QB 23-311 2024 Specialty Sugar Period 2 Results
Commodity:
Specialty Sugar
The tariff rate quota for Specialty Sugar Period 2 opened on Tuesday October 10, 2023 and over-subscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage of 33.96060% or .3396060 was calculated via ACE, a UC message was…
Specialty Sugar
The tariff rate quota for Specialty Sugar Period 2 opened on Tuesday October 10, 2023 and over-subscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage of 33.96060% or .3396060 was calculated via ACE, a UC message was…
EPA Proposes Revising Certain Water Quality Standards for Florida’s Waters
ATLANTA (December 1, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule to establish new and revised federal water quality standards (WQS) for the state of Florida based on the latest scientific knowledge about protecting human health.
“EPA continues to take strong action to ensure that our nation’s waters are safe for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This proposed rule, if finalized, would update water quality standards for Florida’s water bodies to reflect the current science and continue to protect the health of Floridians.”
Under the Clean Water Act, state governments, or EPA, when necessary, set limits (called “human health criteria”) for pollutants in water bodies that pose risks to human health through the consumption of drinking water or locally caught fish and shellfish. EPA is proposing new or revised criteria for a total of 73 priority toxic pollutants.
On December 1, 2022, EPA issued an Administrator’s Determination that Florida’s current standards – last updated in 1992 – do not reflect the latest science or the current habits of Floridians. Since 1992, national and regional data have become available that indicate greater levels of fish consumption, particularly among residents of coastal states like Florida. In addition, Florida does not have human health criteria for 37 pollutants that are likely to be in its waters. New data have become available since 1992 on the specific toxic pollutants that are likely to be present in Florida’s waters, and how those pollutants may impact Florida’s designated uses. EPA’s proposed rule accounts for more recent evidence on fish consumption rates and, as a result, proposes criteria that are more protective of Floridians that consume fish caught in the state.
In addition, EPA’s rule proposes criteria to protect subsistence fishers in and around Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve where Tribes hold reserved rights to fish for subsistence.
The Agency will accept comments on this proposal for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register. EPA will also hold two online public hearings on this proposal. Learn more about the proposed rule and public hearings.
Background
WQS define the water quality goals for a water body and provide a regulatory basis for many actions under the Clean Water Act, including developing water quality-based effluent limits in National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for point-sources; performing Clean Water Act section 401 certifications of federal licenses and permits; and reporting on water quality conditions and designated uses attainment.
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“EPA continues to take strong action to ensure that our nation’s waters are safe for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This proposed rule, if finalized, would update water quality standards for Florida’s water bodies to reflect the current science and continue to protect the health of Floridians.”
Under the Clean Water Act, state governments, or EPA, when necessary, set limits (called “human health criteria”) for pollutants in water bodies that pose risks to human health through the consumption of drinking water or locally caught fish and shellfish. EPA is proposing new or revised criteria for a total of 73 priority toxic pollutants.
On December 1, 2022, EPA issued an Administrator’s Determination that Florida’s current standards – last updated in 1992 – do not reflect the latest science or the current habits of Floridians. Since 1992, national and regional data have become available that indicate greater levels of fish consumption, particularly among residents of coastal states like Florida. In addition, Florida does not have human health criteria for 37 pollutants that are likely to be in its waters. New data have become available since 1992 on the specific toxic pollutants that are likely to be present in Florida’s waters, and how those pollutants may impact Florida’s designated uses. EPA’s proposed rule accounts for more recent evidence on fish consumption rates and, as a result, proposes criteria that are more protective of Floridians that consume fish caught in the state.
In addition, EPA’s rule proposes criteria to protect subsistence fishers in and around Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve where Tribes hold reserved rights to fish for subsistence.
The Agency will accept comments on this proposal for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register. EPA will also hold two online public hearings on this proposal. Learn more about the proposed rule and public hearings.
Background
WQS define the water quality goals for a water body and provide a regulatory basis for many actions under the Clean Water Act, including developing water quality-based effluent limits in National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for point-sources; performing Clean Water Act section 401 certifications of federal licenses and permits; and reporting on water quality conditions and designated uses attainment.
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EPA Proposes Amended Cleanup Plan for the Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site in Woodstock
WOODSTOCK, CONN. (Dec. 1, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing a Proposed Plan for the cleanup of the Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site in Woodstock, Conn. EPA will hold a hybrid informational meeting on the plan on December 11, 2023 and a hybrid public hearing on January 10, 2024.
Informational Meeting: December 11, 2023, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
In-person: Woodstock Middle School Cafeteria, 147B Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281
Public Hearing: January 10, 2023, 7:00 p.m. until all comments are heard.
In-person: Woodstock Middle School Cafeteria, 147B Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281
Find instructions on how to join the meeting virtually at epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
During the informational meeting, EPA will present the results of the investigations conducted at the site, the cleanup options that were evaluated, and the preferred remedial alternative identified in the Proposed Plan. The Proposed Plan presents EPA's proposed changes to the current (ongoing) remedy for the site.
