Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
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Reclamation Acts to Protect Colorado River System During Historic Drought
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release:
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Reclamation Acts to Protect Colorado River System During Historic Drought
The prolonged drought combined with the lowest winter snowpack on record is requiring swift actions to protect this vital water system
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Long-term drought has reduced Colorado River system storage to about 36 percent of capacity, and the combination of the lowest snowpack on record and record-breaking March heat has further intensified drought conditions across the Basin. These compounding factors
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WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release:
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Reclamation Acts to Protect Colorado River System During Historic Drought
The prolonged drought combined with the lowest winter snowpack on record is requiring swift actions to protect this vital water system
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Long-term drought has reduced Colorado River system storage to about 36 percent of capacity, and the combination of the lowest snowpack on record and record-breaking March heat has further intensified drought conditions across the Basin. These compounding factorsare creating elevated risks to essential water and power infrastructure that supply water to more than 40 million people, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Lake Powell's water year minimum probable inflow is forecasted at just 2.78 million acre-feet--29% of historical average and one of the lowest on record. Reclamation's April "24 Month Study" projects Lake Powell may decline to below 3,490 feet--the minimum power pool level--by August 2026 without major intervention. If Glen Canyon Dam declines below 3,490 feet, water releases would be only through the river outlet works, which could cause operational issues, uncertainty for users, downstream impacts, instability in regional power and water supplies, and a reduction in power generation.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum met with Governors for the seven basin states, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, and their designees again today to discuss the concerning hydrology and plans for operations.
"I am grateful for the Governors and their teams working diligently to find a solution to the complex challenges created by these unprecedented drought conditions which require immediate action," said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. "Interior and Reclamation continue to coordinate with the basin states, tribes, Mexico and basin stakeholders as we make the decisions necessary to operate and protect the system."
To stabilize the system, Reclamation is moving quickly and initial plans include adding up to about 2.48 maf of water to Lake Powell by moving water from the upstream Flaming Gorge Reservoir and by reducing releases from Lake Powell.
Through the 2019 Drought Response Operating Agreements, Reclamation is intending to release 660,000 acre-feet to 1 maf from Flaming Gorge Reservoir from April 2026 through April 2027. In addition, Reclamation is intending to reduce the annual release volume from Lake Powell to Lake Mead by 1.48 maf--from 7.48 maf to 6.0 maf--through September 2026 by utilizing section 6E of the Record of Decision from the final 2024 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for near-term Colorado River Operations.
Together, these actions are expected to increase Lake Powell's elevation by approximately 54 ft to at least elevation 3500 feet by April 2027. Through the current, ongoing DROA process, the basin states, tribes and partners continue to provide feedback related to the proposed releases. A final decision will be coming next week.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir now holds about 3.1 maf of water, which is 83% full. These actions are expected to lower the reservoir's elevation by roughly 35 feet over the next year to approximately 59% of capacity. This will have no effect on contracted water rights at Flaming Gorge or Lake Powell. No additional releases from the other upstream initial units of the Colorado River Storage Project Act--Blue Mesa and Navajo reservoirs--are planned at this time, due to their low water levels and poor forecasted inflows.
"Given the severity of the risks facing the Colorado River system, it is imperative that we take action quickly to protect a resource that supplies water to 40 million people and supports vital agricultural, hydropower production, tribal, wildlife, and recreational uses across the region," said Assistant Secretary - Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. "As we weigh current conditions and prepare for future operations by working with states, tribal nations and stakeholders, the Department of the Interior and Reclamation remain fully committed to taking the actions necessary to reduce impacts on water deliveries, safeguard critical infrastructure, and preserve as much operational flexibility as possible."
Basin-wide impacts
Reclamation acknowledges that the proposed reduced releases from Lake Powell will accelerate the downstream decline of Lake Mead, with the potential for up to an additional 40% reduction to Hoover Dam's hydropower generating capacity as early as this fall. Reclamation and its lower basin partners are collaborating to conserve water in Lake Mead and maintain its water levels, even as releases from Lake Powell are planned to decrease.
