Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
SBA Announces Agency-Wide Reorganization to Modernize, Drive Operational Efficiency, and Enhance Accountability to Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, June 6 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on June 5, 2026:
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SBA Announces Agency-Wide Reorganization to Modernize, Drive Operational Efficiency, and Enhance Accountability to Taxpayers
Reforms Strengthen SBA's Service Levels, Technology, and Access for Small Businesses and Disaster Survivors
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Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced an agency-wide reorganization designed to modernize its organizational structure, improve operational efficiency to better serve small businesses, and strengthen accountability to taxpayers.
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WASHINGTON, June 6 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on June 5, 2026:
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SBA Announces Agency-Wide Reorganization to Modernize, Drive Operational Efficiency, and Enhance Accountability to Taxpayers
Reforms Strengthen SBA's Service Levels, Technology, and Access for Small Businesses and Disaster Survivors
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Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced an agency-wide reorganization designed to modernize its organizational structure, improve operational efficiency to better serve small businesses, and strengthen accountability to taxpayers.By aligning employees around departmental expertise and management, the reorganization will reduce significant duplication across areas like technology, finance, and human resources. Alignment around centers of excellence will improve coordination and reduce unnecessary overhead, strengthening the SBA's ability to deliver results for small businesses, disaster survivors, and taxpayers well into the future. SBA services and core functions will benefit as the agency shifts its focus from managing layers of internal bureaucracy to performance and service.
"The American people deserve an SBA that holds itself to the standards held by the small businesses we serve - with a relentless focus on quality, service levels, and efficiency," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Last year, after reducing agency headcount by over fifty percent and returning to full-time, in-office work, the SBA delivered record capital to small businesses. We restored the agency to its founding mission, took decisive action to cut waste, fraud, and abuse, and rebuilt the agency's operational and financial accountability. This reorganization builds on that progress to create a stronger, modernized, and efficient SBA that is better positioned to serve entrepreneurs, job creators, and disaster survivors while safeguarding taxpayer dollars."
As part of the reorganization, the SBA is consolidating functions under their respective expertise-focused offices to drive operational consistency and align employees with similar responsibilities and shared objectives. The consolidations will break down internal silos, eliminate costly redundancies, standardize operational processes, and maximize resource efficiency, while empowering program offices to scale operations smoothly, accelerate decision-making, and reduce overhead. This includes:
Additionally, the SBA is formally establishing the Faith Office and the Office of Rural Affairs to improve service delivery to faith-based communities, rural small businesses, and domestic manufacturers.
The reorganization builds on the SBA's broader effort to create a leaner, more accountable, and mission-focused agency. In 2025, the SBA reduced its workforce by over 50%, cut roughly $300 million in annual spending, terminated or paused more than 120 contracts, consolidated nearly half of its leases, and reduced its operating budget by 33%. This reorganization continues that work by eliminating redundancies and wasteful spending while delivering greater value for taxpayers.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/06/05/sba-announces-agency-wide-reorganization-modernize-drive-operational-efficiency-enhance
NASA's INCUS Mission on Road to Launch, Study Storms From Space
PASADENA, California, June 6 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA's INCUS Mission on Road to Launch, Study Storms From Space
The mission's three SmallSats will provide insights to improve storm forecasting, potentially mitigating loss of life and property damage in affected communities.
Teams working on NASA's INCUS (Investigation of Convective Updrafts) mission, the first space-based survey of the dynamics of tropical convective storms, have completed assembly and tested two of the mission's small satellites, or SmallSats.
Testing continues on
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PASADENA, California, June 6 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA's INCUS Mission on Road to Launch, Study Storms From Space
The mission's three SmallSats will provide insights to improve storm forecasting, potentially mitigating loss of life and property damage in affected communities.
Teams working on NASA's INCUS (Investigation of Convective Updrafts) mission, the first space-based survey of the dynamics of tropical convective storms, have completed assembly and tested two of the mission's small satellites, or SmallSats.
Testing continues onthe third SmallSat and is scheduled for completion no earlier than September in advance of a 2027 launch.
Characterized by the sudden and intense lifting of large amounts of air and water, tropical convective storms provide more than half of the world's precipitation, a crucial source of life-supporting fresh water. But they also produce severe weather, which can increase risks to life and property.
The INCUS mission will help improve understanding of where, when, and why convective storms form. Read more here (https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/smallsatellites/2026/06/05/nasas-incus-mission-on-road-to-launch-study-storms-from-space/).
