Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
Smithsonian American Art Museum Presents Programs With the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian American Art Museum Presents Programs With the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is collaborating for the 13th consecutive year with the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a series of cherry blossom-themed public programs. The museum's offerings are part of its hands-on program series, designed to spark learning, creativity and appreciation for the arts.
The museum's popular Cherry Blossom Celebration for children and families
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian American Art Museum Presents Programs With the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is collaborating for the 13th consecutive year with the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a series of cherry blossom-themed public programs. The museum's offerings are part of its hands-on program series, designed to spark learning, creativity and appreciation for the arts.
The museum's popular Cherry Blossom Celebration for children and familiesis Saturday, March 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather permitting, the event will begin on the museum's F Street plaza with a Japanese taiko performance by the drumming group Nen Daiko. Other performances and activities in the museum's courtyard include an all-vinyl music set of Japanese soul, funk, boogie, pop and disco by Les The DJ, a ballet showcase by Misako Ballet Company and a Japanese model train display from Japan Rail Modelers of Washington, D.C. Children ages 12 and younger can create their own cherry blossom-themed crafts. Visitors can participate in a spring-themed scavenger hunt to explore the museum's galleries. The museum's Courtyard Cafe will offer seasonal treats for purchase. The Cherry Blossom Celebration is free, but registration is encouraged. More information and links to register are available on the museum's website.
A cherry blossom-themed workshop, presented as part of the museum's series "Beyond the Studio," is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. Multidiscipline artist and arts educator Lea Craigie will discuss the art of linocut printmaking and lead participants as they prepare, carve and print a cherry blossoms-inspired design of their own creation (cost $20); space is limited, and registration--open March 5 through April 5--is required.
These programs are presented as part of the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Ongoing at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
During the National Cherry Blossom Festival, visitors to the museum can enjoy the special exhibition "Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work" that sheds new light on the beloved paintings by Anna Mary Robertson "Grandma Moses" (1860-1961), and "Nick Cave: Mammoth," an immersive project commissioned by the museum where the artist focuses on the fundamental connections between people and their environment. The museum's galleries display many remarkable artworks that reflect the profound and long-standing contributions of Asian American and Asian diasporic artists in the United States, including Glenn Kaino's "Bridge" and Shahzia Sikander's "The Last Post." A schedule of daily walk-in, docent-led tours is available on the museum's website.
* * *
About the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the flagship museum in the United States for American art and craft. It is home to one of the most significant collections of American art in the world. The museum's main building, located at Eighth and G streets N.W., is open daily (closed Dec. 25) from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum's Renwick Gallery, a branch museum dedicated to contemporary craft, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Check online for current hours and visitor information. Admission is free. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.
* * *
About the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the world's great celebrations of spring. The 2026 festival takes place March 20-April 12, and includes four weekends of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and community spirit. The Leadership Circle Sponsors for the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival are Events DC and ANA, All Nippon Airways. Visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM for more information. Get the latest updates via email and follow the festival on social media: Facebook (@CherryBlossomFestival), Instagram (@CherryBlossFest), X (@CherryBlossFest) and YouTube (@CherryBlossFest). View all events on the festival's website.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-american-art-museum-presents-programs-2026-national-cherry-blossom
Helsinki Commission and Ukraine Caucus Leadership Mark Fourth Anniversary of Russia's Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following news release on Feb. 24, 2026:
* * *
Helsinki Commission and Ukraine Caucus Leadership Mark Fourth Anniversary of Russia's Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine
Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), and Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), leaders of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and U.S. Senate and House Ukraine Caucuses,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following news release on Feb. 24, 2026:
* * *
Helsinki Commission and Ukraine Caucus Leadership Mark Fourth Anniversary of Russia's Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine
Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), and Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), leaders of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and U.S. Senate and House Ukraine Caucuses,today issued a statement marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin believed that Russia would take Kyiv in three days. Even Western intelligence feared Ukraine could hold out for only a matter of weeks. Four years on, Kyiv stands. Ukrainians have demonstrated their grit on the battlefield and dedication to freedom. They have held fast against what was once one of the world's most feared armies.
"Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve his war aims and is in a significantly weaker position than when he began this war. Now is not the time to grant him a reprieve. He should not be allowed to gain through negotiations what he has not managed to achieve in four years of bloodshed. The United States must redouble its efforts to strangle Russia's wartime economy and crack down on Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers. Our European allies must ensure that Ukraine has the funds needed to maximize their defense production and import select Western systems. Ukrainians have not given up on each other, and we cannot give up on them. They are exactly the type of allies Americans want by our side--principled, resolute, and invested in our shared freedom and prosperity."
