Federal - Executive Branch
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.
Featured Stories
NASA Administrator Bridenstine Issues Statement on Space Policy Directive-3
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine issued the following statement on Space Policy Directive-3:
"NASA strongly supports the White House's continued bold direction in forging a sustainable and focused space policy that strengthens American leadership. It was my honor today to represent the agency at the National Space Council, where the President announced Space Policy Directive-3 - which will guide critical and much-needed progress for space traffic management.
"SPD-3 builds on our continued progress implementing SPD-1, which is galvanizing American space leadership by
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine issued the following statement on Space Policy Directive-3:
"NASA strongly supports the White House's continued bold direction in forging a sustainable and focused space policy that strengthens American leadership. It was my honor today to represent the agency at the National Space Council, where the President announced Space Policy Directive-3 - which will guide critical and much-needed progress for space traffic management.
"SPD-3 builds on our continued progress implementing SPD-1, which is galvanizing American space leadership byreturning to the Moon with commercial and international partners, and SPD-2, which will create regulatory certainty for entrepreneurs to raise capital to grow the American economy in space.
"As we continue to thrive in space, we also have more people launching to orbit, and an increasingly complex universe of satellites overhead. SPD-3 provides guidelines and initiatives to ensure that America is a leader in providing a safe and secure environment as space traffic increases. Common sense space situational awareness and traffic management will be good for our economy and will help provide a more stable environment for the burgeoning space economy.
"Reducing the growing threat of orbital debris is in the interest of all nations, and NASA looks forward to working with the National Space Council, the Department of Commerce and other partners on a path forward. SPD-3 and the directives that preceded it, along with the President's enthusiasm for our nation's innovative work, are providing a strong foundation for our nation to once again do the big things that will shape a bright future for all of us in space."
* * *
For information about Space Policy Directive-3, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-achieving-safe-secure-future-space/
Utica Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Conspiracy
SYRACUSE, New York, June 18 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Grant C. Jaquith, issued the following news release:
Jeffrey Rivera, age 34, of Utica, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division; and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach, II. The jury trial on the charge to which Rivera pled
... Show Full Article
SYRACUSE, New York, June 18 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Grant C. Jaquith, issued the following news release:
Jeffrey Rivera, age 34, of Utica, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division; and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach, II. The jury trial on the charge to which Rivera pledguilty was scheduled to begin today before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
As part of his guilty plea, Rivera admitted that he agreed with others, including the co-defendants charged in his case, to participate in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine. The defendant also admitted that he obtained quantities of cocaine from co-conspirators within the organization and distributed, or arranged to distribute, cocaine to others.
Chief Judge Suddaby will sentence Rivera on October 25, 2018, at which time the defendant faces up to life in prison, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of up to $10 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least five (5) years and up to life. Rivera's sentence will be imposed by Chief Judge Suddaby based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the New York State Police-Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, the City of Rome Police Department, the City of Utica Police Department, and the Village of Yorkville Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Levine and Katherine King.
Umatilla National Forest Invites Public to Meet the New Supervisor
PENDLETON, Oregon, June 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service unit - Umatilla National Forest - issued the following news release:
Umatilla National Forest Supervisor Eric Watrud will host five "meet and greet" open houses across the forest to provide opportunities for community members to interact with him and share information about their interests and values.
"I believe strong community connections and partnerships are an integral part of the Forest Service mission," said Watrud. "I am excited for the opportunity to get to know the communities surrounding the Umatilla
... Show Full Article
PENDLETON, Oregon, June 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service unit - Umatilla National Forest - issued the following news release:
Umatilla National Forest Supervisor Eric Watrud will host five "meet and greet" open houses across the forest to provide opportunities for community members to interact with him and share information about their interests and values.
"I believe strong community connections and partnerships are an integral part of the Forest Service mission," said Watrud. "I am excited for the opportunity to get to know the communities surrounding the Umatillaand to hear what is important to the people that we serve, so that in the future we can explore ways to work together to manage the public's land."
Local district staff will also be available to talk about forest management, current and ongoing projects, and other interests or concerns.
