Featured Stories
Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance Announces Election of Two New Independent Directors
WASHINGTON, July 2 -- The Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance issued the following news release on July 1, 2026:
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Office of Finance Announces Election of Two New Independent Directors
The Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) Office of Finance announced today that Teresa M. Ressel and Andrew McCormick have been elected to serve as Independent Directors on its Board of Directors (Board).
"Teresa and Andy bring their decades of experience and expertise to the Office of Finance Board of Directors. Teresa, through her financial and operational management experience in both the public
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WASHINGTON, July 2 -- The Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance issued the following news release on July 1, 2026:
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Office of Finance Announces Election of Two New Independent Directors
The Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) Office of Finance announced today that Teresa M. Ressel and Andrew McCormick have been elected to serve as Independent Directors on its Board of Directors (Board).
"Teresa and Andy bring their decades of experience and expertise to the Office of Finance Board of Directors. Teresa, through her financial and operational management experience in both the publicand private sectors and her capital markets knowledge, and Andy, with his deep understanding of the fixed income markets and housing finance, will provide valuable perspectives to the Board," said Joel W. Motley, Chair of the Board.
Teresa M. Ressel has served as Managing Partner of Radiate Capital since 2024. She served on the boards of Invesco Mutual Funds from 2017 to June 2026. Ms. Ressel was on the senior management team of Olayan America from 2012 to 2016. From 2004 to 2012, she held senior roles at UBS, including as Chief Operating Officer, the Americas, for UBS Investment Bank and then as Chief Executive Officer of UBS Securities LLC. Ms. Ressel served at the U.S. Treasury from 2001 to 2004, initially as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget and then, following confirmation by the U.S. Senate, as Assistant Secretary for Management and designated Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Ressel serves on the boards of a number of private equity companies as an observer or board member, and served on the boards of several non-profit organizations over the years. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Ms. Ressel holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in engineering from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ms. Ressel joins the Board on July 1, 2026 for a term expiring on July 20, 2028.
Andrew McCormick served in senior roles with increasing responsibility at T. Rowe Price, Inc. from 2008 to 2024, including as Head of its Global Fixed Income Division, Chief Investment Officer for fixed income, Chair of its Fixed Income Steering Committee, and a member of its Management Committee. Prior to joining T. Rowe Price, Mr. McCormick spent more than two decades as an investment professional focused on trading and portfolio management of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities, and other fixed income instruments, including positions with Impac Mortgage Holdings, Avenue Capital, Fannie Mae, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Prudential Bache. Mr. McCormick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Syracuse University. Mr. McCormick will join the Board on July 20, 2026 for a five-year term.
The FHLBanks have delivered innovation and service to the U.S. housing market since 1932, and currently have approximately 6,300 members serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Please contact Tom Heinle at (703) 467-3646 or theinle@fhlb-of.com for additional information.
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Original text here: https://fhlb-of.com/ofweb_userWeb/resources/PR2026-0701-PressRelease1.pdf
Raveena Khan Wins Honourable Mention Ph.D. Prize From the International Astronomical Union
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 1 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
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Raveena Khan wins honourable mention Ph.D. prize from the International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union has awarded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's visiting scientist, Raveena Khan, the 2025 IAU Division E (Sun and Heliosphere) Ph.D. Prize Honourable Mention.
Khan was awarded the prize for her doctoral thesis, Diagnostic Techniques and Instrument Concepts for Probing Transition Region and Coronal Magnetic Fields in India.
The IAU
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CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 1 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
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Raveena Khan wins honourable mention Ph.D. prize from the International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union has awarded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's visiting scientist, Raveena Khan, the 2025 IAU Division E (Sun and Heliosphere) Ph.D. Prize Honourable Mention.
Khan was awarded the prize for her doctoral thesis, Diagnostic Techniques and Instrument Concepts for Probing Transition Region and Coronal Magnetic Fields in India.
The IAUannual awards recognise outstanding scientific contributions and exceptional doctoral thesis research carried out by early-career astronomers across the globe.
Each of the nine IAU Divisions selects a winner and honourable mentions from among candidates whose theses represent the most remarkable and impactful work within their respective fields over the past year. Additionally, a Ph.D. Prize-at-Large may be jointly awarded by all Divisions to a candidate who performed their doctoral research under exceptionally challenging circumstances.