Background:
Russian troops are advancing at a slower rate and taking more casualties than any other major army over the past century. While failing to accomplish its aims of the battlefield, Russia has resorted to attacking Ukrainian civilians, sending missiles and drones to population centers and attempting to freeze Ukrainians into submission during a historically cold winter. Since February 2022, Russia has seized 12% of Ukraine's territory.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.csce.gov/press-releases/helsinki-commission-and-ukraine-caucus-leadership-mark-fourth-anniversary-of-russias-unprovoked-invasion-of-ukraine/
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Report on Fatal Hydrogen Sulfide Release at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (TNSrpt) -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued the following news release on Feb. 23, 2026:
* * *
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Report on Fatal Hydrogen Sulfide Release at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today released its final investigation report into the fatal October 10, 2024 release of toxic hydrogen sulfide at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Deer Park, Texas. Two contract workers died as a result of exposure to the toxic gas, 13 others were transported to local medical facilities,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (TNSrpt) -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued the following news release on Feb. 23, 2026:
* * *
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Report on Fatal Hydrogen Sulfide Release at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today released its final investigation report into the fatal October 10, 2024 release of toxic hydrogen sulfide at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Deer Park, Texas. Two contract workers died as a result of exposure to the toxic gas, 13 others were transported to local medical facilities,and dozens more were treated at the scene. Over 27,000 pounds of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas were released during the incident, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for two neighboring cities.
The release occurred at approximately 4:23 p.m. on October 10, 2024, during maintenance activities in the refinery's Amine Unit when contract workers from Repcon, Inc. (Repcon) mistakenly opened a flange on piping that contained pressurized hydrogen sulfide. The workers were supposed to open a different flange on piping that was located approximately five feet away. One Repcon worker was fatally injured when the gas was released. The hydrogen sulfide vapor subsequently traveled downwind into an adjacent unit, where a worker employed by another contractor (ISC) inhaled the toxic gas and was also fatally injured.
The release continued for nearly one hour until refinery emergency responders reassembled the leaking flange and stopped the discharge. Because of the release, local officials in the neighboring cities of Deer Park and Pasadena, Texas, issued shelter-in-place orders that remained in effect for several hours. Although the refinery did not sustain physical structural damage, the company reported approximately $12.3 million in property damage related to loss of use of the Amine Unit and downstream processes.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, "Two people died and the surrounding community was put at risk because of a completely preventable mistake. Companies must ensure that hazards are clearly identified and that effective procedures are in place to protect workers in facilities like this and the people who live and work nearby."
The CSB's final report concludes that the incident resulted from the failure to positively identify the correct equipment before mistakenly opening the piping that contained hydrogen sulfide instead of the piping that had been clear of the toxic gas. Contributing to the severity of the incident was the refinery's failure to adequately assess the hazards of conducting pipe-opening activities in an active unit next to an area where numerous other workers were present. The investigation also found that deviations from established policies and procedures contributed to the event.
The CSB's final report further identifies several key safety issues:
* Positive Equipment Identification: The CSB found that the refinery lacked an effective method to clearly identify the correct piping flange before work began. Drawings and flange lists were insufficient to distinguish nearly identical segments, and the identification tag for the correct flange was placed out of view. Without reliable identification, workers searched for unlocked flange devices similar to what they had seen elsewhere in the refinery. The CSB noted that accidental releases from opening the wrong equipment are common in the chemical and refining industries and that no industry-wide standard currently addresses this issue.
* Work Permitting and Hazard Control: The refinery issued a broad work permit covering multiple jobs with varying hazards and without clear hold points. Workers overlooked a written instruction to stop work and obtain an operator's presence before opening the hydrogen sulfide piping. The permit also failed to address the hazard of opening piping in an operational unit upwind of other contractors.
* Turnaround Contractor Management: On the day of the incident, workers were reassigned from a shutdown unit to a partially operational unit containing hydrogen sulfide. This abrupt change, combined with the proximity of the units, led workers to believe they were still working in the shutdown environment, and they were not specifically informed of the risks in the operational unit.
* Conduct of Operations: The CSB identified gaps between written procedures and actual practices at the facility. While the refinery's policies aligned with industry standards, management and operations personnel often misunderstood or deviated from them, contributing to failures in work permitting and hazard evaluation.