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-incus-mission-on-road-to-launch-study-storms-from-space/
SBA Suspends 27,486 Ohio Borrowers Connected to $1.1 Billion in Suspected Fraudulent Pandemic-Era Loans
WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on June 4, 2026:
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SBA Suspends 27,486 Ohio Borrowers Connected to $1.1 Billion in Suspected Fraudulent Pandemic-Era Loans
Announcement Comes as Four Ohio Borrowers Charged with PPP Fraud
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Today, in consultation with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the suspension of 27,486 Ohio borrowers connected to approximately $1.1 billion in suspected fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
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WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on June 4, 2026:
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SBA Suspends 27,486 Ohio Borrowers Connected to $1.1 Billion in Suspected Fraudulent Pandemic-Era Loans
Announcement Comes as Four Ohio Borrowers Charged with PPP Fraud
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Today, in consultation with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the suspension of 27,486 Ohio borrowers connected to approximately $1.1 billion in suspected fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)activity. The announcement comes after SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and members of the Task Force held a press conference in Ohio to announce new fraud enforcement actions across the state - including indictments against four alleged Ohio-based pandemic fraudsters tied to over $1.4 million in pandemic-era fraud.
"The Trump Administration delivered a clear message in Ohio today: if you defraud federal programs at any level, we will find you, and work with law enforcement to hold you accountable," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Vice President Vance's leadership of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud represents a historic partnership that is delivering unprecedented wins in the fight to root out fraud and recover taxpayer dollars, while past Administrations looked the other way at known criminal activity. At the Trump SBA, we are ensuring that those who defrauded pandemic relief loans -- meant for legitimate small businesses -- will not only lose access to our programs, they will also answer for their crimes in a court of law. We will continue to work at the federal level and on a state-by-state basis to advance accountability and recover taxpayer funds."
These latest suspensions are part of the SBA's state-by-state effort to identify and take action against borrowers suspected of defrauding the agency's pandemic relief loan programs. This year, the SBA has announced suspensions against 6,900 Minnesota borrowers tied to approximately $400 million in suspected fraud, 112,000 California borrowers tied to $8.6 billion in suspected fraud, and 1,500 Maine borrowers tied to $93 million in suspected fraud. Suspended borrowers are prohibited from receiving future small business and disaster loans and are not eligible for other SBA programs such as federal contracting in the 8(a) Business Development Program.
These announcements represent the latest victory for the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in its effort to root out pandemic relief fraud, recover taxpayer dollars, and hold bad actors accountable. In April, working in coordination with the Task Force, SBA launched its largest fraud enforcement action to date -- and the largest referral package in agency history -- by referring more than 560,000 suspected fraudulent borrowers tied to $22 billion in pandemic-era loans to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for collection.
Separately, the DOJ has charged four Ohio individuals as part of a conspiracy scheme to defraud the government out of more than $1.4 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The defendants allegedly submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of businesses, prompting the SBA and its lenders to approve the loans and ultimately forgive the entire amount of each loan. Defendants allegedly provided false information on their PPP loan applications and misused the proceeds on personal expenses. If convicted, the defendants could face criminal penalties including restitution, fines, and imprisonment.
Since Day One, the Trump SBA has worked to crack down on an estimated $200 billion in pandemic-era fraud left unaddressed during the Biden Administration. The agency continues to coordinate with federal law enforcement partners to pursue recoveries, civil penalties, and criminal penalties where appropriate. SBA will also continue working with its Office of Inspector General to investigate additional fraud in states across the country.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/06/04/sba-suspends-27486-ohio-borrowers-connected-11-billion-suspected-fraudulent-pandemic-era-loans
SBA Offers Relief to South Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Offers Relief to South Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
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SBA is working to modernize our online experience for borrowers, lenders, and taxpayers alike. Help us test our new website.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/06/05/sba-offers-relief-south-dakota-small-businesses-private-nonprofits-affected-drought
EPA Splits Ozone Nonattainment Areas and Reduces Regulatory Burdens Across Parts of Maryland, Delaware
WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Splits Ozone Nonattainment Areas and Reduces Regulatory Burdens Across Parts of Maryland, Delaware
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PHILADELPHIA \- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Maryland and Delaware's requests to redesignate Cecil County, Maryland, and New Castle County, Delaware, as separate ozone nonattainment areas (NAA) from the Philadelphia ozone NAA. This action, based on gold standard scientific data, recognizes that improved air quality in both Cecil and New Castle counties and will
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WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Splits Ozone Nonattainment Areas and Reduces Regulatory Burdens Across Parts of Maryland, Delaware
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PHILADELPHIA \- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Maryland and Delaware's requests to redesignate Cecil County, Maryland, and New Castle County, Delaware, as separate ozone nonattainment areas (NAA) from the Philadelphia ozone NAA. This action, based on gold standard scientific data, recognizes that improved air quality in both Cecil and New Castle counties and willlift regulatory burdens on local businesses while ensuring progress towards cleaner air counties. Through this final rule, the Trump EPA is proving, once again, that protecting human health and the environment while growing the economy is not a binary choice.