The initial proposed drought response actions may also impact recreation across multiple sites. At upstream reservoirs, boating access may be reduced earlier in the season than normal. In the Grand Canyon, lower flow rates will affect rafting conditions, and fishing may be more challenging. At Lake Mead National Recreation Area, reduced water levels may further limit boating access. Reclamation is working with reservoir recreation management partners now and as the summer progresses.
The 2026 operational challenges come at a time of transition as the existing agreements that guided the operations of the Colorado River for the last two decades are set to expire at the end of the year. As we approach the new water year on October 1, the seven basin states have not reached consensus on a new operating framework. With time running out, there is a need for extraordinary collaboration for 2027 and beyond. In the absence of a consensus and following the completion of the NEPA process, the Interior Department will be prepared to determine operations for Post 2026 later this summer to provide certainty and stability for the Colorado River Basin.
To learn more about the Interior Department's or Reclamation's activities around the Colorado River, please visit the Colorado River Basin website (https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/).
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Original text here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5326
Quentin Vaughan Named General Counsel for Brookhaven Lab
UPTON, New York, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory issued the following news release:
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Quentin Vaughan Named General Counsel for Brookhaven Lab
Attorney Quentin Vaughan has been named general counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. Vaughan brings more than 30 years of legal experience in federal research environments, corporate law, and private practice to Brookhaven Lab.
Vaughan joins Brookhaven from DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where he most recently served as deputy general counsel and,
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UPTON, New York, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory issued the following news release:
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Quentin Vaughan Named General Counsel for Brookhaven Lab
Attorney Quentin Vaughan has been named general counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. Vaughan brings more than 30 years of legal experience in federal research environments, corporate law, and private practice to Brookhaven Lab.
Vaughan joins Brookhaven from DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where he most recently served as deputy general counsel and,previously, acting general counsel.
"Quentin has legal depth and breadth that makes him exceptionally well-suited for Brookhaven Lab," said Interim Laboratory Director John Hill. "His experience in government contracting and complex litigation at DOE's national laboratories will help him provide us with sound counsel as we work towards an exciting future, delivering on our mission and growing the Lab."
As general counsel, Vaughan will oversee Brookhaven's legal affairs. He will advise senior leadership on compliance with federal, state, and local law. He will also serve as board secretary for Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA), which manages and operates Brookhaven Lab on behalf of DOE's Office of Science.
Vaughan succeeds Anne Troutman, who served as the Lab's general counsel since 2013, while she transitions toward retirement.
"Brookhaven Lab is known for its outstanding scientific community. I'm honored and excited to become part of it," Vaughan said. "I look forward to working with my new colleagues while supporting the important research and mission work that take place here."
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About Quentin Vaughan
Vaughan was at LLNL for 11 years, where he held increasingly senior roles. While there, he advised the senior leadership team on legal matters, including litigation, contracts, technology transfer, and regulatory compliance.
While at LLNL, Vaughan and teammates shared a "Best in Class" award from DOE's Technology Transfer Working Group for their work formulating a cancer research collaboration agreement.
Earlier in Vaughan's career, he was senior counsel at Abbott Laboratories in Chicago and the Bay Area as well as a partner at Lewis and Roca (now Womble Bond Dickinson) in Phoenix.
Vaughan is a board member and secretary of the DOE Contractor Attorneys Association. He is also a certified public accountant.
Vaughan earned a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration in public accounting from Loyola University Chicago.
He plans to relocate from Livermore, California, to Suffolk County, New York, this year.