This year, the Divisions have awarded nine Ph.D. Prizes, one Ph.D. Prize at Large and 12 Honourable Mentions. In recognition of their achievements, the awardees will be invited to present their work during the Division Days at the IAU XXXIII General Assembly, which will be held August 10 - 19 2027 in Rome, Italy.
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Original text here: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/news/raveena-khan-wins-honourable-mention-phd-prize-international-astronomical-union
National Museum of Asian Art Renews Partnership With National Institute of Japanese Literature, Expands Digital Access to Rare Books
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Museum of Asian Art Renews Partnership With National Institute of Japanese Literature, Expands Digital Access to Rare Books
Now Also in Japanese, New Online Resource Advances International Collaboration in Access and Research
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The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Japanese Literature (NIJL), part of the National Institutes for the Humanities, marking the continuation of a partnership dedicated to advancing
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WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Museum of Asian Art Renews Partnership With National Institute of Japanese Literature, Expands Digital Access to Rare Books
Now Also in Japanese, New Online Resource Advances International Collaboration in Access and Research
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The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Japanese Literature (NIJL), part of the National Institutes for the Humanities, marking the continuation of a partnership dedicated to advancingresearch, accessibility and understanding of Japan's literary heritage. Signed this spring, the renewal is paired with the launch of a new digital resource developed in partnership with the museum: the Japanese language version of an online, searchable catalog of rare Japanese texts from the museum's Pulverer Collection.
The new resource will enable comparative study on the expansive Pulverer Collection, especially with Japanese experts in literature and art history. Before this resource, the collection--while fully digitized and comprehensive--was only available in English, limiting its accessibility to scholars, researchers and students. To help NIJL build this version in Japanese, the museum supplied images and metadata for integration into NIJL's database, one of the most authoritative international resources on Japanese literature.
The renewed agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between the museum and NIJL, which began when the two institutions signed their first MOU in 2020.
"This achievement represents two major facets of our museum's mission: to broaden access to cultural heritage internationally through digitization, and to foster dialogue between disciplines that transcend borders," said Chase F. Robinson, director of the National Museum of Asian Art. "We are driven by opportunities of knowledge-sharing such as this one, and we look forward to more collaborative projects in the second chapter of our partnership with the National Institute of Japanese Literature."
The Pulverer Collection comprises numerous rare and pristine Japanese illustrated books produced in Japan's Edo period (1615-1868) and beyond, collected over a span of 30 years by Dr. Gerhard Pulverer, a renowned medical researcher in Germany, and his wife, Rosemarie. In 2007, the museum acquired the entirety of the collection, more than 900 titles encompassing almost 2,200 volumes from the early 17th century to the 1970s.
"The Pulverer Collection is regarded as one of the most outstanding and comprehensive collections of Japanese illustrated books outside Japan," said Frank Feltens, curator of Japanese art and associate director for curatorial affairs at the National Museum of Asian Art. "Now, by making this resource digitally accessible to Japanese speakers, we can connect Japanese researchers, students and other audiences directly with detailed primary sources, helping open new forms of inquiry and paths of curiosity."
The renewed partnership is part of the museum's broader "Japan in Focus" strategy in global affairs, to lead in the study, preservation and presentation of Japanese art and culture in close collaboration with Japanese experts and colleagues. It also advances the museum's strategic plan to increase digital experiences and resources by working with global partners. In this second chapter of the partnership, the NIJL will, in turn, offer their experience in digitization and databases to advance the reach of the museum's collections.
"Through this partnership with the National Museum of Asian Art, we show that institutions can share more than objects and collections," said Kazuaki Yamamoto, director of the Core Data Center at the National Institute of Japanese Literature. "When we share expertise and infrastructure, we can build resources and projects that break down siloes and language barriers, connect cultures and open the way for new research opportunities across the globe."
The new Japanese-language resource is available through the NIJL's online platforms. The expansion and strengthening of global relationships is an integral part of the museum's effort to honor the United States' 250th anniversary on-site, online and on the road.
Credit
Support for the museum's Japanese art program is provided by Mitsubishi Corporation.
About the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art opened in 1923 as America's first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. It now stewards one of the world's most important collections of Asian art, with works dating from antiquity to the present. The museum also hosts an important collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art.
