Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
New Daily Pacific Surfliner Train Connects Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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New Daily Pacific Surfliner Train Connects Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo
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LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, and Ventura County Transportation Commission are collaborating to expand service and improve regional mobility starting Monday, May 4, 2026.
ORANGE, Calif. - The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, in partnership with the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), today announced
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WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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New Daily Pacific Surfliner Train Connects Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo
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LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, and Ventura County Transportation Commission are collaborating to expand service and improve regional mobility starting Monday, May 4, 2026.
ORANGE, Calif. - The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, in partnership with the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), today announcedthe launch of a new daily Pacific Surfliner roundtrip between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, expanding travel and commuter options for riders along California's Central Coast.
The service expansion, which begins May 4, 2026, increases Pacific Surfliner frequencies to six daily trips to Goleta and three daily trips to San Luis Obispo, improving weekday commuter flexibility and regional connectivity between Los Angeles, Ventura County, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.
The additional roundtrip improves schedule availability during peak weekday rush hour periods while offering riders a comfortable alternative to driving.
"Expanding Pacific Surfliner service helps strengthen regional mobility and provides travelers with more convenient options along the Central Coast," said Jason Jewell, Managing Director of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency. "This new roundtrip improves connectivity across the corridor and offers riders a comfortable alternative to driving."
For Ventura County residents and commuters, the expanded service provides additional travel flexibility between Ventura County and destinations throughout the corridor.
"This new roundtrip strengthens Ventura County's connection to the broader Southern California rail network," said Martin Erickson, Executive Director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission. "By providing more travel options during busy weekday travel periods, we're making it easier for residents and workers to move throughout the region."
Santa Barbara County leaders also highlighted how the expanded service demonstrates investment in regional transportation and delivers on the voter-approved Measure A, a half-cent sales tax for transportation in Santa Barbara County.
"More rail service means more flexibility for how people move through our region," said Marjie KIRN, SBCAG Executive Director. "With Measure A support, we're delivering on what voters asked for-more options for commuting, school, and everyday travel."
SBCAG is hosting an employers forum event on April 22, 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Goleta and informing local employers how to promote jobs and commuting options in the area.
The Pacific Surfliner service operates along a 351-mile coastal corridor connecting San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County. The service offers amenities including comfortable seating, power outlets, and scenic coastal views. Perhaps the most appreciated amenity, free onboard Wi-Fi, gives riders the opportunity to work or study while en route to the office or class, maximizing travel time.
With the new roundtrip, travelers will benefit from expanded schedule options for a variety of trips, including weekday commuting, business travel, university travel, and leisure trips along California's coast.
Riders can view updated schedules and plan their trips at www.pacificsurfliner.com/goSLO
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/04/new-daily-pacific-surfliner-train-connects-los-angeles-and-san-luis-obispo/
EPA seeks public input on proposed cleanup plan for Orlando Gasification Superfund Site
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA seeks public input on proposed cleanup plan for Orlando Gasification Superfund Site
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ORLANDO, Florida (April 6, 2026) - EPA will hold a public comment period April 7 through May 6 to receive input on a proposed plan for the Orlando Gasification Plant Superfund Site. EPA will also hold a public meeting on April 14 to present the proposed cleanup plan, answer questions and receive comments.
This cleanup involves water in the deep aquifer contaminated with benzene and other volatile organic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA seeks public input on proposed cleanup plan for Orlando Gasification Superfund Site
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ORLANDO, Florida (April 6, 2026) - EPA will hold a public comment period April 7 through May 6 to receive input on a proposed plan for the Orlando Gasification Plant Superfund Site. EPA will also hold a public meeting on April 14 to present the proposed cleanup plan, answer questions and receive comments.
This cleanup involves water in the deep aquifer contaminated with benzene and other volatile organiccompounds (VOCs).
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
6 - 8 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Callahan Neighborhood Center
101 N. Parramore Ave. #1713
Orlando, FL 32801
The proposed plan and other site-related documents are available here.
