Federal Independent Agencies
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.
Featured Stories
Silver Spring, Maryland, Natural Gas Explosion Subject of NTSB Meeting
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Tuesday its intention to hold a board meeting, March 12, 2019, 9:30 a.m. (EST), to determine the probable cause of the Aug. 10, 2016, natural gas explosion and fire in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The accident killed seven people, 65 civilians were transported to area hospitals and three firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Parties to the investigation include the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Maryland Public Service
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Tuesday its intention to hold a board meeting, March 12, 2019, 9:30 a.m. (EST), to determine the probable cause of the Aug. 10, 2016, natural gas explosion and fire in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The accident killed seven people, 65 civilians were transported to area hospitals and three firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Parties to the investigation include the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Maryland Public ServiceCommission, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Department of Police and Washington Gas.
WHO: NTSB Investigative staff and Board Members.
WHAT: An open to the public board meeting to determine probable cause of the Aug. 10, 2016, natural gas explosion and fire in Silver Spring, Maryland.
WHERE: NTSB Boardroom and Conference Center, 420 10th St., SW, Washington.
WHEN: March 12, 2019, 9:30 a.m. (EST).
HOW: Media covering the meeting in person are asked to be in place not later than 9:15 a.m. on the day of the event. The public meeting will also be webcast. A link for the webcast will be available at http://ntsb.windrosemedia.com/ shortly before the start of the meeting
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding Between USAID and the Government of Hungary
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development issued the following news release:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), represented by Acting Deputy Administrator David Moore, and the Secretariat for the Aid of Persecuted Christians of the Government of Hungary, represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. The objective of the MOU is to increase coordination to help communities in the Middle East recover from genocide and persecution by the Islamic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development issued the following news release:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), represented by Acting Deputy Administrator David Moore, and the Secretariat for the Aid of Persecuted Christians of the Government of Hungary, represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. The objective of the MOU is to increase coordination to help communities in the Middle East recover from genocide and persecution by the IslamicState of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The MOU with Hungary is part of USAID's continuing effort to expand its partnerships to help endangered, displaced, and persecuted religious and ethnic minorities return home and restore their communities across the Middle East, particularly in parts of Northern Iraq liberated from the tyranny of ISIS. The MOU is intended to increase cooperation through sharing knowledge, experience, and resources to develop projects in fields that include private-sector growth, housing, service-delivery, conflict-mitigation, religious freedom and other human rights.
In addition to the Government of Hungary, USAID has signed MOUs with the Government of Poland and the Knights of Columbus to coordinate efforts in Northern Iraq and the Middle East. USAID looks forward to working with the Government of Hungary to help advance religious freedom and pluralism.
NASA Begins America's New Moon to Mars Exploration Approach in 2018
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- NASA issued the following news release:
NASA welcomed a new administrator, Jim Bridenstine, deputy administrator, Jim Morhard, and chief financial officer, Jeff DeWit, in 2018. Their focus is on firmly establishing the groundwork to send Americans back to the Moon sustainably, with plans to use the agency's lunar experience to prepare to send astronauts to Mars.
"Our agency's accomplishments in 2018 are breathtaking. We've inspired the world and created incredible new capabilities for our nation," Bridenstine said. "This year, we landed on Mars for the seventh time, and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- NASA issued the following news release:
NASA welcomed a new administrator, Jim Bridenstine, deputy administrator, Jim Morhard, and chief financial officer, Jeff DeWit, in 2018. Their focus is on firmly establishing the groundwork to send Americans back to the Moon sustainably, with plans to use the agency's lunar experience to prepare to send astronauts to Mars.
"Our agency's accomplishments in 2018 are breathtaking. We've inspired the world and created incredible new capabilities for our nation," Bridenstine said. "This year, we landed on Mars for the seventh time, andAmerica remains the only country to have landed on Mars successfully. We created new U.S. commercial partnerships to land back on the Moon. We made breakthroughs in our quest to send humans farther into space than ever before. And, we contributed to remarkable advancements in aviation. I want to thank the entire NASA team for a fantastic year of American leadership in space, and I am confident we will build on our 2018 successes in 2019."