CSB Investigator-in-Charge Tyler Nelson said, "Opening hazardous process piping is a common maintenance activity that can be performed safely with effective equipment identification and work permitting practices. This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of equipment identification methods that are clear, consistent, and verified by both facility operators and contract workers before equipment is opened. Strong equipment marking practices, effective work controls, and disciplined operations are essential to preventing deadly releases like this one."
The CSB's report issues several safety recommendations to PEMEX Deer Park Refinery and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The CSB is recommending that PEMEX Deer Park label all piping in the relevant unit at the refinery in accordance with ANSI/ASME A13.1, implement procedures to ensure that workers reassigned to units in "Positive Isolation Status" are clearly informed of associated hazards and safeguards before beginning work, and establish a comprehensive conduct of operations system consistent with the Center for Chemical Process Safety's guidance on operational discipline, including enforceable performance metrics and routine audits. Separately, the CSB recommended that ASME develop written guidelines establishing a standard practice for marking equipment prior to opening, including clear identifiers and requirements for removing markings after work is complete.
The CSB is an independent, nonregulatory federal agency charged with investigating incidents and hazards that result, or may result, in the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances. The agency's core mission activities include conducting incident investigations to identify root cause of releases; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.
The agency's board members are appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation. The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.csb.gov/assets/1/6/PEMEX_Investigation_Report_Final.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://www.csb.gov/us-chemical-safety-board-releases-investigation-report-on-fatal-hydrogen-sulfide-release-at-the-pemex-deer-park-refinery-in-texas/
NASA's Curiosity Rover Sees Martian 'Spiderwebs' Up Close
PASADENA, California, Feb. 24 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
* * *
NASA's Curiosity Rover Sees Martian 'Spiderwebs' Up Close
A hilly landscape that looks like spiderwebs when viewed from orbit holds clues to the history of water on ancient Mars.
For about six months, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has been exploring a region full of geologic formations called boxwork, low ridges standing roughly 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) tall with sandy hollows in between. Crisscrossing the surface for miles, the formations suggest ancient groundwater flowed on this part
... Show Full Article
PASADENA, California, Feb. 24 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
* * *
NASA's Curiosity Rover Sees Martian 'Spiderwebs' Up Close
A hilly landscape that looks like spiderwebs when viewed from orbit holds clues to the history of water on ancient Mars.
For about six months, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has been exploring a region full of geologic formations called boxwork, low ridges standing roughly 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) tall with sandy hollows in between. Crisscrossing the surface for miles, the formations suggest ancient groundwater flowed on this partof the Red Planet later than scientists expected. This possibility raises new questions about how long microbial life could have survived on Mars billions of years ago, before rivers and lakes dried up and left a freezing desert world behind.
The boxwork formations look like giant spiderwebs when viewed from space. To explain the shapes, scientists have proposed that groundwater once flowed through large fractures in the bedrock, leaving behind minerals. Those minerals then strengthened the areas that became ridges while other portions without mineral reinforcement were eventually hollowed out by wind.
Until Curiosity arrived at this region, however, no one could be sure what these formations looked like up close, and there were even more questions about how they were made.
Unpacking boxwork
Although Earth also has boxwork ridges, they're rarely taller than a few centimeters and are usually found in caves or in dry, sandy environments. The Curiosity team wanted to get a close look at the Martian formations and gather more data. This posed a real challenge for rover drivers: They needed to send instructions to Curiosity, an SUV-size vehicle that weighs nearly a ton (899 kilograms), so that it could roll across the tops of ridges not much wider than the rover itself.
"It almost feels like a highway we can drive on. But then we have to go down into the hollows, where you need to be mindful of Curiosity's wheels slipping or having trouble turning in the sand," said operations systems engineer Ashley Stroupe of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which built Curiosity and leads the mission. "There's always a solution. It just takes trying different paths."
For scientists, the challenge is piecing together how such a vast network of boxwork could exist on Mount Sharp, the 3-mile-tall (5-kilometer-tall) mountain the rover has been ascending. Each layer of the mountain formed in a different era of Mars' ancient, changing climate. The higher Curiosity goes, the more the landscape bears signs that water was drying out over time, with occasional wet periods that saw the return of rivers and lakes.