To submit a written comment during the 30-day public comment period from April 7 through May 6, include "Orlando Gasification Plant Proposed Plan" in the title and send via email to Peter Thorpe, EPA Remedial Project Manager, at thorpe.peter@epa.gov. Or send via postal mail to: US EPA Region 4, Attn: Peter Thorpe, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303-3104. All comments must be postmarked by May 6, 2026.
Background:
Orlando Gasification Plant, a manufactured gas facility, operated in Orlando until the early 1960s. After demolition, the site was redeveloped and now includes commercial businesses and a natural gas company. EPA divided the site into two sections, called Operation Units (OU). EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for OU1 in 2013. The soil cleanup was completed in 2018. A groundwater treatment system for OU1 began in 2020 and is ongoing. OU2 addresses contamination in the deep aquifer beneath the site, encompassing portions of the upper Ocala Limestone formation approximately 60 and 310 feet below land surface.
Throughout the cleanup process, EPA has kept the public informed and incorporated public input in proposed cleanup activities.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-seeks-public-input-proposed-cleanup-plan-orlando-gasification-superfund-site
EPA Continues to Unleash Domestic Energy with Revisions to Burdensome, Unworkable Biden-era Oil and Natural Gas Regulations, Saving Americans Billions in Energy Costs
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Continues to Unleash Domestic Energy with Revisions to Burdensome, Unworkable Biden-era Oil and Natural Gas Regulations, Saving Americans Billions in Energy Costs
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Final rule to save $2.5 billion while producing cleanest energy in the world
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin took another step in unleashing domestic energy and revising burdensome, unworkable Biden-era oil and natural gas policies. Today, EPA finalized revisions to certain aspects
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WASHINGTON, April 6 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Continues to Unleash Domestic Energy with Revisions to Burdensome, Unworkable Biden-era Oil and Natural Gas Regulations, Saving Americans Billions in Energy Costs
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Final rule to save $2.5 billion while producing cleanest energy in the world
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin took another step in unleashing domestic energy and revising burdensome, unworkable Biden-era oil and natural gas policies. Today, EPA finalized revisions to certain aspectsof the Biden-Harris Administration's 2024 Clean Air Act rules for oil and natural gas, commonly known as OOOOb/c. These changes will help ensure that American energy owners and operators have the flexibility needed to continue producing the cleanest energy in the world without having to worry about being punished by radical climate ideologies. The agency's final rule, which is part of a series of actions the Trump EPA is taking on Biden-era oil and natural gas regulations, is estimated to save $2.5 billion over 15 years, equivalent to $208 million annually in industry compliance costs. These cost savings will help lower gasoline and energy costs across the board and benefit American families.
"My predecessors weaponized environmental regulations to regulate the oil and gas industry out of existence. We are taking another step to fix those mistakes while proving we can both protect human health and the environment and grow the economy at the same time. Making rules workable for owners and operators advances American energy dominance, lowers cost for American families, and ensures the United States is providing better and cleaner energy," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The final rule responds to several petitions for reconsideration, feedback from industry-including from a 45-day public comment period-and additional data EPA received after the 2024 Final Rule was issued. The 2024 Final Rule phases out routine flaring of associated natural gas from new sources, but allowed owners and operators to perform temporary flaring for up to 24 hours in maintenance situations. However, serious concerns were raised that this limited time frame did not provide enough time for owners and operators to troubleshoot and repair equipment, putting energy reliability for American families and the safety of workers at risk. Under the Trump EPA's revisions, owners and operators will now be able to utilize temporary flaring for up to 72 hours. During exigent circumstances where site access is limited due to extreme inclement weather, temporary personnel shortage, or supply chain issues due to circumstances outside the owner or operator's control, the final rule provides additional time beyond the 72 hours. Owners and operators will be required to keep records and report when such situations occur.