In 2018, NASA celebrated six decades of exploration, discoveries and cutting-edge technology development for the agency's 60th anniversary on Oct. 1. Bridenstine said, "President Eisenhower launched our nation into the Space Age and President Kennedy gave us the charge to reach the Moon. Over six incredible decades, we have brought the world an amazing number of bold missions in science, aviation and human exploration. NASA and its workforce have never failed to raise the bar of human potential and blaze a trail to the future. We celebrate our legacy today with great promise and a strong direction from the President to return to the Moon and go on to Mars."
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer received a successful clean audit in 2018 - the eighth consecutive clean financial audit opinion for the agency. In addition, DeWit led his Strategic Investments Division in working with the Government Accounting Office to pass an official Corrective Action Plan for only the second time in NASA's history, which will increase accountability and transparency into the costs of large programs and proactively improve NASA's program and project management activities.
On Dec. 11, NASA recently marked the one-year anniversary of Space Policy Directive-1 (SPD-1), which provided a directive for NASA to return humans to the surface of the moon for long-term exploration and utilization and pursue human exploration of Mars and the broader solar system. Two additional space policy directives were enacted this year by the White House, with SPD-2 in February helping ease the regulatory environment so entrepreneurs can thrive in space, and SPD-3 in June helping ensure the U.S. is a leader in providing a safe and secure environment as commercial and civil space traffic increases.
Moon to Mars
America's return to the Moon will begin with U.S. commercial delivery services of small scientific instruments, followed by development of an infrastructure in orbit around the Moon to support human missions to the lunar surface, Mars and destinations beyond, for decades to come. Highlights from 2018 include:
- In October, NASA issued a call for lunar surface instruments and technology payloads that will fly to the Moon on commercial lunar landers as early as next year. On Nov. 29, the agency announced nine U.S. companies are eligible to bid on NASA delivery services to the lunar surface through Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contracts.
- After receiving more than 190 scientific abstracts from the research community, NASA hosted a conference in February for scientists across a variety of disciplines to discuss future exploration and research using the Gateway, a spacecraft that will orbit the Moon and support human and robotic missions.
- In an effort to lay the foundation for partnerships with U.S. industry in several aspects of Gateway development and operation, NASA issued in 2018 several requests for information and ideas from U.S. companies about the Gateway's use and supply, as well as lunar payload transportation capabilities, and construction of its power and propulsion element.
- NASA continued to refine requirements for a U.S. habitat module for the Gateway and technology to use and process space-based resources through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2).
The transportation system that will carry astronauts from Earth to the Gateway, and help build the structure in orbit, continued to take shape in 2018 with more flight hardware coming together around the country for the first launch of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft.
- NASA delivered the second piece of SLS flight hardware to its Kennedy Space Center in Florida earlier this year. The Orion stage adapter will connect the spacecraft to SLS and will be loaded with 13 small satellites on the first mission.
- Engineers are completing final outfitting and assembly of the five major structural pieces of the SLS core stage at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
- Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, are putting the finishing touches on the 30-foot-tall launch vehicle stage adapter, which will connect SLS' core stage to the interim cryogenic propulsion stage delivered to Kennedy last year.
- Engineers at Kennedy installed Orion's reentry heat shield
- ESA (European Space Agency) delivered to Kennedy the service module that will propel, power and cool Orion during the first integrated flight test with SLS - Exploration Mission 1.
- Workers at Kennedy also completed construction on the main flame deflector at Launch Pad 39B, and engineers installed the final umbilical on the mobile launcher before rolling the massive tower on Crawler-Transporter 2 to the pad.
It was a great year for robotic exploration of Mars, as well:
- NASA's Curiosity rover identified fragments of complex organic molecules in the shallow surface of Mars, giving us further evidence that the Red Planet could have hosted life at one point.
- NASA launched and landed the first spacecraft to set down on the Red Planet since Curiosity arrived in 2012 - the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight). InSight touched down on Martian soil in November to study the planet's interior and, just 10 days after landing, provided the first ever "sounds" of winds on Mars.
- NASA also announced the landing site for its next Red Planet rover, Mars 2020, which will continue the agency's efforts to search for evidence of life and prepare for human arrival.
Other highlights in the agency's progress this year in supporting the new Moon to Mars exploration approach include:
- More than 4,300 hours of testing completed on Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Hall thrusters.
- Orion pressure vessel for first crewed flight shipped to Kennedy.
- Final test of Orion's parachute system.
- Preparation for test of Orion's launch abort system.