Through an ambitious program of collection, conservation, exhibitions, programming and research, the museum serves as a global and national resource for understanding the arts and cultures of Asia and their interaction with America, past and present. By presenting the arts and cultures of Asia in their extraordinary diversity, the museum aims to exemplify foundational ideals of curiosity, creativity and respect. In a world growing ever more interdependent, the museum values cross-cultural understanding as a crucial element of personal and collective well-being.
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum is free and open 364 days a year (closed Dec. 25). The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education and research complex and welcomes millions of visitors yearly. For more information about the National Museum of Asian Art, visit asia.si.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-asian-art-renews-partnership-national-institute-japanese
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
WASHINGTON, July 1 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the interagency National Integrated
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WASHINGTON, July 1 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the interagency National IntegratedDrought Information System, other relevant federal agencies, and partners in the drought research and policy community to develop a new framework that distinguishes between short-term operational needs, such as drought monitoring and emergency response, and long-term planning for water management, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
Climate-driven factors are reshaping drought in the United States, and the changing nature of drought threatens national resilience, the report says. Aridification in some regions and rapid onset droughts across much of the country are becoming more significant challenges. The U.S. is experiencing its first multidecadal "megadrought" in the Southwest. While contemporary drought assessment models have been effective in the past, they are insufficient to meet current realities.
"Many of the drought tools we rely on today were built around the assumption that climate conditions and dynamics remain relatively stable over time. That assumption no longer holds, and drought assessment must evolve accordingly," said Jonathan Overpeck, Samuel A. Graham Dean for the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "We hope our report will spark a new era of drought assessment innovation and resilience."
Researchers, farmers, infrastructure planners, emergency managers, and communities all depend on accurate drought assessments to make decisions about future risks and investments. Drought assessments designed to support immediate decisions, such as water restrictions, emergency management, and drought relief programs, require different information than assessments used for long-term planning, the report says.
To improve forecasting, the report recommends a two-pronged approach to allow decision-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders to address the immediate conditions while continuing to build future resilience. That approach should incorporate nonstationarity -- the statistical reality that the frequency, intensification rate, severity, and duration of droughts are no longer stable -- into drought assessment.
Understanding Drought Drivers
Given the difficulty in predicting drought, federal agencies and others involved in drought assessment should prioritize scientific research into drought drivers, dynamics, and aridification, the report says. Enhanced early warning capability and predictive understanding will also be important as flash droughts become more common.
Successful participation of all the partners essential to effective decision-making will be key to improved drought assessment, as will a high level of transparency in terms of how all elements of drought assessment are implemented. NOAA should consider forming a consortium that includes the research community, regulators, operational agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to share information and facilitate the development of common guidelines.
Data for Drought and Impact Assessment
The report recommends that federal agencies protect and strengthen the nation's drought monitoring infrastructure, including stream gauges, soil moisture networks, snowpack measurements, weather stations, and Earth-observing satellites. Long-term records from these systems are essential for understanding how drought is changing and for helping communities prepare for future conditions.
The committee also recommended updating the way drought is measured. Because climate change is altering what is considered "normal," agencies should evaluate drought conditions using multiple climate baselines rather than relying on a single historical reference period. The report also calls for greater transparency about how drought assessments are developed and how uncertainty is communicated.
A more consistent system for collecting and tracking drought impacts nationwide is also needed, the report says. Better information on impacts to agriculture, water supplies, ecosystems, public health, and local communities would improve drought assessment and help decision-makers target adaptation and response efforts. To support both adaptation and response, NIDIS should facilitate efforts to systematically collect, standardize, and integrate drought-impact information across sectors and regions, while developing best practices for incorporating those data into drought assessments, planning processes, and policy decisions.
Artificial Intelligence in Drought Assessment
Artificial intelligence and machine learning is likely to enable great strides in the improvement and utility of drought assessment, according to the report. Special care in the adoption of these technologies is advised, so as to prioritize transparency, reproducibility, and the avoidance of bias. The report also notes that good governance and ethical and sustainable use of AI will be important to ensure an overall benefit to society.