The Biden EPA's final rule also required continuous monitoring of the net heating value (NHV) of vent gas from flares and enclosed combustion devices (ECD). Based on data that has come to light since 2024, today's action adjusts the NHV monitoring and testing provisions so that owners and operators do not need to perform NHV sampling from flares or ECD, except where inert gases or other miscellaneous scenarios are present. The final rule also removes the general exemption from NHV monitoring for associated gas for any control device used at well sites affected facilities. These changes will reduce the number of unnecessary tests by up to 141,000 per year-about 1.9 million over 15 years. The agency does not expect any emissions changes as a result of the final revisions to the NHV compliance demonstration requirements.
The Trump EPA understands we can both protect human health and the environment and grow the economy at the same time. Today's final revisions to unleash American energy build upon the actions taken by the agency in 2025 that already delivered $750 million in savings, to provide additional time for sources to comply with certain provisions in the burdensome OOOOb/c Biden-era regulations. This is a stark contrast to the Biden EPA, which estimated its oil and natural gas regulations would cost over $18 billion and raise natural gas prices for Americans. EPA is currently developing another proposal to further amend the 2024 Final Rule to address additional issues raised by stakeholders that will further drive down the cost of living for all Americans. The agency will continue to provide relief and bring commonsense back to oil and natural gas rulemaking.
Read the 2026 Final Rule to Reduce Burden on the Oil and Natural Gas Industry Exit EPA's website for more information.
Background
Today's revisions apply to the March 8, 2024, Biden regulations for oil and natural gas operations under sections 111(b) and 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
On March 12, 2025, Administrator Zeldin announced a comprehensive reconsideration of OOOOb/c, including the 2024 Final Rule, to unleash energy dominance and continue the Nation's trajectory as a leader in clean energy and emissions reductions.
On November 26, 2025, EPA finalized an interim final rule to extend several compliance deadlines in the 2024 Final Rule to provide more realistic timelines for owners and operators to comply with the 2024 Final Rule.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-continues-unleash-domestic-energy-revisions-burdensome-unworkable-biden-era-oil
Dear America Draws From the National Gallery of Art's Collection to Highlight Artists' Interpretations of the American Experience
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Dear America Draws From the National Gallery of Art's Collection to Highlight Artists' Interpretations of the American Experience
Exhibition presents works by Ansel Adams, Ruth Asawa, Thomas Moran, Gordon Parks, Paul Revere, Carrie Mae Weems, and more as part of America's 250th anniversary commemoration
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As part of its yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the National Gallery of Art presents Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience, an exhibition
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Dear America Draws From the National Gallery of Art's Collection to Highlight Artists' Interpretations of the American Experience
Exhibition presents works by Ansel Adams, Ruth Asawa, Thomas Moran, Gordon Parks, Paul Revere, Carrie Mae Weems, and more as part of America's 250th anniversary commemoration
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As part of its yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the National Gallery of Art presents Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience, an exhibitionexamining how artists have portrayed and interpreted key aspects of American culture over the last 250 years. Comprising approximately 120 works from the late 18th century to the present--including many recent acquisitions and works that have never been on view at the National Gallery before--the exhibition highlights artists' wide-ranging depictions of American experience across time and place and is framed by the themes of land, community, and freedom. Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience will be on view in the West Building from April 11 to September 20, 2026.
Drawn primarily from the National Gallery's leading collection of American art, Dear America brings together works on paper by 95 artists. Among the objects on view are photographs by Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Margaret Bourke-White, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Tom Jones (Ho-Chunk Nation), Sally Mann, Timothy H. O'Sullivan, Gordon Parks, Alfred Stieglitz, James Van Der Zee, Carleton E. Watkins, and Carrie Mae Weems; drawings by Thomas Moran, Tonita Pena, Eunice Pinney, and John Wilson; artists' books by Dindga McCannon and Kara Walker; and prints by Emma Amos, Ruth Asawa, Charles Gaines, Jane Hammond, Roy Lichtenstein, Marisol, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Fritz Scholder, and Juan Sanchez.