- Several parts of SLS in production, or completed, for second mission.
- New series of SLS RS-25 engine test firings included nine tests of 3D-printed parts.
- First combination 3D printer and recycler launched to International Space Station to demonstrate new in-space manufacturing technology.
- NASA solicited new ways to manage trash on deep space missions.
- Ten companies chosen to conduct studies and advance technologies to collect and use space-based resources.
- 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge progressed as participating teams created digital models of Martian habitats and constructed and tested foundation prototypes.
Solar System and Beyond
In 2018, NASA bid farewell to two veteran science spacecraft, launched a record-breaking mission to the Sun, and continued to make discoveries with current missions and progress on future missions. Highlights from the year include:
- NASA's Parker Solar Probe launched on the first-ever mission to "touch the Sun." The mission broke records for fastest human-made object and closest approach to the Sun, and sent home its first light images - including a picture of Earth - in late October. Its first flight through the Sun's outer atmosphere was on Nov. 7.
- After a two-year journey, NASA's Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission arrived at its destination, the asteroid Bennu, on Dec. 3. One of the first observations from NASA's first asteroid sample return mission revealed water locked inside the clays that make up Bennu.
- For only the second time in history, a human-made object reached the space between the stars. In December, NASA announced its Voyager 2 probe has exited the heliosphere - the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields created by the Sun.
- Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories, astronomers found in June that Oumuamua, the first known interstellar object to travel through our solar system, had an unexpected speed boost and a change in trajectory. Scientists believe the object is a new type of comet.
- After nine years of searching for planets outside our solar system, NASA's Kepler space telescope ran out of fuel, but not before scientists were able to use it, and Hubble, to find hints of what could be a moon orbiting another planet outside our solar system. If confirmed, this would be the first exomoon ever detected.
- NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in April, continues the search for planets outside our solar system. The spacecraft, which began science operations in July, will survey the entire sky over the course of two years, searching for nearby exoplanets.
- NASA's Dawn mission, which launched in 2007, also ran out of fuel this year, but not before becoming the first spacecraft to orbit two separate bodies in the solar system - the asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres. Among its many findings, Dawn helped scientists discover organics on Ceres and evidence that dwarf planets could have hosted oceans over a significant part of their history - and may still.
- The Independent Review Board established by NASA to assess progress on its James Webb Space Telescope unanimously recommended this year that development on the world's premier science observatory should continue. NASA established a new 2021 launch date for Webb, and completed several critical tests and milestones in 2018, including vibration and acoustic tests and a simulation of the telescope's complex communications. The two halves of Webb - the spacecraft and the telescope - were connected temporarily for a communications test during which they successfully "spoke" to each other.
- Newly analyzed data from NASA's Galileo spacecraft, collected two decades ago, indicate the magnetic field around the moon Ganymede makes it unlike any other in the solar system.
Humans in Space
In 2018, NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei, Scott Tingle, Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Anne McClain participated in their first spaceflight missions to the International Space Station, benefitting from the experience of three veteran astronauts Joe Acaba, Ricky Arnold, and Drew Feustel, who also completed missions aboard the space station this year. Here are ways humans in space were leading discovery and improving life on Earth in 2018:
- Crew members of Expeditions 54-58 supported more than 100 new U.S. science investigations, which use the unique orbiting laboratory to prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars and improve life on Earth through research sponsored by the U.S. National Laboratory. In February, astronauts set a new record-setting week of research that surpassed 100 hours.
- Research conducted on station in 2018 included experiments to understand plants on Earth as well as plants growing in space, and new facilities that may help us to understand the materials needed for exploring the universe, the physiology of life in space and the basic elements of the universe itself.
- A testbed for technology, the space station now hosts the first combination 3D printer and recycler to demonstrate a new in-space manufacturing capability, Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) to help identify microbes aboard the space station, and the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM).
- Nine U.S. astronauts were assigned to Commercial Crew Program missions aboard the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon. Both companies have begun final testing of their spacecraft and associated systems, and the first test flights are expected in 2019.
- Expedition 56 astronauts installed new cameras on the station in June to provide enhanced views of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon as they approach and dock to the station.
- NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, who were forced to abort their planned mission to the orbital laboratory, were reassigned to the Expedition 59 mission, targeted to launch Feb. 28, 2019.
