Cities have become a critical source of innovation across a wide array of policy areas that advance inclusion, equitable opportunity, and social justice. In the absence of state and federal action, cities and other local governments have taken the lead in enacting minimum wage and paid sick leave policies, expanding the boundaries of civil rights, tackling public health challenges, responding to emerging environmental threats, and advancing new technologies.
Cooperative federalism can lead to more efficient and pragmatic environmental protection, and allow states to develop effective programs tailored to their needs and resources. Nevertheless, the future of the federal-state relationship in the environmental context is uncertain as state and federal priorities come into conflict: for instance, EPA’s proposal to revoke California’s authority to regulate tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases. Recent reports have begun a discussion on the future of cooperative federalism and environmental protection, but significant questions remain unanswered.
EPA proposed to strengthen the transparency of EPA regulatory science by requiring the Agency to ensure that scientific data pivotal to the regulatory action being taken are publicly available in a manner sufficient for independent validation.
On November 4, 2016, DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division convened an extraordinary group of legal scholars and practitioners to discuss “The Future of Environmental Law.” Speaking before the presidential election but mindful of the transition possibilities, the symposium panelists identified and discussed cutting-edge issues in administrative law, natural resources law, and environmental enforcement that will be crucial going forward for both government lawyers and the environmental law profession as a whole.
EPA proposed withdrawal of amendments to its nondiscrimination regulation regarding compliance information requirements for recipients of EPA financial assistance and Agency Compliance Procedures, as well as a technical correction to the reference to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The president issued Proclamation No. 9475, recognizing August 25, 2016, as the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service.
The president issued Executive Order No. 13737 on August 12, 2016, establishing an order of succession for situations in which the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator of EPA have died, resigned, or become otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Administrator.
The president proclaimed April 22, 2016, as Earth Day.
The federal agencies issued their semiannual regulatory agendas to update the public about regulations and major policies currently under development, reviews of existing regulations and major policies, and rules and major policymakings completed or canceled since the last agenda. EPA's agenda can be found at 80 FR 35081.
The federal agencies issued their semiannual regulatory agendas providing specific information on the status of regulations under development and revision. Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed since the summer 2013 agenda. EPA’s agenda can be found at 79 FR 1216.