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Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=122898
Pantex Plant Activity Report for Week Ending March 27, 2026
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's Resident Inspector in Pantex issued the following activity report for the week ending March 27, 2026:
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TO: Technical Director
FROM: Pantex Plant Resident Inspectors
SUBJECT: Pantex Plant Activity Report for Week Ending March 27, 2026
Staff Activity: DNFSB staff members were onsite to provide resident inspector augmentation, receive updates on recent issues, and attend briefings for a nuclear explosive safety master study. Additionally, the DNFSB staff held a teleconference with PFO and PXD management as part of a review
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WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's Resident Inspector in Pantex issued the following activity report for the week ending March 27, 2026:
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TO: Technical Director
FROM: Pantex Plant Resident Inspectors
SUBJECT: Pantex Plant Activity Report for Week Ending March 27, 2026
Staff Activity: DNFSB staff members were onsite to provide resident inspector augmentation, receive updates on recent issues, and attend briefings for a nuclear explosive safety master study. Additionally, the DNFSB staff held a teleconference with PFO and PXD management as part of a reviewconcerning the recent exemption from all requirements within Subpart B, Safety Basis Requirements, of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations Part 830, Nuclear Safety Management (10 CFR 830 Subpart B), for the Material Staging Capability project at Pantex.
Exemption Request: This week, PFO received a memo from the NNSA Cognizant Secretarial Officer for Safety that approved a recent request for an exemption (see 3/13/2026 report). NNSA exempted all existing Pantex facilities within a material access area used for staging and transportation of nuclear explosives and special nuclear material from all requirements within 10 CFR 830 Subpart B. The resident inspectors asked PFO and PXD management how this exemption will change how they document and control hazards for the staging and "nonintrusive" activities performed in this material access area. The resident inspectors also questioned the intended scope of these "non-intrusive" activities. PFO and PXD are still evaluating how this exemption will be implemented. NNSA has recently followed this process to exempt the Material Staging Capability project from requirements of 10 CFR 830 Subpart B (see 11/21/2025 and 2/27/2026 reports). Additionally, PFO has endorsed another request from PXD to exempt existing defense nuclear facilities from certain requirements in DOE Order 420.1C, Facility Safety (see 3/20/2026 report).
Onsite Vehicle Accident: Last week, while driving to an assigned work area, a PXD security police officer momentarily lost consciousness and hit a concrete beam support. PXD emergency services transported the individual to a local hospital for further evaluation. While this accident did not occur near defense nuclear facilities, the resident inspectors note that current Pantex safety basis documents deem the impact of these facilities from certain vehicles as not a credible hazard (see 8/2/2024 report). These vehicles are binned in various classes that could exceed the existing impact analyses of defense nuclear facilities at low speeds. The Pantex Sitewide Safety Analysis Report contains an assumption that these vehicles do not pose a credible impact hazard. PXD asserts that if the driver temporarily loses control of the vehicle, they will have sufficient time to regain control prior to impacting a facility. Furthermore, PXD does not currently analyze medical events as hazard scenario initiators. The resident inspectors continue to question this approach given that this accident involved a driver who lost consciousness.
Electrical Receptacle Fire: Earlier this month, PXD convened fact-finding meetings concerning an electrical outlet that had ignited in a material access area (see 3/6/2026 report). During these meetings, PXD personnel conveyed that an extension cord had been plugged into a shop-made electrical cord. PXD sent out a safety bulletin to site personnel noting this as an unacceptable practice and briefed PXD infrastructure personnel on the event. PXD also plans to walk down all charging stations to remove any shop-made electrical cords.
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Original text here: https://www.dnfsb.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/Pantex%20Week%20Ending%20March%2027%202026.pdf
Joint MDBs Statement on Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Value Chains
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following joint statement on April 17, 2026:
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Joint MDBs Statement on Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Value Chains
We, the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), recognize the importance of working together to help build diversified, resilient, and responsible critical minerals to manufacturing value chains, in order to scale up support for clean, affordable, and reliable energy access, as well as the digital and economic transformation of our client countries. We will work with governments, the private sector, workers,
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WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following joint statement on April 17, 2026:
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Joint MDBs Statement on Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Value Chains
We, the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), recognize the importance of working together to help build diversified, resilient, and responsible critical minerals to manufacturing value chains, in order to scale up support for clean, affordable, and reliable energy access, as well as the digital and economic transformation of our client countries. We will work with governments, the private sector, workers,and communities to foster transparent, standards based markets, to add value beyond extraction, and to mobilize capital at scale for projects that meet our respective development goals and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Each party plays distinct roles: client countries provide mineral scale and value-add ambition; global partners bring demand, technology, and capital; and MDBs bridge the two through policy and regulatory support, catalyzing private investment, promotion of regional cooperation, and infrastructure financing.