"Artists have long helped us see America not just as a place, but as a living idea shaped by many voices," said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art. "Through these remarkable works from the National Gallery's collection, visitors to the nation's art museum can witness the power of art to illuminate our shared past, illustrate the experiences of our lives, and inspire our collective future."
"Showcasing exemplary prints, drawings, and photographs made in the last 250 years, this exhibition is a testament to collaboration across curatorial disciplines as well as the strength of our permanent collection," said E. Carmen Ramos, the National Gallery's chief curatorial and conservation officer. "Dear America reveals the wide range of subjects, approaches, and techniques through which America's artists have sought to interpret their own and others' experiences."
About the Exhibition
Comprising works that span the breadth of US history and geography, from the nation's founding through the present, Dear America seeks to explore how artists have considered the question of what is, has been, and could be the nature of the American experience. The exhibition is organized in three thematic sections: Land, Community, and Freedom, each highlighting artists' expansive interpretations of American culture and iconography.
The first section, Land, explores our collective understanding of America as a place and as a site of wonder and belonging, survival and memory. Works from the 19th century by Thomas Moran, Frances Flora Bond Palmer, William H. Rau, and Carleton E. Watkins capture the variety of natural geographies across the North American continent and the early stages of the expansion of railways and settlements from east to west. Examples by 20th- and 21st-century artists, such as Bernarda Bryson, Leo Limon, Richard Misrach, and Margaret Bourke-White, address the impact of the growing populace, human-built environments, and major cities that comprise America today. This section shows how artists have drawn inspiration from the grandeur of the country's mountain ranges and canyons, as well as from roadside gas stations, hydroelectric dams, and skyscrapers.
The second section, Community, begins with four large multipart works that fill an entire gallery. Dear America (2002), composed of 16 photographs by contemporary artist Tom Jones (Ho-Chunk Nation), was the inspiration for the title of the exhibition. In this suite, Jones combined scans of historical postcards with lyrics from the song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" to incorporate Native American experiences into narratives of American history. Also featured is a set of life-size figure drawings for John Wilson's unrealized mural Young Americans (1973-1975). These drawings depict the artist's teenage children and their friends, who hung out at the Wilson home in the 1970s. Their youthful potential represented a hopeful vision of the future to the artist. Nearby is a group of some 30 portraits from a suite of 101 offset lithographs by Sedrick E. Huckaby that are based on sketches he created while he interviewed people living and working in his community. The largest multipart work in this section is Richard Avedon's The Family (1976), a series of 69 photographs. Made during the Bicentennial, they depict America's power elite--politicians, media moguls, financiers, and activists. These works and others by artists such as Charles Milton Bell, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Michael Jang, Cesar A. Martinez, and Cara Romero highlight artists' portrayals of the many types of communities that have shaped the American experience, from politicians and prominent public servants, to friends and family members, neighborhoods, and religious and cultural gatherings.
The exhibition concludes with the section Freedom, weaving histories of revolution and liberation with deeply personal snapshots of American life. The works included here serve as both witnesses to the moments they portray and catalysts to connect us to our own sense of freedom. This section explores artists' considerations of the freedoms envisioned by the founders of the United States as well as by later generations who have continually sought to protect fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and promote greater freedom for all people. Featured are scenes from the American Revolution and Civil War, including Paul Revere's famous print depicting the Boston Massacre of 1770, an event that was prompted by escalating tensions between the American colonists and Great Britain. Also on view are historical portraits of figures like Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and George Washington, all of whom advocated for freedom, while portraits of soldiers by artists such as Maya Freelon and James Van Der Zee remind us of the cost of defending that freedom. Other photographs by Lewis Wickes Hine and Alfred Stieglitz capture the early 20th-century mass movement of people who were fleeing oppression and seeking new opportunities. And Faith Ringgold's screenprints of events from the civil rights movement that accompany Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" and Robert Indiana's boldly colored screenprint Liberty '76 (1974-1975), made for the occasion of the country's 200th anniversary, document and celebrate the continual pursuit of freedom that is fundamental to our democracy.