The study was undertaken by the Committee on the Future of Drought in the United States and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Interstate Council on Water Policy, the National Academy of Sciences Arthur L. Day Fund, and the National Academy of Sciences Maurice Ewing and Planetary Sciences Fund.
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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.
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View report here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DELS-WSTB-24-02/publication/29217
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Original text here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/u-s-needs-new-drought-assessment-framework-as-droughts-become-more-severe-and-unpredictable
EPA Launches $30 Million Challenge to Help American Farmers Grow Healthy Food with Fewer Chemicals
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Launches $30 Million Challenge to Help American Farmers Grow Healthy Food with Fewer Chemicals
A win for American families and farmers: EPA seeks public input on a national innovation challenge to find safer, science-based alternatives to chemical crop desiccation
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Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an opportunity for the public to help shape a national innovation challenge with up to $30 million in total prize funding. The challenge will support practical, cost-effective
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WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Launches $30 Million Challenge to Help American Farmers Grow Healthy Food with Fewer Chemicals
A win for American families and farmers: EPA seeks public input on a national innovation challenge to find safer, science-based alternatives to chemical crop desiccation
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Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an opportunity for the public to help shape a national innovation challenge with up to $30 million in total prize funding. The challenge will support practical, cost-effectivealternatives to conventional chemical crop desiccation, the common practice of spraying pesticides to dry out crops in the final days before harvest. Grounded in gold standard science, this effort will help American farmers bring in their harvest with fewer conventional chemicals while protecting human health and the environment.
This is a win on both ends of the dinner table. Families get food grown with fewer conventional pesticides. Farmers get new, science-based tools that lower costs, protect their workers, and keep American agriculture strong and competitive in a changing global market.
"American farmers feed our families, and they deserve the best tools to do that job safely," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "This challenge backs our farmers, protects the health of American families, and helps modernize our farms. By listening to growers, researchers, and communities, we can cut exposure risks and make America's food supply stronger and more resilient."
American farmers are critical partners in the success of the Make America Healthy Again agenda. This initiative directly supports the Trump Administration's broader effort to protect human health and modernize U.S. agriculture by promoting resilient, efficient, and sustainable farming systems. Acting under its legal authority to regulate pesticides and protect human health and the environment, EPA is putting real funding behind real-world solutions that bring better science to America's farms.
Desiccants are pesticides that farmers spray to dry out plants quickly. They are usually applied in the final weeks before harvest to help a crop ripen evenly and to make harvesting faster and easier. Common crops often include small grains, pulses (beans and peas), oilseeds, potatoes, and cotton. These tools serve a purpose on modern farms, but because they are applied close to harvest, they can leave residue on food and may carry health risks for the workers who apply them. That is exactly why advancing safer, effective alternatives matters. It protects both the people who grow our food and the families who eat it.
Many of the solutions EPA hopes to encourage go hand in hand with regenerative agriculture-farming that works with nature to build healthier soil, cleaner water, and stronger crops. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices like smarter crop timing, natural drying methods, and precision technology can do the same job as chemical sprays with far less of them and at less cost to farmers. Less pesticide use means healthier land, healthier farm workers, and healthier families.
The Request for Information (RFI) released today will shape the design of the challenge-including its scope, who can take part, how entries will be judged, and how new ideas will be tested in the field. EPA is particularly interested in cost-effective solutions that maintain or improve harvest readiness, crop quality, and operational efficiency across a range of crop systems, including small grains, pulses, oilseeds, potatoes, and cotton.
Possible alternatives include:
* Improved agronomic practices and crop scheduling
* Mechanical or physical drying methods
* Biological or lower-risk inputs
* Precision agriculture technologies
* Post-harvest conditioning innovations
EPA is seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders, including growers, producer organizations, equipment manufacturers, researchers, public health experts, environmental organizations, Tribes and territories, state and local agencies, and any interested member of the public.
The agency is also requesting feedback on barriers to adoption, research gaps, equipment needs, supply chain considerations, and the performance standards necessary for viable alternatives. In addition, EPA welcomes recommendations on challenge design, including prize structure, phased development approaches, and eligible uses of prize funding.