The open houses are scheduled for the following dates and locations: Click here (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD584015)
Watrud started his role on the Umatilla National Forest on May 14. Prior to coming to the Umatilla National Forest, Watrud served as the deputy forest supervisor on the Fremont-Wineman National Forest. He also recently served in acting forest supervisor roles on the Shoshone National Forest in 2017 and the Fremont-Winema National Forest in 2016. Prior to that, Watrud worked as the regional silviculturist in the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Regional Office for three years and has experience working as a forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources. He has a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management from Oregon State University.
Additional information on Watrud's background can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD578584.
For more information about the Umatilla National Forest please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/.
Nebraska Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Child Pornography
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued the following news release:
A Nebraska man was sentenced to six years in prison today for possessing child pornography in May 2017, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly for the District of Nebraska.
Douglas Goldsberry, 46, of Elkhorn, Nebraska, pleaded guilty on March 19 to one count of possessing child pornography. Goldsberry was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp of the District of Nebraska,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued the following news release:
A Nebraska man was sentenced to six years in prison today for possessing child pornography in May 2017, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly for the District of Nebraska.
Douglas Goldsberry, 46, of Elkhorn, Nebraska, pleaded guilty on March 19 to one count of possessing child pornography. Goldsberry was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp of the District of Nebraska,who ordered him to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence and ordered him to pay $2,500 in restitution. Goldsberry will serve his federal sentence concurrent with a state prison sentence for pandering for which he is currently incarcerated.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, in May 2017, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office arrested Goldsberry after he was suspected of ordering escorts to his neighbors' home without their knowledge. Law enforcement seized Goldsberry's digital devices for evidence of pandering and discovered child pornography images on two of the seized devices. The material included images and videos from 81 known child pornography series, and also included depictions of infants and depictions involving bondage of children.
The FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force is investigating this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Norris of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
IDS: Proactive Care for Airmen
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio, June 18 -- The U.S. Air Force (88th Air Base Wing) issued the following news:
By Elizabeth Clinch and Isabel Velez
Public Affairs
For many Airmen, faith and spiritual guidance is an important part of maintaining mental health and healing. As a member of Integrated Delivery System, or IDS, the Chaplain Corps provides this service.
IDS is a team of helping agencies focused on care of the Airmen and their families.
"We are changing from a parish based ministry to a unit based ministry. We are getting out into the units and serving the Airmen where they work,
... Show Full Article
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio, June 18 -- The U.S. Air Force (88th Air Base Wing) issued the following news:
By Elizabeth Clinch and Isabel Velez
Public Affairs
For many Airmen, faith and spiritual guidance is an important part of maintaining mental health and healing. As a member of Integrated Delivery System, or IDS, the Chaplain Corps provides this service.
IDS is a team of helping agencies focused on care of the Airmen and their families.
"We are changing from a parish based ministry to a unit based ministry. We are getting out into the units and serving the Airmen where they work,and where they are, instead of waiting for them to come to us," explained Capt. Valdon Jensen, 88th Air Base Wing Chaplain and IDS representative.
"Before I became a Chaplain I was an Air Battle Manager, and I saw how helpful it would have been for my Airmen to have a relationship with our unit Chaplain," said Jensen. "Many of them were uncomfortable using Chapel services because they didn't have that relationship before they needed help."
In addition to putting an emphasis on proactive approach, the IDS also allows participating agencies to track and identify trending problems and find ways to counter these problems collaboratively.
"We all have our own lane, but the Chaplain Corps focuses on things that are spiritual, the intangible things." Jensen explained. "Within the IDS, we all refer to one another. For example, I've had Airmen come to me for guidance, and I've walked with them to Mental Health or to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and helped put them in touch with people who can offer the unique services to help them through whatever they are facing"
Many times Airmen find themselves in crisis situations and aren't sure where to turn for support. To combat these crisis situations, IDS aims to put support systems in place beforehand.
"Our goal is to be there, 'left of the bang,'" said Jensen, borrowing a phrase from Col. Ted Wilson, Wing Chaplain of the 88 ABW. "'The bang' is the traumatic event that we all face in life- the death of a loved one, problems at work or in a relationship, etc., and our goal is to develop relationships with Airmen prior to that event so that they are comfortable coming to us for help when that 'bang' happens."