Exhibition Organization and Support
The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Leadership support for the exhibition has been generously provided by the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust.
The exhibition is made possible through support from Daniel W. Hamilton and the Edwin L. Cox Exhibition Fund.
Exhibition Curators
The exhibition is curated by Angelica Becerra, Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow; Sarah Greenough, senior curator and head of the department of photographs (retired); Rena Hoisington, curator and head of Old Master prints; and Shelley Langdale, curator and head of modern prints and drawings, all at the National Gallery of Art.
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About the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through its doors each year--with even more online--making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. The National Gallery's renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/dear-america-draws-national-gallery-arts-collection-highlight-artists-interpretations-american
NTSB Member Michael Graham Named Vice Chairman
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
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NTSB Member Michael Graham Named Vice Chairman
Michael Graham, the 45th member of the National Transportation Safety Board, was designated by President Trump to serve as NTSB vice chairman for a three-year term.
Graham, who was also appointed as board member by President Trump, took the oath of office on Jan. 3, 2020. Before joining the Board, he served as director of flight operations safety, security and standardization at Textron Aviation, where he oversaw the company's safety management
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
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NTSB Member Michael Graham Named Vice Chairman
Michael Graham, the 45th member of the National Transportation Safety Board, was designated by President Trump to serve as NTSB vice chairman for a three-year term.
Graham, who was also appointed as board member by President Trump, took the oath of office on Jan. 3, 2020. Before joining the Board, he served as director of flight operations safety, security and standardization at Textron Aviation, where he oversaw the company's safety managementsystem, emergency response planning, air safety investigations and airport operations.
"I want to thank the President for this designation, as well as my fellow Board Members and NTSB staff who have supported me throughout my time at the Board," said Vice Chairman Graham. "I look forward to continuing to serve in this new role and fulfilling the NTSB's mission of improving safety across all modes of transportation."
During his tenure on the Board, Graham served as the member on scene for several major accident investigations, including the May 2025 accident involving a Mexican naval vessel striking the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City; the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio; the November 2022 Wings Over Dallas midair collision; and the October 2021 MD-87 runway excursion in Brookshire, Texas. Graham also has been a dedicated advocate for advancing connected vehicle technology and reducing distracted driving on our nation's roads. A pilot by background, he has also played a key role in supporting the NTSB's efforts to implement flight data monitoring recommendations and to promote the broader adoption of safety management systems (SMS) across all modes of transportation.
Prior to his NTSB service, Graham also served as chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation and contributed to safety working groups within the National Business Aviation Association. He received the Flight Safety Foundation's 2019 Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award.
Graham holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and is a certified airline transport pilot with more than 10,000 flight hours.
See Graham's full biography (https://www.ntsb.gov/about/board/Pages/Michael-Graham.aspx) for more information.
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To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7)
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Original text here: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20260403.aspx
FHLBank Chicago Delivers $43 Million in Down Payment Assistance as Affordability Pressures Persist
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 4 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news:
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FHLBank Chicago Delivers $43 Million in Down Payment Assistance as Affordability Pressures Persist
As higher home prices and upfront costs continue to sideline many first-time buyers, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) provided $43 million in down payment assistance in 2025, helping more than 4,500 households across Illinois and Wisconsin purchase homes through its Downpayment Plus(R) (DPP(R)) programs.
The grant funding,
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 4 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news:
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FHLBank Chicago Delivers $43 Million in Down Payment Assistance as Affordability Pressures Persist
As higher home prices and upfront costs continue to sideline many first-time buyers, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) provided $43 million in down payment assistance in 2025, helping more than 4,500 households across Illinois and Wisconsin purchase homes through its Downpayment Plus(R) (DPP(R)) programs.