We will further strengthen our cooperation through a Joint Collaboration Framework that leverages each institution's comparative advantages to deliver more coordinated, timely, scalable, and impactful support to resilient critical minerals to manufacturing value chains across developing countries, while acknowledging our respective institutional mandates, and critical minerals strategies and frameworks. In this context, we will seek to identify opportunities for joint operations -- including through co financing and shared diagnostics, where relevant -- and we will report on progress achieved.
Strengthened and more coordinated support to our client countries will be pursued in the following areas:
1. Policy and Governance Strengthening
* Policy, legal, fiscal, trade, and permitting frameworks, with a view to enabling responsible investment and improving predictability for investors.
* International best environmental and social standards, as well as international best practices in governance, transparency, and accountability.
2. Integrated Infrastructure, Corridor-based Approaches, and Value Chain Expansion
* Quality enabling infrastructure -- including power, transport, logistics, digital connectivity, and water -- that supports critical minerals value chains, fosters innovation, and enables circular economy solutions.
* Projects that maximize local economic benefits, including skilled jobs, SME participation, inclusion of women and vulnerable groups, and community engagement.
* Corridors that link mining activities with processing hubs, create market access for other economic sectors such as agriculture, strengthen regional trade, attract private investment, and promote regional integration -- contributing to broader economic transformation in client countries.
* Value chain expansion and diversification by moving beyond extraction and into processing, manufacturing, and circular value chains in order to drive economic transformations that deepen domestic value addition.
3. Capital Mobilization, Private Sector Investment, and Market Development
* Capital mobilization at scale and acceleration of private sector investments by strengthening project preparation, structuring, and derisking, and by coordinating public and private finance to close viability gaps and deliver bankable, high standard investments.
* Market development by helping our clients enhance market transparency, efficiency, and resilience, including through improved data availability and management.
Our Call to Action
We are committed to urgent and results focused engagement with client countries and global partners to rapidly scale diversified, resilient, and responsible critical minerals to manufacturing value chains. These would be aligned with clients' national priorities, delivering tangible outcomes, including job creation and inclusive economic development that positively impact people for generations to come. We invite all stakeholders to partner with us.
This statement was produced by the following MDBs who were part of the G7 Outreach session in Washington, DC on 17 April 2026: African Development Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/joint-mdbs-statement-critical-minerals-manufacturing-value-chains
FBI Offers $25,000 Reward for Austin Jan Sy Yatco, Fugitive Wanted for Multiple Crimes Against Children
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The FBI issued the following news release on April 17, 2026:
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FBI Offers $25,000 Reward for Austin Jan Sy Yatco, Fugitive Wanted for Multiple Crimes Against Children
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock announced today a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Austin Jan Sy Yatco. Yatco is wanted for his alleged involvement in the exploitation of minor victims between 2019 and 2021, as part of an online group whose members carried out the alleged criminal conduct on a series of gaming and social media platforms.
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WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The FBI issued the following news release on April 17, 2026:
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FBI Offers $25,000 Reward for Austin Jan Sy Yatco, Fugitive Wanted for Multiple Crimes Against Children
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock announced today a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Austin Jan Sy Yatco. Yatco is wanted for his alleged involvement in the exploitation of minor victims between 2019 and 2021, as part of an online group whose members carried out the alleged criminal conduct on a series of gaming and social media platforms.Yatco and the group allegedly coerced minor victims into creating child pornography of themselves and then distributed it among the group and to others.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Austin Jan Sy Yatco on January 23, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, New York, after he was charged with conspiracy to produce child pornography and conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography.
