of these, 1,347 claimants were entitled to over $3 million in retirement benefits.
Without controls and processes to ensure employees identify, review, and document lag earnings, SSA will continue denying millions of dollars in retirement benefits to claimants who should be receiving them. Depriving retired individuals of the benefits to which they are entitled could have a significant and harmful effect on beneficiaries, including financial hardship and emotional distress.
Recommendations
We recommend SSA take appropriate action to award retirement benefits to the claimants identified in our audit and establish controls to prevent future errors. SSA agreed to implement our recommendations.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/052303.pdf
IDB Lab Invests in Innogen Delta I to Drive Tech Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation in Central America
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Lab Invests in Innogen Delta I to Drive Tech Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation in Central America
IDB Lab, the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), approved plans to invest up to $2.5 million in Innogen Delta I, the first venture capital fund to focus exclusively on Central American startups, especially in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Innogen Delta I will invite approximately 25 tech startups to develop solutions for structural
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WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Lab Invests in Innogen Delta I to Drive Tech Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation in Central America
IDB Lab, the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), approved plans to invest up to $2.5 million in Innogen Delta I, the first venture capital fund to focus exclusively on Central American startups, especially in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Innogen Delta I will invite approximately 25 tech startups to develop solutions for structuralchallenges in agtech, e-commerce, edtech/future of work, fintech, healthtech, insurtech, logistics, B2B SaaS and other industries. The fund aims to diversify the startup pipeline by investing at least 25% in women-led enterprises, tapping into a market segment with high growth potential and building a more balanced, representative portfolio. In addition to capital, the operation will provide strategy support, business consulting, access to market networks, assistance in expanding to new markets, and future rounds of funding.
The operation strategically incorporates a significant share of domestic capital from the region, with several family offices that bring experience, long-term vision, and a commitment to regional development. In addition to expanding the supply of capital, this mix of local and international investors will help mobilize more resources and consolidate a more robust, sustainable, and well-connected venture capital ecosystem in Central America.
Through this investment, IDB Lab will also help create jobs, grow businesses, and digitalize strategic sectors in the Northern Triangle.
This operation aligns with the IDB Group's IDBImpact+ strategy, which promotes greater development impact and scale and regional economic growth, grounded in knowledge. It will also help broaden access to seed capital, invigorate local innovation ecosystems, and strengthen regional fund managers focused on emerging markets.
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About IDB Lab
IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. We focus on entrepreneurship and technology to cocreate solutions for development challenges and spark new industries for growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Lab supports high-impact startups and the innovation ecosystems they need to thrive through flexible financing, practical knowledge, and global connections. Visit our site: www.idblab.org
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About Innogen
The venture capital firm Innogen invests in dynamic, highly scalable startups in Latin America and the Caribbean. It focuses on tech solutions that boost business productivity, digitalization, and competitiveness, and it works closely with entrepreneurs, providing strategic advice, access to market networks, and support for expansion. Combining regional experience with a commitment to inclusive development, the firm seeks to strengthen Central America's innovation ecosystem and accelerate the growth of businesses with major social and economic potential.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-lab-invests-innogen-delta-i-drive-tech-entrepreneurship-and-digital-transformation-central
EPA Proposes to Give Colorado Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes to Give Colorado Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources
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Keeping promise to fast track UIC permitting, expand cooperative federalism, bolster energy dominance
DENVER - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed approval of the state of Colorado's request to administer permitting for Class VI underground injection wells (UIC) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The proposal would support EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback Exit
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WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes to Give Colorado Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources
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Keeping promise to fast track UIC permitting, expand cooperative federalism, bolster energy dominance
DENVER - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed approval of the state of Colorado's request to administer permitting for Class VI underground injection wells (UIC) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The proposal would support EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback ExitEPA's website initiative, which prioritizes clean and safe water for Americans, restoring American energy dominance and advancing cooperative federalism. EPA is accepting public comments on the proposal through May 4, 2026.
"Congress laid out a clear vision under the Safe Drinking Water Act for delegating decision-making from EPA to the states," said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "This primacy proposal supports Congress' vision and recognizes that Colorado has the local expertise to protect its groundwater resources while supporting economic growth."
After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA is seeking comment on whether Colorado's proposed UIC program meets all requirements for approval and that the state will implement and enforce the program consistent with the SDWA.
EPA is committed to expediting the review of UIC permits and p rimacy applications received by the agency. Today's proposed approval helps fulfill this commitment. To date, six states have received primacy for Class VI wells, including North Dakota and Wyoming in EPA Region 8. More information about UIC primacy Exit EPA's website is available on the EPA website.
EPA is requesting public comment on the agency's proposed decision for 45 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The public can comment on the proposal online through the Federal Register Exit EPA's website using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-2829.
EPA will hold a public hearing virtually on April 23, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. Registration for the hearing is available online Exit EPA's website or by email at UICprimacy@epa.gov.
Background
UIC programs under SDWA play a key role in our nation's economic future by protecting underground drinking water supplies and ensuring that byproducts of industrial and energy projects are safely stored underground. Class VI wells are used to inject carbon dioxide into deep rock formations for long-term underground storage, also known as geologic sequestration.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-give-colorado-primacy-protect-underground-water-resources