The grant funding,delivered through FHLBank Chicago member institutions, helped income-eligible homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs--often cited as one of the biggest barriers to homeownership, particularly for first-time and moderate-income households.
"Demand for down payment assistance continues to grow as affordability tightens," said Katie Naftzger, SVP and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago. "By partnering with our members, we are helping households who are ready to buy to bridge that gap."
Through DPP and Downpayment Plus Advantage(R) (DPP Advantage(R)), eligible households can receive up to $10,000 in forgivable grant assistance, applied at closing. The DPP Advantage program extends the funding to homebuyers participating in nonprofit-led mortgage programs, with nonprofits partnering with an FHLBank Chicago member to secure funding.
Local Impact Across Illinois and Wisconsin
Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank, based in Brookfield, Wis., helped over 160 households purchase homes in 2025 disbursing nearly $1.1 million in DPP grants, with 95 percent of recipients purchasing their first home. Since joining the program in 2015, Ixonia Bank has delivered more than $2.8 million in down payment assistance to over 400 households.
"Programs like DPP help bridge the gap for homebuyers who are financially prepared to purchase a home but need help covering upfront costs," said Eric Egenhoefer, President and CEO at Novus Home Mortgage. "Through our partnership with FHLBank Chicago, this support makes the difference between postponing a purchase and becoming a homeowner."
Citizens Equity First Credit Union (CEFCU), based in Peoria, Ill., disbursed $1 million in DPP grants in 2025, assisting more than 100 households, many of them first-time homebuyers. CEFCU has participated in the program since 2000 and has delivered more than $7.3 million in down payment assistance to more than 1,100 households.
"At CEFCU, helping members achieve homeownership is central to our mission," said Stacy Leavitt, Vice President of Mortgage Lending at CEFCU. "DPP allows us to provide meaningful support to first-time buyers and families working to build long-term financial stability."
Long-Term Program Reach
Since launching the DPP programs in 1994 through year-end 2025, FHLBank Chicago has allocated more than $330 million, to support more than 51,000 households across its district. A significant share of recipients have been first-time homebuyers.
With $31 million available in 2026, FHLBank Chicago encourages its member institutions and nonprofit partners to leverage the DPP programs to support eligible homebuyers in their communities.
To learn more about the DPP programs, visit fhlbc.com/DPP.
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About Novus Home Mortgage
Established in 2019 Novus Home Mortgage is a division of Ixonia Bank. Headquartered in the Greater Milwaukee area and originating in all 50 states, Novus is committed to creating a simpler, more efficient, and more transparent mortgage process. It leverages the industry's most innovative technology to provide 24/7 transparency, streamline the entire process, and minimize effort for all parties. Novus delivers exceptional customer service, along with an extensive offering of loan products ranging from FHA, VA, and conventional loans to niche products. For more information, visit www.novushomemortgage.com. NMLS # 423065. Equal Housing Lender.
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About Citizens Equity First Credit Union
With assets totaling more than $8.4 billion, CEFCU serves over 420,000 members through 26 Member Centers in Illinois, 7 California Member Centers, the CEFCU Financial Center, the CEFCU ATM Network, CEFCU's website -- cefcu.com, the surcharge-free Co-op ATM Network, and the CU Service Center Shared Branch Network.
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Original text here: https://www.fhlbc.com/news/news-detail/2026/04/02/fhlbank-chicago-delivers--43-million-in-down-payment-assistance-as-affordability-pressures-persist
EPA Finalizes Groundwater Cleanup Plan for Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund Site
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Finalizes Groundwater Cleanup Plan for Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund Site
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Rockaway Township, N.J. \- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a cleanup plan to address groundwater contamination at the Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund site in Rockaway Township, confirming that contamination that remains from historic rocket-engine testing is deep in fractured bedrock and is not reaching nearby homes or drinking water. The plan, informed by years of study and public
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WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Finalizes Groundwater Cleanup Plan for Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund Site
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Rockaway Township, N.J. \- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a cleanup plan to address groundwater contamination at the Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund site in Rockaway Township, confirming that contamination that remains from historic rocket-engine testing is deep in fractured bedrock and is not reaching nearby homes or drinking water. The plan, informed by years of study and publicinput, relies on long-term monitoring to track continued improvement and ensure the site remains protective.