"Seeing boxwork this far up the mountain suggests the groundwater table had to be pretty high," said Tina Seeger of Rice University in Houston, one of the mission scientists leading the boxwork investigation. "And that means the water needed for sustaining life could have lasted much longer than we thought looking from orbit."
Previous orbital imagery included one crucial piece of evidence: dark lines running across the "spiderwebs." In 2014, it was proposed that these lines might be what are known as central fractures, where groundwater seeped through rock cracks and allowed minerals to concentrate. Investigating the ridges up close, Curiosity found that these lines are in fact fractures, lending weight to that hypothesis.
The rover also discovered bumpy textures called nodules, an obvious sign of past groundwater that has been spotted many times by Curiosity and other Mars missions. Unexpectedly, these nodules were not found near the central fractures, but along a ridge's walls and the hollows between them.
"We can't quite explain yet why the nodules appear where they do," Seeger said. "Maybe the ridges were cemented by minerals first, and later episodes of groundwater left nodules around them."
Roving laboratory
A major part of Curiosity's science centers on rock samples collected by the rock-pulverizing drill on the end of the rover's robotic arm. The resulting powder can be trickled into complex science instruments in the vehicle's body for analysis.
Last year, three samples from the boxwork region -- one from a ridgetop, one from bedrock within a hollow, and one from a transitional area before Curiosity reached the ridges -- were collected by the drill and analyzed with X-rays and a high-temperature oven. The X-ray analyses found clay minerals in the ridge and carbonate minerals in the hollow, providing additional clues to help understand how these features formed.
The mission recently collected a fourth sample, which was analyzed with a special technique reserved for the most intriguing science targets: After the pulverized rock went into the rover's high-temperature oven, chemical reagents reacted with the sample to conduct what is called wet chemistry. The resulting reactions make it easier to detect certain organic compounds, carbon-based molecules important to the formation of life.
Sometime in March, Curiosity will leave the boxwork formations behind. The whole region is part of a layer on Mount Sharp enriched in salty minerals called sulfates, which formed as water was drying out on Mars. Curiosity's team plans to continue exploring this sulfate layer for many miles in the coming year, learning more about how the ancient Red Planet's climate changed billions of years ago.
More about Curiosity
Curiosity was built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California. JPL leads the mission on behalf of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program portfolio.
To learn more about Curiosity, visit:
science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-curiosity-rover-sees-martian-spiderwebs-up-close/
FHLBank Chicago and Spring Bank Award Grants to Strengthen Affordable Housing Talent Pipeline in Milwaukee and Increase Housing Supply
CHICAGO, Illinois, Feb. 24 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news on Feb. 23, 2026:
* * *
FHLBank Chicago and Spring Bank Award Grants to Strengthen Affordable Housing Talent Pipeline in Milwaukee and Increase Housing Supply
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, in partnership with member Spring Bank, Brookfield Wis., last week presented two Community First(R) Developer Program (Developer Program) awards to Milwaukee-based developers AK Development and Milwaukee Development Corporation. The awards support paid
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Feb. 24 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news on Feb. 23, 2026:
* * *
FHLBank Chicago and Spring Bank Award Grants to Strengthen Affordable Housing Talent Pipeline in Milwaukee and Increase Housing Supply
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, in partnership with member Spring Bank, Brookfield Wis., last week presented two Community First(R) Developer Program (Developer Program) awards to Milwaukee-based developers AK Development and Milwaukee Development Corporation. The awards support paidinternships and fellowships that build hands-on experience for emerging professionals advancing affordable housing across Wisconsin.
Since launching the Developer Program in 2022, FHLBank Chicago has awarded $12 million to strengthen career pathways and expand long-term affordable housing development across its district.
"Expanding the supply of affordable housing requires more than financing--it requires skilled developers who can move projects from vision to completion," said Katie Naftzger, Senior Vice President and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago. "Through partnerships with members like Spring Bank, we are investing in the next generation of affordable housing professionals across Illinois and Wisconsin."
AK Development received a $250,000 grant through Spring Bank to support three paid interns who will gain exposure to the full development lifecycle, including predevelopment planning, financing coordination, construction oversight and community engagement. Interns will contribute to projects across Milwaukee, including mixed-income redevelopment initiatives, workforce housing communities, transit-oriented development along the MLK corridor, and historic revitalization efforts that integrate tax credit financing and community partnerships.