- Successful commercial partnerships with Northrop Grumman and SpaceX for cargo resupply resulted in five missions delivering more than 32,000 pounds of critical supplies to the International Space Station, while the SpaceX Dragon capsule also returned more than 7,800 pounds of investigations and equipment to researchers on Earth.
- NASA began operating a new space communications satellite to support more than 40 NASA missions in low-Earth orbit as well as astronauts living in space on the orbital laboratory, enabling it to continue communications support well into the next decade.
- NASA continued to update the space communication and navigation networks that support 83 missions, returning data from the solar system, and beyond, back to Earth. This includes upgrading emergency communications ground stations that support the space station and refurbishing its Bermuda Tracking Station, which supports launches from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, and will support launches of commercial crew to the space station and Orion/SLS missions to the Moon from Florida. The agency also issued a call for studies to explore designs that incorporate commercial elements into future space relay services.
- NASA selected 13 companies to study the future of commercial human spaceflight in low-Earth orbit, including long-range opportunities for the International Space Station.
- NASA and its space station partners marked the 20th anniversary of the launch and construction of the first elements of the International Space Station.
Flight
NASA's aeronautics team reached several major milestones in 2018 in its efforts to enable commercial supersonic air travel over land.
- In April, the agency awarded Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company a contract to build the Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft, designated the X-59, which will demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land. In July, NASA signed an agreement with its French counterpart to collaborate on research predicting where sonic booms will be heard as supersonic aircraft fly overhead.
- In October, an X-59 model was tested in a wind tunnel at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia to collect data about the aircraft's flight controls.
- In November, the X-59 project completed a rigorous review and the agency committed to the project's funding and development timeline.
- Methods for measuring public perception of supersonic noise from the X-59 were tested over Galveston, Texas, using a NASA F/A-18 research jet.
Another major aeronautics focus was NASA's ongoing work in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) - a safe and efficient system for passenger and cargo air transportation in and around urban areas.
- In May, NASA partnered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry to demonstrate new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) concepts that help maintain safe spacing between drones beyond visual line-of-sight.
- In June, NASA's remotely-piloted Ikhana aircraft successfully flew in the National Airspace System without a safety chase aircraft, relying on NASA-developed technology and moving the United States one step closer to normalizing unmanned aircraft operations in the national airspace.
- In November, the agency announced plans for a UAM Grand Challenge.
Throughout the year, NASA continued several other avenues of research to advance aerial vehicle technology:
- Engineers used a test stand called AirVolt to test the cruise motors that will power NASA's first fully electric X-plane, the X-57.
- The agency looked into how icing affects jet engines at high altitudes.
- NASA completed a series of Acoustic Research Measurement flights that combined several technologies to achieve a greater than 70 percent reduction in airframe noise.
- Researchers furthered the ability to fly safely with newly configured, highly flexible wings by flying the X-56 to collect data on wing flutter models and ways to suppress it.
- NASA's work in 2018 to help modernize and improve the nation's air traffic management system was highlighted by the transfer to the FAA of NASA technology developed so aircraft arriving at busy airports can be managed more efficiently.
Space Technology
Technology drives exploration and, in 2018, NASA's investments in space technology continued to advance our capabilities for future exploration missions. New technology tests, demonstrations and partnerships helped solve complex challenges needed to land, live and explore the Moon and Mars.
- NASA and the Department of Energy demonstrated a new nuclear reactor power system that could provide surface power on the Moon and Mars.
- A team of NASA engineers demonstrated a technology first: fully autonomous X-ray navigation in space, which could revolutionize NASA's ability to pilot robotic spacecraft to the far reaches of the solar system and beyond.
- NASA announced 10 new lunar focused Tipping Point partnerships with six U.S. companies.
- The Robotic Refueling Mission 3 launched to the space station aboard a SpaceX rocket. The technology demonstration will store and transfer super-cold cryogenic fluid in space, helping mature capabilities for robotic satellite servicing and refueling.
- The Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Antenna CubeSat mission advanced high-speed data downlink from space, a communications technology also used by two small satellites to relay InSight's Mars landing data back to Earth.
- A small satellite achieved space-to-ground laser communications for the first time. The Optical Communication and Sensor Demonstration mission transmitted at a data rate of 100 megabits per second - 50 times greater than standard communications systems for spacecraft this size.
