Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
EPA IG: Summary Report: The EPA's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates Program
WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-N-0021) entitled "Summary Report: The EPA's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates Program."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General initiated this project to summarize findings from prior EPA OIG reports on the EPA's management of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates Program that could help inform
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WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-N-0021) entitled "Summary Report: The EPA's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates Program."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General initiated this project to summarize findings from prior EPA OIG reports on the EPA's management of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates Program that could help informthe Agency's decision-making when funding future programs.
Summary of Findings
We reviewed five previously issued EPA OIG reports related to the EPA's 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates Program. From those, we identified two main issues with the program: the application and selection process and the management of funds. We also analyzed the 11 recommendations that we made to the EPA to address the deficiencies identified in those five prior reports. The Agency has completed or is in the process of implementing corrective actions for all 11 prior recommendations.
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The report is posted at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-04/_epaoig_20260401-26-n-0021_cert.pdf
Postal Service IG: Management Alert: Emerging Counterfeit Label Trend
WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (25-072-3-R26) on April 8, 2026, entitled "Management Alert: Emerging Counterfeit Label Trend."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
This management alert presents issues the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General identified during the Counterfeit Postage Program audit. Our objective is to promptly notify the U.S. Postal Service about an identified deficiency in the detection of counterfeit package labels.
Background
The Postal Service is a self-funded entity that primarily
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WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (25-072-3-R26) on April 8, 2026, entitled "Management Alert: Emerging Counterfeit Label Trend."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
This management alert presents issues the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General identified during the Counterfeit Postage Program audit. Our objective is to promptly notify the U.S. Postal Service about an identified deficiency in the detection of counterfeit package labels.
Background
The Postal Service is a self-funded entity that primarilyfinances its operations through postage sales, with package delivery comprising a major portion of its services. During fiscal year 2025, the Postal Service shipped 6.8 billion packages, generating $32.6 billion in revenue. The Postal Service offers both domestic and international shipping services for purchase through multiple channels, including third party vendors, its Click-N-Ship online service, and over the retail counter at local post offices. Foreign postal operators also sell shipping labels for packages that are shipped from other countries and are sent to the United States.
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View the original text at: https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2026-04/25-072-3-r26.pdf
EPA IG: Review of the EPA's Water Earmark Drawdown Documentation
WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (26-N-0023) entitled "Review of the EPA's Water Earmark Drawdown Documentation."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Report
We initiated an audit to determine whether the EPA is awarding water funding for congressionally directed spending and community project funding, commonly known as "earmarks," in accordance with federal and EPA requirements. While conducting work on this audit, which remains ongoing, we are issuing this report to inform the Agency that the OIG has concerns
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WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (26-N-0023) entitled "Review of the EPA's Water Earmark Drawdown Documentation."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Report
We initiated an audit to determine whether the EPA is awarding water funding for congressionally directed spending and community project funding, commonly known as "earmarks," in accordance with federal and EPA requirements. While conducting work on this audit, which remains ongoing, we are issuing this report to inform the Agency that the OIG has concernsabout a lack of post-award monitoring documentation for the drawing down of these grant funds.
Summary of Findings
The EPA did not always ensure that its personnel documented why grant recipients did not draw down earmark funds in their monitoring reports. The EPA's Policy on Compliance, Review and Monitoring requires regional office personnel to conduct annual grant monitoring, which may include, as appropriate, whether expended and remaining funds are reasonable.
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The report is posted at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-04/_epaoig_20260415-26-n-0023_cert.pdf
Postal Service IG: Virginia District: Delivery Operations in the Norfolk and Lynchburg Areas
WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (26-044) on April 9, 2026, entitled "Virginia District: Delivery Operations in the Norfolk and Lynchburg Areas."
Here are excerpts:
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During the week of February 9, 2026, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Norfolk Local Processing Center (LPC), three delivery units serviced by the plant, and a fourth delivery unit in the Virginia District. The delivery units included the Norfolk Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC) and Lynchburg, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach Main Post Offices
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WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (26-044) on April 9, 2026, entitled "Virginia District: Delivery Operations in the Norfolk and Lynchburg Areas."
Here are excerpts:
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During the week of February 9, 2026, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Norfolk Local Processing Center (LPC), three delivery units serviced by the plant, and a fourth delivery unit in the Virginia District. The delivery units included the Norfolk Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC) and Lynchburg, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach Main Post Offices(MPO).
We issued individual reports for the four delivery units and the LPC. We will also issue another report summarizing the results of our audits at all four delivery units with specific recommendations for management to address.