EPA encourages concise responses that include contact information, organizational background, and relevant experience. Instructions for submission and additional details can be found under docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2026-3862 at www.regulations.gov Exit EPA's website once it is posted. Read the pre-publication RFI (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/innovation-challenge_alternatives-to-conventional-pesticides-for-crop-desiccation.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-launches-30-million-challenge-help-american-farmers-grow-healthy-food-fewer
EPA Implements New "Freedom to Fix" Presidential Memorandum; Gives SEMA Greenlight to Certify Aftermarket Products
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Implements New "Freedom to Fix" Presidential Memorandum; Gives SEMA Greenlight to Certify Aftermarket Products
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WASHINGTON - President Trump's new memorandum, "Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix," directs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to reduce reliance on the California Air Resource Board (CARB) emission certification process for aftermarket vehicle products and ensure every American has the freedom to fix their vehicle. Today,
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WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Implements New "Freedom to Fix" Presidential Memorandum; Gives SEMA Greenlight to Certify Aftermarket Products
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WASHINGTON - President Trump's new memorandum, "Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix," directs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to reduce reliance on the California Air Resource Board (CARB) emission certification process for aftermarket vehicle products and ensure every American has the freedom to fix their vehicle. Today,EPA took action by recognizing the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as an alternative certification authority for aftermarket vehicle parts. Moving forward, Americans will be able to use SEMA's Certified Emissions (SC-E) Program to show compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and verify that approved aftermarket parts do not negatively impact vehicle emissions.
The aftermarket industry is valued at over $500 billion, and EPA's action will significantly lower barriers for small businesses looking to enter the market, reduce Chinese knockoffs in the U.S. and expand Americans' ability to fix their equipment by increasing access to authorized repair parts.
"Americans should not be forced to solely rely on California to certify aftermarket products. Starting today, Americans can trust that products certified by SEMA meet federal requirements and can be used to repair vehicles," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "President Trump's commitment to reviving the American auto industry has been unwavering and has already yielded hundreds of billions in new investments, supported American jobs and expanded consumer choice. With the aftermarket sector being a key piece of the industry, EPA is proud to deliver on the president's agenda, for the small businesses producing aftermarket parts, and on behalf of the Americans who purchase those parts."
"Today, the EPA has verified what SEMA for years has told regulators at the state and federal levels: that the automotive aftermarket industry has a precise mechanism to support emissions testing compliance with federal laws, and it's called SEMA Certified-Emissions," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "This EPA recognition of the SEMA Certified-Emissions program by the EPA is nothing short of a pioneering action by the federal government to utilize private-public partnerships in service to industry regulatory compliance efforts. We're beyond pleased to continue to provide this service to aftermarket businesses so they can bring their innovative products to the market, and with a renewed certainty that our nation's clean-air laws are being followed."
Under the CAA, aftermarket parts cannot bypass, tamper with or remove vehicle emissions controls. To demonstrate compliance, aftermarket manufacturers must show that vehicles equipped with their products can still pass the same emissions tests used during the vehicle's original certification process. Before today, CARB had the only EPA recognized certification process for this purpose. However, unsurprisingly, the CARB process is faulty and backlogged, and its certification takes 12-18 months to complete. These delays have left small businesses, the majority of aftermarket suppliers, sidelined while Chinese counterfeits flooded the market.
In April 2026, SEMA requested EPA evaluate whether SEMA's SC-E Program met the CAA and EPA's Tampering Policy requirements. After reviewing materials submitted by SEMA, EPA has determined that emissions testing performed through SEMA's SC-E program satisfies federal requirements and can be relied upon by American businesses and consumers. With over 6,000 members, and testing facilities in both Michigan and California, SEMA is well positioned to help American small businesses remain competitive and successful in the aftermarket sector. EPA welcomes similar requests from other qualified programs.
Read EPA's letter to SEMA.