- NASA advanced additive manufacturing for rocket propulsion and successfully hot-fire tested a combustion chamber made using new 3D printing techniques.
- A team of engineers completed ground demonstrations of the autonomous capture portion of the Restore-L satellite servicing project.
- NASA's three In-space Robotic Manufacturing and Assembly partners completed ground demonstrations of robotic arms, vision systems, additive techniques and other cutting-edge technologies to assemble structures in space.
- NASA's Flight Opportunities program funded more than 40 payload flight demonstrations, providing opportunities for researchers to test new technologies and helping mature the suborbital flight industry.
- In September, the innovative heat shield technology, Adaptable Deployable Entry Placement Technology conducted a flight test.
- NASA awarded more than 550 small business contracts, totaling more than $180 million.
Earth
In 2018, NASA continued to use its global perspective of Earth from space to improve lives and revolutionize our understanding of how our planet works and is changing. By bringing together technology, science, and unique global observations, NASA provides societal benefits and strengthens our nation.
- In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists using an array of NASA satellite observations have mapped locations around the world where the availability of freshwater is changing. The study found that Earth's wet land areas are getting wetter and dry areas are getting drier.
- For the first time ever, measurements from NASA satellites are being used to help combat a potential outbreak of life-threatening cholera. Humanitarian teams in Yemen are targeting areas identified by a NASA-supported project that precisely forecasts high-risk regions based on environmental conditions observed from space.
- In November, NASA scientists and satellite data analysts worked daily to produce maps and damage assessments for disaster managers battling major wildfires near Los Angeles and in Northern California.
- Ice losses from Antarctica have tripled since 2012, causing sea levels to rise faster today than at any time in the past 25 years, according to a major international climate assessment funded by NASA and ESA (European Space Agency.)
- NASA launched the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD), its first mission to provide unprecedented measurements of the temperature and composition of Earth's upper atmosphere.
STEM Engagement
This past year, NASA celebrated a Year of Education on Station, during which teachers-turned-astronauts Joe Acaba and Ricky Arnold inspired thousands of students and educators through live events and video lessons from space.
NASA continues to offer educators and nonprofits low-cost opportunities to conduct research in space through its CubeSat Launch Initiative, including kicking off its 10th annual call for submissions, while NASA and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation are engaging K-12 students with a series of Future Engineers challenges.
As part of NASA's 60th anniversary, NASA honored the legacy of the space shuttle Challenger crew by conducting Christa McAuliffe's lesson plan on the space station.
Public Engagement
By engaging in public events, including a National Symphony Orchestra Pops concert; "Space, the Next Frontier" concert celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; "Spirit of Apollo" tribute from Washington National Cathedral; First Man press junket and red-carpet screening; Space Symposium; USA Science & Engineering Festival; International Balloon Fiesta; International Observe the Moon Night; Awesome Con; and EAA AirVenture, more than five million people had the chance to interact with representatives of America's space agency.
NASA's digital communications team was honored with another Webby Award and four People's Voice awards in 2018. NASA.gov, the agency's primary website, received its third consecutive, and 10th overall, People's Voice Award in the Government & Civil Innovation category. Web visitors continue to come to NASA not just for information on agency programs, but to learn about space in general. The site's busiest day in 2018 was the Mars InSight landing in November, and the second-busiest was the Super Blue Blood Moon eclipse in January.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory received an Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Original Interactive Program for its coverage of the Cassini mission's Grand Finale at Saturn in September 2017.
NASA's social media presence continued to grow in 2018, with more than 186.9 million total followers across all accounts and platforms. The agency has the most followers of any agency or department in the federal government on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Google+. The agency also hosted 25 NASA Socials this year, bringing together more than 880 followers who engage with NASA via social media for unique in-person experiences of exploration and discovery.
For more about NASA's missions, research and discoveries, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov
NASA Administrator Bridenstine Issues Statement on Death of Ramon
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- NASA issued the following statement by Administrator Jim Bridenstine on the death of Rona Ramon:
"NASA is deeply saddened by the passing of Rona Ramon, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and the people of Israel.
"Rona's courage and inspiration in the face of tragedy have helped inspire a new generation to build on the legacy of her husband, space shuttle astronaut Ilan Ramon.