The audit team identified deficiencies in seven areas we reviewed affecting mail delivery and property conditions at the delivery units.
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View the original text at: https://www.uspsoig.gov/reports/audit-reports/virginia-district-delivery-operations-norfolk-and-lynchburg-areas
EPA IG: Audit of Procurement Risk Related to Construction Bidding Processes for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Projects
WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (26-P-0022) entitled "Audit of Procurement Risk Related to Construction Bidding Processes for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Projects."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General performed this audit to determine whether the EPA's annual appropriations and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, funds in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, or CWSRF, Program are at risk from procurement fraud
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WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (26-P-0022) entitled "Audit of Procurement Risk Related to Construction Bidding Processes for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Projects."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General performed this audit to determine whether the EPA's annual appropriations and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, funds in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, or CWSRF, Program are at risk from procurement fraudrelated to construction bidding processes.
Summary of Findings
Federal dollars flowing through the CWSRF Program are at risk of procurement fraud in the construction bidding process. This risk primarily stems from two factors. First, the CWSRF Program's structure as a partnership between the EPA and the states means that the states are primarily responsible for administering the state-level programs and projects. Second, the Uniform Guidance provides that loans from a pass-through entity to a subrecipient, such as loans made under a state revolving fund program, are not subject to the procurement standards.
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The report is posted at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-04/_epaoig_20260408-26-p-0022_cert.pdf
GSA Sells Excess Federal Property in Arden Hills, Minnesota
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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GSA Sells Excess Federal Property in Arden Hills, Minnesota
Sale of the former U.S. Army manufacturing site reduces federal footprint
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the completion of a $3.58 million auction of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills, Minnesota. The sale marks a strategic step in ongoing efforts by GSA to eliminate liabilities and cut costs for the American taxpayer.
"GSA continues to deliver on President
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WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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GSA Sells Excess Federal Property in Arden Hills, Minnesota
Sale of the former U.S. Army manufacturing site reduces federal footprint
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the completion of a $3.58 million auction of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills, Minnesota. The sale marks a strategic step in ongoing efforts by GSA to eliminate liabilities and cut costs for the American taxpayer.
"GSA continues to deliver on PresidentTrump's directive to reduce waste and fortify the federal portfolio," said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst. "This sale will save taxpayers approximately $3 million and create economic opportunity for the region."
Completed in 1942 for WWII ammunition production, the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant operated for five decades, supporting various military and commercial uses. The Army, working closely with the EPA, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, restored the property to meet required state and national environmental standards.
The disposal of this 62-acre property containing obsolete infrastructure eliminates a significant burden from the federal inventory.
In addition to the sale of this property, GSA has listed other buildings for potential disposal to ensure taxpayers no longer pay for underutilized federal office space. GSA projects that the sale of these buildings will eliminate $5 billion in delinquent maintenance and annual operating costs.
GSA remains committed to solving long-term problems that exist in the federal portfolio of assets, reducing waste, and delivering long-term value to the American people.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of approximately 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $126 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
Contact
press@gsa.gov
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Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-sells-excess-federal-property-in-arden-hills-minnesota-04212026
Amtrak IG: 'Asset Management: Better Governance and Data Would Improve Company Efforts to Achieve a State of Good Repair'
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Inspector General issued the following audit report (OIG-A-2026-004) on April 10, 2026, entitled "Asset Management: Better Governance and Data Would Improve Company Efforts to Achieve a State of Good Repair."
Here are excerpts:
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We found that since 2016 the company has made targeted improvements to the processes and data it uses to manage its state-of-good-repair (SOGR) work, and other improvement initiatives are underway. Despite these efforts, the company's infrastructure asset management capabilities have not
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WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Inspector General issued the following audit report (OIG-A-2026-004) on April 10, 2026, entitled "Asset Management: Better Governance and Data Would Improve Company Efforts to Achieve a State of Good Repair."
Here are excerpts:
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We found that since 2016 the company has made targeted improvements to the processes and data it uses to manage its state-of-good-repair (SOGR) work, and other improvement initiatives are underway. Despite these efforts, the company's infrastructure asset management capabilities have notadvanced significantly because it has not yet taken some foundational steps, including fully establishing a governance framework and strengthening its SOGR infrastructure asset data. Until it addresses these issues, it cannot reasonably demonstrate how the federal funds it receives will reduce its SOGR backlog or the timeline to eliminate it.