Background
Since day one, the Trump EPA has worked diligently to implement the President's agenda to lower costs across the nation by fixing the regulatory mess inherited from the Biden EPA and has already delivered cost savings for American families that add up now into the trillions. Today's announcement builds on the major vehicle and equipment wins delivered under Administrator Zeldin's leadership which include the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, saving Americans over $2,400 per new vehicle and eliminating incentives for manufacturers to include the start-stop button in vehicles. The Trump EPA has also made great strides in addressing Diesel Exhaust Fluid issues harming American truckers and farmers and advancing Americans' ability to fix their nonroad diesel equipment. The agency has taken multiple actions to protect consumer choice and end electric vehicle mandates, including the transmittal to Congress of three Biden EPA waivers for California that were then terminated via Congressional Review Act bills passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-implements-new-freedom-fix-presidential-memorandum-gives-sema-greenlight-certify
EPA Delivers on President's "Freedom to Fix" Memorandum for Vehicles and Equipment
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Delivers on President's "Freedom to Fix" Memorandum for Vehicles and Equipment
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WASHINGTON - Today, pursuant to President Trump's directive in the Presidential Memorandum, " Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing the freedom to fix for all Americans, regardless of vehicle or equipment type. EPA's guidance affirms that, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), manufacturers must provide Americans access to the same service
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Delivers on President's "Freedom to Fix" Memorandum for Vehicles and Equipment
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WASHINGTON - Today, pursuant to President Trump's directive in the Presidential Memorandum, " Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing the freedom to fix for all Americans, regardless of vehicle or equipment type. EPA's guidance affirms that, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), manufacturers must provide Americans access to the same serviceand repair information they make available to their own branded service centers. This includes Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and other environmental control systems for on highway vehicles.
This action builds on EPA's February 2026 guidance advancing operators' ability to fix their nonroad diesel equipment and the agency's actions to address nationwide concerns for American drivers, truckers, farmers, and equipment operators regarding DEF. In total, all of EPA's actions are saving operators invaluable time, productivity, and money.
"Within 30 days of issuing his Presidential Memorandum, President Trump wanted EPA to act. We have operated at Trump speed and provided relief to American operators within just two days," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "The freedom to fix allows operators to fix broken machinery easier and faster. Today's action builds on the great work the Trump Administration has accomplished to lower costs for hard-working Americans."
For years, manufacturers have worked to provide consumers and independent repair shops with the same diagnostic and repair information they provide to franchised dealers. However, the CAA anti-tampering laws have caused some confusion regarding whether giving out certain tools and information would be considered enabling the tampering of emission control systems. This has forced Americans to travel long distances, hurting productivity, to get costly repairs done by manufacturers, when the repair easily could have been done at home or at a local repair shop. The CAA clearly states that temporary overrides of emission control systems are allowed when it is for the "purpose of repair" to that equipment to obtain proper functionality. EPA's guidance, therefore, clarifies that light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers have a long-standing legal obligation to release the service information, training information, and tools necessary to diagnose and repair vehicles, including faulty DEF systems, on reasonable terms.
The agency is also reinforcing important consumer protections in the CAA, making clear that manufacturers cannot require the use of their own branded parts and that Americans can use generic, equivalent parts when fixing emissions control systems, including DEF systems. However, if a consumer chooses to use a noncertified part, the CAA does not guarantee warranty relief. Today's actions do not change the law, weaken emission standards, or reduce compliance obligations. T he obligations laid out in EPA's guidance do not extend to those proprietary elements of manufacturers' designs, software codes, or any other intellectual proprietary or confidential business information that is currently protected from disclosure in accordance with the CAA.
More information can be found at EPA's website, https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/freedom-fix.
Background
Earlier today, EPA recognized the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as an alternative certification authority for aftermarket vehicle parts. Moving forward, Americans will be able to use SEMA's Certified Emissions (SC-E) Program to show compliance with the CAA and verify that approved aftermarket parts do not negatively impact vehicle emissions. This action fulfills another key aspect of President Trump's directive.
Since day one, the Trump EPA has worked diligently to implement the President's agenda to lower costs across the nation by fixing the regulatory mess inherited from the Biden EPA and has already delivered cost savings for American families that add up now into the trillions. Today's announcement builds on the major vehicle and equipment wins delivered under Administrator Zeldin's leadership, which include the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, saving Americans over $2,400 per new vehicle and eliminating incentives for manufacturers to include the start-stop button in vehicles. The Trump EPA has also made great strides in addressing Diesel Exhaust Fluid issues harming American truckers and farmers. The agency has taken multiple actions to protect consumer choice and end electric vehicle mandates, including the transmittal to Congress of three Biden EPA waivers for California that were then terminated via Congressional Review Act bills passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-delivers-presidents-freedom-fix-memorandum-vehicles-and-equipment