Throughout her life, she remained a friend of those who would pioneer space, encouraging worldwide dialogue through the Ilan Ramon Symposium, and a deeper awareness of the challenges
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- NASA issued the following statement by Administrator Jim Bridenstine on the death of Rona Ramon:
"NASA is deeply saddened by the passing of Rona Ramon, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and the people of Israel.
"Rona's courage and inspiration in the face of tragedy have helped inspire a new generation to build on the legacy of her husband, space shuttle astronaut Ilan Ramon.
Throughout her life, she remained a friend of those who would pioneer space, encouraging worldwide dialogue through the Ilan Ramon Symposium, and a deeper awareness of the challengesand bravery of our astronauts.
"Through the Ramon Foundation, that work will continue to encourage the leaders of tomorrow to take up the mantle of exploration and inquiry. We stand on the shoulders of Rona and Ilan as we continue to reach for the heavens."
* * *
For information about NASA's missions, programs and activities, visit: https://www.nasa.gov
Maine Facilities Improve Hazardous Waste Management and Protect Health and Safety
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 18 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
A Hartland, Maine, tannery has agreed to come into compliance with state and federal hazardous waste laws and to pay a penalty of $48,000 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it violated these laws at its facility in Hartland. Another Maine company, GVS North America of Sanford, also recently came into compliance with state and federal hazardous waste laws and agreed to pay a penalty to settle charges of violations of hazardous waste regulations by EPA's New
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 18 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
A Hartland, Maine, tannery has agreed to come into compliance with state and federal hazardous waste laws and to pay a penalty of $48,000 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it violated these laws at its facility in Hartland. Another Maine company, GVS North America of Sanford, also recently came into compliance with state and federal hazardous waste laws and agreed to pay a penalty to settle charges of violations of hazardous waste regulations by EPA's NewEngland office.
"These settlements improve compliance with important federal and state laws that protect Maine communities, facility employees and first responders from hazardous waste exposure," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. "The companies' work with EPA and steps taken to return to compliance will help us together to advance public and worker health and safety."
Tasman Leather Group, LLC agreed to correct all violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and State of Maine Hazardous Waste Management Rules, and certified compliance with these requirements. This case stems from a June 2016 inspection by EPA inspectors who found that the facility had failed to get a site-specific identification number, maintain a compliant hazardous waste contingency plan, conduct an annual review of hazardous waste training, and conduct an adequate hazardous waste determination, among other alleged violations. Without a site-specific identification number, a facility may avoid regulatory oversight. Without a compliant contingency plan and proper training, facility employees and emergency responders may not know how to respond in an emergency.
These violations posed a threat to the health and safety of employees and the surrounding community because they could have led to hazardous waste releases. This settlement reduces the likelihood of a release of hazardous waste to the Hartland community. The Hartland facility, which re-tans and finishes leather for the military, footwear and fashion industries, generates hazardous waste, including flammable solvents.
According to EPA, GVS North America - a Delaware-based subsidiary of a company based in Italy - was found to be out of compliance in that they failed to provide employee hazardous waste management training, failed to have adequate space between containers of hazardous waste, and failed to do weekly inspections of hazardous waste containers, among other violations of RCRA and the State of Maine Hazardous Waste Management Rules.
In the case of GVS North America, the company is now doing the training and inspections necessary to comply with federal and state hazardous waste laws. GVS also agreed to pay a penalty of $63,036 to settle claims by EPA that it failed to properly manage its hazardous waste. The Sanford facility, which makes filters for life sciences applications as well as throttle plates for cars, generates hazardous wastes containing sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, methanol NMP, flammable solids, universal wastes, and chromium.
IMF Executive Board Concludes 2018 Article IV Consultation With Kosovo
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The International Monetary Fund issued the following news release:
On December 17, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with Kosovo, and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting. [2]
Following three years of robust economic growth, the economy is expected to continue to grow at 4.0 percent in 2018, led by investment, consumption, and services exports. Inflation is projected to remain subdued at 0.9 percent. The budget deficit under the fiscal rule definition is expected to be around
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The International Monetary Fund issued the following news release:
On December 17, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with Kosovo, and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting. [2]
Following three years of robust economic growth, the economy is expected to continue to grow at 4.0 percent in 2018, led by investment, consumption, and services exports. Inflation is projected to remain subdued at 0.9 percent. The budget deficit under the fiscal rule definition is expected to be around11/2 percent of GDP, well within the fiscal rule ceiling of 2 percent. Adding investment exempted from the deficit rule, the overall deficit is expected to reach 3 percent of GDP, which is also accompanied by a widening of the current account deficit to 7 percent of GDP. The banking system remains sound and financial deepening continues.