" Today's action reflects a careful, science-based review demonstrating Cecil County and New Castle County are not driving ozone problems in the Philadelphia area," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey. "This boundary update recognizes local air quality progress while keeping in place the Clean Air Act protections that safeguard human health and the environment."
After conducting a standard five-factor analysis and careful review, EPA has determined that activity in these counties do not lead to any air quality violations in the Philadelphia ozone NAA. This means these counties can be separated from the Philadelphia ozone NAA without compromising on improving the region's air quality.
Additionally, based on two three-year periods of quality-assured and certified data, EPA is issuing clean data determinations (CDD) for both counties for the 2008 and 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The CDDs would suspend the obligations of Maryland and Delaware to submit certain nonattainment planning requirements for their respective NAAs for as long as the areas continue to attain the 2008 and 2015 ozone standards.
EPA, through cooperative federalism, will continue to work with Maryland and Delaware to promote prosperity in the states while fulfilling the agency's core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
To read the final rule please visit https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-11169 Exit EPA's website.
Background
On February 13, 2025, Maryland's governor and on August 15, 2025, Delaware's governor requested EPA revise the designation for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City area for the 2008 and 2015 primary and secondary ozone NAAQS.
An NAA is a region where air quality does not meet EPA's NAAQS Exit EPA's website for certain pollutants, as defined by the Clean Air Act. These classifications help provide information on air quality within a given area. NAAs can be made up of multiple counties, parts of different states, or even large metropolitan regions that cross state lines.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-splits-ozone-nonattainment-areas-and-reduces-regulatory-burdens-across-parts
EPA Bolsters U.S. Steel Production in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Bolsters U.S. Steel Production in Minnesota
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WASHINGTON \- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule revising the Obama-era regional haze Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the United States Steel Corporation's (U.S. Steel) Keetac taconite facility in Keewatin, Minnesota. The revision modifies emission limits to feasible levels to ensure the continuation of vital steel production and simultaneously reduce emissions compared to today. The final action showcases
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WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Bolsters U.S. Steel Production in Minnesota
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WASHINGTON \- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule revising the Obama-era regional haze Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the United States Steel Corporation's (U.S. Steel) Keetac taconite facility in Keewatin, Minnesota. The revision modifies emission limits to feasible levels to ensure the continuation of vital steel production and simultaneously reduce emissions compared to today. The final action showcasesthat economic prosperity and improved visibility in the country's national parks are not a binary choice.
American steel production is essential to supporting our economic and national security needs, particularly for applications in the defense industry, homeland security, and critical infrastructure. Minnesota and Michigan account for virtually all domestic taconite production, which is essential for more than 90 percent of the nation's domestic iron ore supply. The Keetac facility uses locally mined taconite and supports thousands of good-paying direct and indirect jobs in Minnesota, including taconite mining and processing jobs.
"Implementation of the regional haze program should not cripple industry vital to the American economy. The Trump EPA has taken great strides to prove that we don't have to choose between economic prosperity and environment protection," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "American steel protection is vital to our nation's national security, future, and job security for thousands of Americans. Today's action safeguards all those aspects while promoting improved visibility in our national parks."
In 2013, the Obama EPA promulgated a FIP that set infeasible emission limits for several taconite facilities in Michigan and Minnesota. The Keetac facility was among the many facilities burdened by the Obama-era action. Based on gold standard scientific studies and analyses of emission controls, EPA has determined that new and achievable emission standards can be set for the facility while maintaining regional haze requirements. This FIP revision will result in further NO x reductions compared to current emissions, improving visibility in nearby national parks and wilderness areas.
EPA's final action will give the facility the needed flexibility to continue to produce steel essential for powering America's economy and protecting the nation's national security, while putting the environment at the forefront.