"This investment allows us to deepen our impact on two levels", said Ariam Kesete, Founder of AK Development. "We're advancing critical housing projects while creating structured, real-world learning opportunities that build confidence, expertise, and leadership capacity within the affordable housing field."
Milwaukee Development Corporation received a $250,000 grant through Spring Bank to support four development fellows gaining experience across multiple phases of real estate development. Fellows will participate in underwriting and financing, predevelopment due diligence, construction coordination and redevelopment initiatives, including the transformation of a former hospital into senior housing and additional workforce housing efforts supporting neighborhood revitalization.
"This funding expands our capacity while mentoring the next generation of developers through active projects," said Pat O'Brien of Milwaukee Development Corporation. "Hands-on experience in real projects builds the skills needed to strengthen Milwaukee neighborhoods over time."
Spring Bank has accessed many of FHLBank Chicago's Community Investment programs and uses secured loans, known as advances, to provide reliable liquidity for community lending that supports housing and economic development across Milwaukee.
"At Spring Bank, our partnership with FHLBank Chicago helps us respond to local needs with consistency and focus," said Heather Nelson, President and CEO of Spring Bank. "The Developer Program allows us to invest in emerging leaders while supporting projects that will benefit Milwaukee neighborhoods for years to come."
Introduced in 2022 at the recommendation of FHLBank Chicago's Community Investment Advisory Council, the Developer Program reflects FHLBank Chicago's ongoing commitment to supporting affordable housing development through strategic partnerships with member institutions.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fhlbc.com/news/news-detail/2026/02/23/fhlbank-chicago-and-spring-bank-award-grants-to-strengthen-affordable-housing-talent-pipeline-in-milwaukee-and-increase-housing-supply
EPA Approves Wyoming's Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA Approves Wyoming's Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program
*
DENVER - Today, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final approval of Wyoming's partial coal combustion residuals (CCR) program. This will allow Wyoming, rather than the federal government, to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills.
"Today's approval is cooperative federalism in action," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "By empowering state experts to manage their own resources,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA Approves Wyoming's Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program
*
DENVER - Today, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final approval of Wyoming's partial coal combustion residuals (CCR) program. This will allow Wyoming, rather than the federal government, to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills.
"Today's approval is cooperative federalism in action," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "By empowering state experts to manage their own resources,landscapes, facilities, and communities, Wyoming will use its local expertise to protect the environment and promote economic growth. This approval highlights how collaboration between EPA and states can drive American energy growth, generate employment, and Power the Great American Comeback."
"Wyoming has been America's leader in coal production for nearly 40 years, and at a time when energy security is front and center, that leadership matters more than ever," said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "This approval strengthens our ability to deliver reliable baseload power for the nation while boosting energy independence and economic stability, allowing Wyoming to continue balancing strong environmental safeguards with the economic benefits coal provides to communities."
"For America to be energy dominant, we need Wyoming coal," said Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). "I applaud the Environmental Protection Agency for recognizing that Wyoming is best positioned to manage coal ash - not Washington. With this final approval, Wyoming workers and Wyoming coal will continue to be a major source of power for our nation now and far into the future."
"The Trump administration has done more to unleash Wyoming's coal industry than any other administration in a generation, and today's announcement is yet another example of the commitment to unleash American energy in action," said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). "By returning permitting authority to the state, where it belongs, the EPA is trusting Wyoming's experts to manage Wyoming's resources-and that's exactly how it should work. This is a great day for Wyoming's coal communities, our economy, and for every American who depends on the reliable, affordable energy the Cowboy State produces."
"Wyoming coal keeps America warm every winter and cool in the summer. Recent freezes nationwide once again demonstrated the need to support Wyoming's coal industry as America's top producer of this life-saving resource," said Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY). "The EPA's order to release federal authority to the state is an important step to clearing barriers for prosperity and reinforcing the power grid. President Trump's energy dominance agenda runs on Wyoming coal. I am proud to see the Trump EPA become a partner with the kind of cooperative federalism that will lead to a cleaner environment and a brighter future."
CCR is produced primarily as a byproduct from burning coal in coal-fired power plants. EPA worked closely with Wyoming to assess the state's program application, gaining valuable insights into how the state will implement its program within its borders. After reviewing Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's application, EPA determined that its application meets the standards for approval. With this approval, Wyoming is the fifth state in the nation, joining Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas, and North Dakota, to take control of their CCR permitting and oversight.