The Chaplain Corps adjusted their parish based ministry to align with the proactive approach the IDS is taking in caring for Airmen and their families. The Chaplain Corp focuses on building relationships with Airmen, hosting many events to reach the Airmen early, and providing guidance and mentorship to those in need.
FERC Issues Letter Involving Texas Eastern Transmission
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following letter (Docket No. CP16-23-000):
To: David A. Alonzo, Specialist I, Rates and Certificates, Texas Eastern Transmission LP, 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, TX 77056
Re: Authorization to Proceed with Construction of Phase II
Dear Mr. Alonzo:
I grant Texas Eastern Transmission, LP's (Texas Eastern) June 14, 2018 request to proceed with construction of the Texas Eastern Appalachian Lease (TEAL) Project Phase II facilities at the Salineville and Colerain Compressor Stations.
In considering
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following letter (Docket No. CP16-23-000):
To: David A. Alonzo, Specialist I, Rates and Certificates, Texas Eastern Transmission LP, 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, TX 77056
Re: Authorization to Proceed with Construction of Phase II
Dear Mr. Alonzo:
I grant Texas Eastern Transmission, LP's (Texas Eastern) June 14, 2018 request to proceed with construction of the Texas Eastern Appalachian Lease (TEAL) Project Phase II facilities at the Salineville and Colerain Compressor Stations.
In consideringthis notice to proceed, we have determined that Texas Eastern's November 3, 2017 Implementation Plan and June 14, 2018 request include the information necessary to comply with Environmental Condition 6 of the Commission's August 25, 2017 Order Issuing Certificates and Granting Abandonment (Order) issued in the above referenced docket applicable to these facilities. We have confirmed the receipt of all federal authorizations relevant to the approved activities herein.
I remind you that Texas Eastern must comply with all applicable terms and conditions of the Commission's Order. If you have any questions regarding this approval, please contact me at 202-502-8056.
Sincerely,
Joanne M. Wachholder, Environmental Project Manager, Division of Gas Environment and Engineering
Corps Awards Intracoastal Waterway, Ponce De Leon Inlet Dredging Contract
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 18 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release:
The maintenance contract will dredge sand deposited in the waterways with the passage of hurricanes Matthew and Irma, and two nor'easters. Dredging keeps the channels open for safe navigation. The Corps anticipates dredging will start in August and take about eight months to complete.
Work consists of maintenance dredging approximately 500,000 cubic yards of material from the IWW in the vicinity of Ponce de Leon Inlet from Cut V-22 to Cut V-35 to a depth of 12 feet plus 2 feet of allowable over-depth,
... Show Full Article
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 18 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release:
The maintenance contract will dredge sand deposited in the waterways with the passage of hurricanes Matthew and Irma, and two nor'easters. Dredging keeps the channels open for safe navigation. The Corps anticipates dredging will start in August and take about eight months to complete.
Work consists of maintenance dredging approximately 500,000 cubic yards of material from the IWW in the vicinity of Ponce de Leon Inlet from Cut V-22 to Cut V-35 to a depth of 12 feet plus 2 feet of allowable over-depth,and the Ponce de Leon Inlet navigation channel from Cut-1A to Cut-5N to a depth of 12 feet plus 2 feet of allowable over-depth.
Cavache will place excavated material in a nearshore area about 1.6 miles south of the inlet. The excavated material will be piped via a pipeline down the waterway then transferred through an existing pipeline sleeve which is located at Sapphire Road and Maryanne Clancy Park which emerges onto the New Smyrna Beach and then placed in the nearshore. Work also consists of dredging approximately 10,000 cubic yards of material from the Coast Guard Station at Ponce Inlet and placing it in the Rose Bay disposal area.
Additional work includes turbidity and endangered species monitoring.
Consolidating these dredging projects is anticipated to result in a cost savings of $1.5 million. Placement of the dredged material in the nearshore of New Smyrna Beach brings dredging and coastal protection together through regional sediment management (RSM). The mission of RSM is to use sand or sediment that is dredged from navigation channels and places it on or near shorelines to nourish beaches and reduce risks to landside infrastructure. Numerous wildlife species rely on these healthy beaches as a place to live, feed, rest and nest.