Background
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires each state to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to meet various air quality requirements, including protection of visibility. Regional haze SIPs must assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. A state must submit applicable SIP revisions to EPA for approval. If a state elects not to make a required SIP submittal, fails to make a required SIP submittal, or if the EPA finds that a state's required submittal is incomplete or not approvable, the agency must promulgate a FIP.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-bolsters-us-steel-production-minnesota
EPA Announces $40 Million WIFIA Loan to Expand Wastewater Services in Northeastern Nebraska
WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces $40 Million WIFIA Loan to Expand Wastewater Services in Northeastern Nebraska
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection announced a $40 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan for South Sioux City, Nebraska, to support upgrades and expansions to its wastewater treatment facility. This loan will help the city install new systems to treat wastewater, reducing costs for residents and businesses while protecting local waterbodies.
"Small and rural
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WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces $40 Million WIFIA Loan to Expand Wastewater Services in Northeastern Nebraska
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection announced a $40 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan for South Sioux City, Nebraska, to support upgrades and expansions to its wastewater treatment facility. This loan will help the city install new systems to treat wastewater, reducing costs for residents and businesses while protecting local waterbodies.
"Small and ruralcommunities are the backbone of America, and it is a priority for EPA that they have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water and wastewater services," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. "Congratulations to South Sioux City, Nebraska for securing this $40 million WIFIA Loan! This is just the beginning of a partnership that will reduce water bills, improve quality of life, protect the Missouri River, and advance economic opportunity for the region."
"This project will increase capacity and certainty around wastewater services and advance economic opportunities for northeast Nebraska," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy. "Treating wastewater with a modern facility that can grow with the community means greater local control for households and businesses."
South Sioux City will use WIFIA financing for its Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project, which will directly provide wastewater services to residential and commercial customers rather than transporting wastewater to a neighboring city for treatment. This project includes the planning, design, and construction of the expansions that are ultimately expected to reduce operating costs. The city will also collect and sell biogas to a nearby natural gas facility, which will offset rate increases and create affordable energy.
Assistant Administrator Kramer announced the South Sioux City loan during a virtual press conference along with officials from the State of Nebraska and the city.
"Water, and water infrastructure that ensures its quality, are critical to Nebraska's prosperity. Wastewater sanitation stands out as one of the most transformative, lifesaving public health innovations in over a century," said Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. "I am grateful for this tremendous investment by our federal partners and honored to be part of announcing these federal resources coming to our state."
"Securing these funds will allow South Sioux City to make needed upgrades and expand their wastewater treatment plant," said Senator Pete Ricketts. "I have toured this facility. As Governor and now as Senator, I have supported South Sioux City's efforts. This $40 million granted under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) is a continuation of that support."
"Infrastructure shapes our daily lives, and few elements are more vital than water systems. I appreciate the administration's collaboration with South Sioux City on this project, which will bring lasting benefits to families, businesses, and the entire community," said U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith.
"I am truly thankful for the cooperation of the federal government, State of Nebraska, and the City of South Sioux City in working together to provide a basic wastewater service for our existing and ever-expanding community," said South Sioux City Mayor Rod Koch. "We are grateful for our partnership in seeing this to success."
"It is remarkable of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local officials work together to solve a wastewater issue that affects so many citizens and industries," said South Sioux City Administrator Lance Hedquist. "Thanks to all for this outstanding unified effort."
EPA's WIFIA program provides a powerful financial tool that can significantly accelerate investments in water infrastructure to protect human health and the environment while saving communities millions of dollars. South Sioux City is a small community with a population of 14,000 and was able to finance over 60% of the total project costs with this WIFIA loan. EPA's WIFIA program provides flexibility for the city to spread loan payments gradually over time to reduce impacts on wastewater bills. EPA's WIFIA loan will save the city $15 million over the life of the loan.
Since issuing its first loan in 2018, EPA's WIFIA program has announced $24 billion in financing for water infrastructure projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 170,000 jobs. Through its flexible financing features and competitive interest rates, WIFIA helps communities save money, and even accelerate water infrastructure investments.
WIFIA has approximately $11 billion in flexible financing available to support additional water infrastructure projects across the country, including in small communities and rural America where WIFIA can finance up to 80% of project costs. Additionally, the agency's State WIFIA program has approximately $3 billion available for loans to State infrastructure financing authorities. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for funding through WIFIA and State WIFIA.
Learn more about EPA's WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments, including how to submit a letter of interest.
Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program aims to accelerate investment in the nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-40-million-wifia-loan-expand-wastewater-services-northeastern-nebraska