EPA is committed to cooperative federalism, empowering states to lead on local issues with strong federal support. EPA will be proposing decisions for at least four states and is working with several other states to propose additional decisions later this year. EPA stands ready to work with all states to help craft approvable CCR permit programs, from initial conversations to final approvals, to deliver for the American people.
For more information about this approval, visit the Wyoming CCR permit program webpage Exit EPA's website.
Background
CCR is a byproduct of burning coal in coal-fired power plants that, without proper management, can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water and the air. CCR contains contaminants like mercury, cadmium, chromium and arsenic associated with cancer and other health effects.
EPA issued a final rule in April of 2015 regulating CCR under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and establishing minimum national standards governing the disposal of CCR from electric utilities in landfills and surface impoundments. At the time the CCR rule was issued, EPA did not have authority under RCRA to approve state permit programs for CCR units. Instead, utilities were responsible for directly implementing the requirements of EPA's 2015 CCR rule, which were enforceable only through citizen suits.
Congress recognized the essential role of the states in its passage of the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Among other changes, the Act amended RCRA to provide EPA with authority to approve state permit programs to operate in place of the federal regulations, provided the state requirements meet the federal standards. Applications must provide evidence of permit programs or other systems of prior approval and show that state requirements will be as protective as the federal regulations. Once approved, the state permit programs operate in place of the federal program for CCR disposal.
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-approves-wyomings-coal-combustion-residuals-permit-program-0
Cosmic wonders coming to a Post Office near you
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release:
* * *
Cosmic wonders coming to a Post Office near you
*
WASHINGTON -Today, the U.S. Postal Service released new Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps featuring breathtaking images captured by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (Webb).
The two stamps celebrate America's continued exploration of deep space with extremely high-definition images captured by Webb, which has been revolutionizing our understanding of space since its launch in 2021. More than
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release:
* * *
Cosmic wonders coming to a Post Office near you
*
WASHINGTON -Today, the U.S. Postal Service released new Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps featuring breathtaking images captured by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (Webb).
The two stamps celebrate America's continued exploration of deep space with extremely high-definition images captured by Webb, which has been revolutionizing our understanding of space since its launch in 2021. More thanjust a functional piece of postage, these stamps serve as a reminder of our endless curiosity and our drive to explore the unknown. Whether purchased by space enthusiasts, stamp collectors or casual letter writers, these stamps bring the wonders of the universe a little closer to home.
Crab Nebula
The Crab Nebula, located about 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, is the remnant of a massive star's explosive death. The supernova that created it was so bright that astronomers in China and Japan recorded its appearance in 1054 A.D., describing a "guest star" visible even during daytime for weeks. The remains of that explosion have since expanded into a vast cloud of gas and dust, with a rapidly spinning neutron star -called a pulsar -at its center.
Webb's infrared-sensitive instruments have provided a fresh look at the nebula, revealing previously unseen details of its intricate filaments and glowing clouds. Unlike optical telescopes that capture visible light, Webb detects infrared radiation, allowing it to peer through cosmic dust and unveil structures hidden from view. Its observations of the Crab Nebula offer new insights into how supernova remnants evolve and influence their surroundings, contributing to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles.
This new Priority Mail stamp allows anyone to send a package adorned with one of the most striking images of the cosmos ever captured.
The Crab Nebula stamp costs the same as a Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope, $11.95, and will be issued in a pane of four stamps.
Galaxy Pair
The Galaxy Pair image featured on the 2026 Priority Mail Express stamp showcases two interacting galaxies in exquisite detail, offering valuable insights into the nature of galactic evolution, star formation, and the fundamental forces shaping the cosmos.
Captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in the mid-infrared and Hubble Space Telescope at visible and ultraviolet light, this composite image is the highest resolution view of galaxies IC 2163 and NGC 2207 to date. The smaller galaxy to the left, IC 2163, "slithered" behind the larger one at right, NGC 2207, a few million years ago. The image was captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in mid-infrared and the Hubble Space Telescope in visible and ultraviolet light.
The Galaxy Pair stamp costs the same as a Priority Mail Express Flat-Rate Envelope, $33.25, and will be issued in a pane of four stamps.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed both stamps using photos courtesy of NASA. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtags #CrabNebulaStamp and #GalaxyPairStamp.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, or at select Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. The stories behind the stamps and more are available at stampsforever.com.
The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter ; Instagram ; Pinterest ; Threads ; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.
***
Original text here: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0224-cosmic-wonders-coming-to-a-post-office-near-you.htm