We recommended that the company fully establish a governance framework for infrastructure asset management that includes specific objectives and performance metrics, as well as defined activities and resources needed to achieve a state of good repair. Further, we recommended that the company better communicate roles and responsibilities of staff and departments involved in SOGR work. We also recommended advancing ongoing data improvement efforts and developing additional controls to help maintain a complete, accurate inventory.
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View full report at https://amtrakoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/OIG-A-2026-004%20State%20of%20Good%20Repair.pdf
EPA Proposes Repeal of 2024 Nonattainment Decision for Utah's Northern Wasatch Front to Prevent Area from Being Penalized for Foreign Emissions
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes Repeal of 2024 Nonattainment Decision for Utah's Northern Wasatch Front to Prevent Area from Being Penalized for Foreign Emissions
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed repealing the Biden Administration's December 2024 decision to reclassify Utah's Northern Wasatch Front (which includes the Salt Lake City metropolitan area) from a "Moderate" to a "Serious" nonattainment area under the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Utilizing section
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WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes Repeal of 2024 Nonattainment Decision for Utah's Northern Wasatch Front to Prevent Area from Being Penalized for Foreign Emissions
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed repealing the Biden Administration's December 2024 decision to reclassify Utah's Northern Wasatch Front (which includes the Salt Lake City metropolitan area) from a "Moderate" to a "Serious" nonattainment area under the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Utilizing section179B of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is proposing that the Northern Wasatch Front (NWF) would have met federal ozone air quality standards by its August 3, 2024, deadline if not for emissions transported into the area from outside the United States. If finalized, this proposal would ensure that manufacturers and residents in Utah's NWF are not penalized for pollution originating beyond their borders and control, allowing the region to continue growing and developing while maintaining clean air.
"In response to the many Utahns who have raised concerns, I repealed EPA's burdensome Clean Air Act 179B Guidance that unfairly penalized Americans for pollution caused by other nations with weaker environmental standards," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "Utah now stands to potentially benefit from this action. The Trump EPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring clean air for every American. Through cooperative federalism, we will continue partnering with states to advance both economic growth and environmental protection."
"If finalized, this proposal would prevent burdensome regulations that are beyond Utah's control, saving time and money while ensuring Americans have clean air," said EPA Region 8 Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "This is critical for Utah, where international emissions drive exceedances. With this proposal, EPA is working to cut costly red tape so that communities and businesses can focus on growth."
This proposal follows multiple reconsideration requests from the Utah congressional delegation, the State of Utah, and state and local industry, including a submission of a 179B technical analysis by the State. The technical analysis demonstrated that international emissions, along with smoke from wildfires, contributed to the area's ozone exceedances. Both of these factors are outside of Utah's control and cannot be mitigated through additional local controls. If finalized, EPA's proposed action would allow the NWF ozone nonattainment area to remain classified as "Moderate" and require it to continue meeting all applicable CAA requirements for that classification.
Under the CAA, areas that fail to attain the federal ozone air quality standards by their attainment date are reclassified to a higher nonattainment level, which triggers more stringent requirements.
Prior to EPA Administrator Zeldin's leadership, states had an unnecessarily difficult time demonstrating that foreign air pollution harmed Americans within their borders and achieving attainment because of unworkable guidance. On April 7, 2025, while in Utah, Administrator Zeldin rescinded the Guidance on the Preparation of CAA Section 179B Demonstrations for Nonattainment Areas Affected by International Transport of Emissions, and pledged that through cooperative federalism the agency would work with state and local air agencies to develop the evidence necessary to grant regulatory relief under CAA section 179B.
Under Administrator Zeldin's leadership and his Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, EPA is committed to cooperative federalism and looks forward to continuing to work with states to ensure they meet their statutory obligations and provide clean air for their citizens.
EPA will hold a 30-day public comment period.
Background:
On March 5, 2025, EPA agreed to reconsider its determination that Utah's NWF area failed to attain the 2015 Ozone NAAQS in a timely manner, and the resulting reclassification of the area from "Moderate" to "Serious" nonattainment.
Today's announcement follows EPA's March 2026 determination to not reclassify the Phoenix-Mesa area from "Moderate" to "Serious" nonattainment under the 2015 Ozone NAAQS, marking the first time EPA has used Section 179B authority since Administrator Zeldin rescinded the burdensome 179B guidance.
EPA established the 2015 Ozone NAAQS standards at 70 parts per billion to protect public health and the environment. Learn more about the Clean Air Act and NAAQS.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-repeal-2024-nonattainment-decision-utahs-northern-wasatch-front-prevent