Yatco is alleged to be part of a group that identified themselves as Greggy's Cult, which is an online network that predates a similar group known as 764. Members of these online networks often target vulnerable populations including children, across the United States and around the globe, to engage in self-harm, produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM), engage in acts of animal cruelty, sexually exploit siblings, and in some cases encourage victims to attempt suicide.
Austin Jan Sy Yatco has longstanding ties to Plano, Texas, where he lived before fleeing the United States. He also has ties in the Philippines and is believed to be located there.
"The FBI continues to prioritize the investigation of predators that threaten the safety of our children. We are committed to apprehending Austin Yatco, bringing justice to his victims, and preventing future abuse. We encourage the public to come forward with any information that could lead to his apprehension," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
If you have information about Austin Jan Sy Yatco, call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the FBI's Dallas Field Office at 972-559-5000. Tips can also be submitted digitally at tips.fbi.gov or at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. All information can remain anonymous, and confidentiality is guaranteed.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI's Dallas Field Office. Yatco will be prosecuted in the Eastern District of New York.
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Original text here: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases
Energy Deputy Secretary Danly Commends FERC Action on Large Load Interconnection Reform
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following statement on April 17, 2026:
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Energy Deputy Secretary Danly Commends FERC Action on Large Load Interconnection Reform
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly issued the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) announced it will take action by June 2026 on the large load interconnection proceeding initiated at the direction of U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright:
"FERC's announcement today demonstrates Chairman Swett's commitment to implement Secretary Wright's
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WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following statement on April 17, 2026:
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Energy Deputy Secretary Danly Commends FERC Action on Large Load Interconnection Reform
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly issued the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) announced it will take action by June 2026 on the large load interconnection proceeding initiated at the direction of U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright:
"FERC's announcement today demonstrates Chairman Swett's commitment to implement Secretary Wright'sdirective that the Commission ensure the timely and orderly integration of large electric loads that deliver on President Trump's goal of American energy dominance.
"I expect that the Commission will act quickly and decisively to improve interconnection processes, support the co-location of load and generation, and accelerate the addition of new generation to ensure that supply is built alongside demand--delivering affordable, reliable, and secure energy for all Americans.
"Having served at FERC as commissioner and chairman, I understand FERC's role in ensuring the reliability of the nation's bulk power system, and I commend Chairman Swett for focusing on affordability and reliability."
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Original text here: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-deputy-secretary-danly-commends-ferc-action-large-load-interconnection-reform
DOJ and FTC Extend Deadline for Public Comment on Guidance on Business Collaborations
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release:
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DOJ and FTC Extend Deadline for Public Comment on Guidance on Business Collaborations
The Justice Department's Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (Agencies) hereby extend the period for receiving public comments on their inquiry for consideration of guidance on collaborations among competitors, that was announced on Feb. 23, 2026.
The Agencies are extending the comment period deadline from April 24, 2026 to May 21, 2026 to give all stakeholders more time to provide fulsome input
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WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release:
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DOJ and FTC Extend Deadline for Public Comment on Guidance on Business Collaborations
The Justice Department's Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (Agencies) hereby extend the period for receiving public comments on their inquiry for consideration of guidance on collaborations among competitors, that was announced on Feb. 23, 2026.
The Agencies are extending the comment period deadline from April 24, 2026 to May 21, 2026 to give all stakeholders more time to provide fulsome inputon the development of up-to-date guidance to the business community, building on the previous 2000 Antitrust Guidelines for Collaborations Among Competitors.
Interested parties, including attorneys, economists, academics, consumer groups, industry stakeholders or other members of the public, may now submit public comments no longer than 18 pages to Regulations.gov until May 21, 2026. The information submitted will be used by the Agencies to consider updated guidance.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/doj-and-ftc-extend-deadline-public-comment-guidance-business-collaborations