"EPA is putting a final cleanup plan in place for Radiation Technology that reflects the best science, takes into consideration community input and protects Rockaway Township," said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. "The contamination is trapped deep underground, it isn't reaching drinking water, and the groundwater is continuing to improve. We will keep monitoring the site to make sure it stays that way."
EPA's groundwater plan builds on decades of cleanup work completed across the site from 1994 through 2021. During that time, EPA removed contaminated soil and buried waste, demolished unsafe buildings, and cleared hazardous materials such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and lead-based paint. These actions addressed the areas of highest concern and eliminated potential exposure pathways. With those risks resolved, groundwater is the final remaining area of focus.
The finalized plan amends the original 1994 groundwater remedy, which called for pumping and treating contaminated water. Additional studies showed that the approach would not be effective in the site's fractured bedrock. EPA's updated cleanup identifies three small areas where contaminants are embedded deep in fractured rock and cannot be adequately addressed by treatment systems. In those areas, EPA is formally recognizing that engineered treatment is not possible.
Across the entire site, EPA will continue long-term groundwater monitoring to confirm that conditions continue to improve and that the cleanup remains protective.
EPA accepted public comments on the proposed cleanup plan during a 45-day comment period from December 22, 2025, through February 5, 2026, and held a virtual public meeting on January 14, 2026, to present the proposal and answer questions from the community.
EPA's formal response to public comments, additional background and site documents will be available on the Radiation Technologies Inc. Superfund Site profile page.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website, and visit our Facebook Exit EPA's website page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-groundwater-cleanup-plan-radiation-technology-inc-superfund-site
EPA redesignates Detroit area to "attainment" for sulfur dioxide; area now meets national air quality standards
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA redesignates Detroit area to "attainment" for sulfur dioxide; area now meets national air quality standards
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Cleaner air for Detroit as sulfur dioxide levels drop more than 57% over 15 years
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the redesignation of the Detroit area to "attainment" for sulfur dioxide emissions after air monitoring shows the region meets the national health-based standard.
"Reducing sulfur dioxide emissions protects Michigander families, and redesignating
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA redesignates Detroit area to "attainment" for sulfur dioxide; area now meets national air quality standards
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Cleaner air for Detroit as sulfur dioxide levels drop more than 57% over 15 years
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the redesignation of the Detroit area to "attainment" for sulfur dioxide emissions after air monitoring shows the region meets the national health-based standard.
"Reducing sulfur dioxide emissions protects Michigander families, and redesignatingthe area supports economic development," said EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel. "Paving the way for a healthy and thriving Detroit would not have been possible without EPA's strong partnership with state and industry leaders."
In 2013, EPA designated the Detroit area as "nonattainment" for the sulfur dioxide standard because readings were above the health-based limit. Since then, Michigan EGLE has worked with sources in the area to reduce levels in the air. Significant emission controls at facilities including U.S. Steel, EES Coke Battery, and Dearborn Industrial Generation resulted in a reduction of more than 57% of airborne sulfur dioxide. As a result, the area now meets EPA's clean air standards.
With this redesignation, air permitting will be faster and more predictable while strong health protections will remain in place. Existing emission controls and monitoring will continue to ensure air quality remains healthy. If monitored levels approach or exceed the health-based standard, Michigan must act quickly to address the situation.
To learn more about sulfur dioxide and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, visit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-redesignates-detroit-area-attainment-sulfur-dioxide-area-now-meets-national-air