For 2019, growth is expected to increase to 4.2 percent supported by a temporary increase in public investment, and over the medium term to remain at its potential of 4 percent on the back of robust domestic demand and exports. Stronger reform progress, especially in labor market and governance areas, could lead to higher growth. However, there is an increased risk that spending pressures and tax revenue shortfalls could further crowd out productive spending or potentially increase the fiscal deficit and undermine confidence. Although the proposed new power plant would alleviate energy bottlenecks and provide an impulse to growth, it would widen the current account deficit during the construction phase and--depending on its financial arrangements--could significantly increase public debt.
Executive Board Assessment
Prudent fiscal and financial policies helped preserve macro-financial stability, while growth remains robust. The economy continues to grow at a healthy clip, outpacing Kosovo's neighbors. Fiscal discipline has been maintained, reflected in a 2018 budget deficit that is expected to remain well-below the fiscal rule's ceiling, while financial soundness indicators continued to improve. Despite some progress in regaining competitiveness, the external position remains moderately weaker than implied by fundamentals and desirable medium-term policy settings. Reserves are low in regional comparison, but at comfortable levels using standard metrics. Together with a government bank balance of 4.5 percent of GDP at the CBK they provide sufficient cushion for external, fiscal or liquidity shocks.
However, structural challenges remain largely undented, and should be at the forefront of the policy agenda. An underdeveloped private and export sector, widespread informality, reliance on remittances are mirrored in high unemployment and inactivity rates, and a large trade deficit. Tackling these deep-rooted challenges through structural fiscal, financial sector, product and labor market reforms remain a priority to create the jobs and growth needed to reduce unemployment, outward migration, and the still wide income gap with the rest of Europe. However, in a complex political environment important structural reforms have stalled and pressures to introduce fiscally costly, populist initiatives have increased.
The fiscal rule remains an appropriate anchor for fiscal policy and underpins the 2019 budget, though execution risks are significant. It accommodates large pension increases and space for other wage and social benefit initiatives, relying on large and uncertain gains from reforms in tax administration and war veteran benefits. While the authorities are committed to adjust spending in case of revenue shortfalls, this should be reinforced by limiting specific non-priority spending until the targeted revenue gains have been realized. Financing needs to be diversified to reduce roll-over risks and avoid crowding out credit to the private sector, while the central bank's holdings of government securities are to be gradually reduced.
Revenue administration reforms should be accelerated to strengthen revenue collection and improve the business environment. Revenue remains some 10 percent below the regional average and the tax base is narrow, limiting the space for productive spending. In line with earlier Fund advice, the tax and customs administration need to be overhauled to reduce the high informality and large tax gaps and tax debts. The ambitious revenue targets included in the 2019 budget lend more urgency to these reforms. Further, to protect tax revenues, any changes to the import VAT collection should include strong safeguards, and the granting of new tax expenditures be avoided, and existing ones reviewed. There is also room to increase tax rates in the medium term, given that they are still low by regional standards.
Fiscal risks need to be contained to avoid crowding out pro-growth spending within the limits of the fiscal rule. To contain social benefit pressures, it is essential to move ahead with war veteran reforms and resist introducing new benefits schemes, such as for teachers, the police, and other types of benefits, while any pension increase should be limited to the basic pension only. To contain wage bill pressures, public administration and health care reforms should be (re-) designed to fit within the limits of the wage bill rule. To contain contingent liabilities, plans to restructure public enterprises need to move ahead and any government support for the new power plant through guarantees or financing need to be consistent with the fiscal rule and public debt sustainability. Planned pension reforms need to protect the second pillar and be carefully designed to avoid creating sizeable unfunded liabilities in the medium term.
Spending efficiency needs to be significantly enhanced to improve outcomes and support growth, including through strengthening fiscal institutions and governance. Social benefit reform would create space for much-needed investment to reduce human and physical capital gaps. Yet, any additional space for spending on education, health, the judiciary, active labor market policies, and infrastructure needs to be complemented by efficiency-enhancing reforms to improve outcomes in these areas. In addition, accelerating reforms to strengthen fiscal institutions, such as tax administration, public procurement, public investment and public enterprise management will be important not only to improve spending efficiency, but also to enhance transparency and accountability as well as reduce corruption vulnerabilities.
Policies should pivot from spending initiatives to removing structural constraints to growth and job creation. To lower wage and non-wage cost and improve productivity, it is critical to restrain wage and social benefit growth and implement policies to promote female labor force participation; to upgrade skills and reduce mismatches through better access and quality of education and vocational training; and to reduce infrastructure bottlenecks. Reforms to strengthen the rule of law and reduce red tape should also help in this regard. Fiscal initiatives such as the public salary law and excessively generous maternity/parental benefits, as well as a large minimum wage hike, would not only be costly but also undermine these efforts, providing another reason why they should be avoided or redesigned.
The financial sector remains sound, but access could be further improved. With double-digit credit growth, the authorities need to remain vigilant for possible pockets of risk and differentiate between healthy financial deepening and potentially excessive credit growth. While improving, credit depth remains low in regional comparison. Structural impediments to lending should be further reduced, including by fully implementing the law on enforcement procedures, accelerating the resolution of commercial cases, and strengthening property rights.
It is recommended that the next Article IV consultation takes place on the standard 12-month cycle.
Table omitted. To view table click here: (https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2018/12/17/pr18481-kosovo-imf-executive-board-concludes-2018-article-iv-consultation)
Footnotes:
[1] Under Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country's economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.
[2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse of time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.
EPA Awards California $187 Million for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects
LOS ANGELES, California, Dec. 18 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $187.3 million to California for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.
"These funds will be used for 183 local projects that will boost the economy while improving water systems," said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. "EPA is committed to investing in local infrastructure that will benefit the communities we serve."
EPA awarded $187.3 million to California's Clean Water and
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LOS ANGELES, California, Dec. 18 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $187.3 million to California for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.
"These funds will be used for 183 local projects that will boost the economy while improving water systems," said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. "EPA is committed to investing in local infrastructure that will benefit the communities we serve."
EPA awarded $187.3 million to California's Clean Water andDrinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. These federal funds are supplemented with state funding sources, which together provide low-interest loans for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. As money is repaid to the revolving loan fund, California funds new infrastructure projects.
"As we deal with an unprecedented demand for clean drinking water, the two State Revolving Fund programs will play a significant role in the State Water Board's commitment to protect public health and water quality," said California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Financial Assistance Deputy Director Leslie Laudon. "The funds will address a variety of crucial needs, from upgrading and consolidating small, struggling water systems to recycling wastewater, recharging groundwater and replenishing drinking water supplies. Simply put, these funds help make California water safer, more accessible and sustainable as the state faces a variety of daunting challenges in the years ahead."
The state's Drinking Water SRF received more than $72.5 million for drinking water infrastructure improvements to public water systems including:
* The Indio Water Authority will consolidate two small local water systems serving disadvantaged communities into the Indio Water Authority to provide a reliable supply of water that meets drinking water standards.
* The South Tahoe Public Utilities District will install approximately 6,200 linear feet of new waterline and replace approximately 6,200 linear feet of waterline. The program will also include installation of fire hydrants, pressure regulating valves, air release valves, water services, meters, valve clusters, and paving, to provide reliable service to its customers.
The state's Clean Water SRF received more than $114.7 million to support a variety of water infrastructure improvement projects, including the following:
* The East Valley Water District and the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District will construct the Sterling Natural Resource Center from the ground up. The treatment plant will use the most advanced technology--a membrane bioreactor-- to produce tertiary treated, recycled wastewater that meets all applicable requirements to recharge the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin and ensure local supplies of drinking water for the community.
* The City of El Centro will upgrade the wastewater treatment plant's high-speed aeration blowers. Aeration is an integral part of the treatment process and updating to efficient blowers will reduce the plant's energy use by 34% annually and create significant savings.
EPA has awarded more than $5 billion to California's Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs since their inception in 1988 and 1996, respectively. These funds support California's efforts to address an estimated $70.5 billion worth of water infrastructure needs.
For more information on EPA's SRF programs, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf
http://www.epa.gov/cwsrf
For more information on water programs in EPA's Pacific Southwest Region, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water