In a 1993 Record of Decision, EPA selected a cleanup plan for the entire site. This remedy required the construction and operation of a groundwater and soil vapor extraction system within the "source area," as well as the extraction and treatment of contaminated groundwater outside the source area (i.e., downgradient areas). Despite 25 years of active site remediation, and evidence that the concentration of contaminants is declining, significant impacts to the soil and groundwater remain. As a result, EPA is proposing to amend the 1993 Record of Decision. The proposed revised remedy includes additional treatment of contaminated soil, as well as modifying the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system. The proposed amended remedy is estimated to cost approximately $11.4 million and is estimated to take approximately one to two years to design and implement.
EPA will be accepting public comments on the Proposed Plan from December 13, 2023 until January 12, 2024. EPA will formally respond to all comments, both written and oral, received during the 30-day comment period in a responsiveness summary which will be part of the formal record. EPA will then release its Amended Record of Decision.
In addition to the informational meeting, the public hearing on January 10, 2023 will be another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amended remedy. All verbal comments will be recorded and become part of the official record.
More Information on the Public Comment Opportunity:
EPA's Proposed Plan for Linemaster Site, its Administrative Record File, as well as other site related documents and other technical documents related to the site, are available for review online at EPA's webpage: epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
The Woodstock Town Hall can be used as an access point for EPA's Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site webpage.
EPA's Records Center is located within EPA's regional office at 5 Post Office Square in Boston, Mass. EPA's Records Center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To make an appointment to view the records at EPA's regional office, please call at (617) 918-1440.
If you would like a copy of the Proposed Plan mailed to you, contact Charlotte Gray at gray.charlotte@epa.gov or (617) 918-1243.
Submit your comments during the 30 day-public comment period on the Proposed Plan no later than midnight January 12, 2024 by mail, hand delivery/courier, or email to:
John Bryant, Remedial Project Manager
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site
U.S. EPA New England
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: 7-MI
Boston, MA 02109
Email: Bryant.John@epa.gov
Phone: (617) 918-1375
If you have questions on the public meeting or comment period, please contact:
Charlotte Gray, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, by email at Gray.Charlotte@epa.gov or by phone at (617) 918-1243.
Background
The 92-acre Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site houses a former manufacturing facility in Woodstock, Conn. that produced electrical and pneumatic foot switches and wiring harnesses. As part of the manufacturing operations, several chemicals were used at the site including trichloroethene (TCE). Due to the remaining contamination from the previous manufacturing operations, the site was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in February of 1990. A cleanup plan for the site was selected in a 1993 Record of Decision. Since then, cleanup activities have included the installation of soil and groundwater treatment systems.
More information
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site Profile Page
Informational Meeting: December 11, 2023, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
In-person: Woodstock Middle School Cafeteria, 147B Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281
Public Hearing: January 10, 2023, 7:00 p.m. until all comments are heard.
In-person: Woodstock Middle School Cafeteria, 147B Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281
Find instructions on how to join the meeting virtually at epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
During the informational meeting, EPA will present the results of the investigations conducted at the site, the cleanup options that were evaluated, and the preferred remedial alternative identified in the Proposed Plan. The Proposed Plan presents EPA's proposed changes to the current (ongoing) remedy for the site.
In a 1993 Record of Decision, EPA selected a cleanup plan for the entire site. This remedy required the construction and operation of a groundwater and soil vapor extraction system within the "source area," as well as the extraction and treatment of contaminated groundwater outside the source area (i.e., downgradient areas). Despite 25 years of active site remediation, and evidence that the concentration of contaminants is declining, significant impacts to the soil and groundwater remain. As a result, EPA is proposing to amend the 1993 Record of Decision. The proposed revised remedy includes additional treatment of contaminated soil, as well as modifying the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system. The proposed amended remedy is estimated to cost approximately $11.4 million and is estimated to take approximately one to two years to design and implement.
EPA will be accepting public comments on the Proposed Plan from December 13, 2023 until January 12, 2024. EPA will formally respond to all comments, both written and oral, received during the 30-day comment period in a responsiveness summary which will be part of the formal record. EPA will then release its Amended Record of Decision.
In addition to the informational meeting, the public hearing on January 10, 2023 will be another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amended remedy. All verbal comments will be recorded and become part of the official record.
More Information on the Public Comment Opportunity:
EPA's Proposed Plan for Linemaster Site, its Administrative Record File, as well as other site related documents and other technical documents related to the site, are available for review online at EPA's webpage: epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
The Woodstock Town Hall can be used as an access point for EPA's Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site webpage.
EPA's Records Center is located within EPA's regional office at 5 Post Office Square in Boston, Mass. EPA's Records Center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To make an appointment to view the records at EPA's regional office, please call at (617) 918-1440.
If you would like a copy of the Proposed Plan mailed to you, contact Charlotte Gray at gray.charlotte@epa.gov or (617) 918-1243.
Submit your comments during the 30 day-public comment period on the Proposed Plan no later than midnight January 12, 2024 by mail, hand delivery/courier, or email to:
John Bryant, Remedial Project Manager
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site
U.S. EPA New England
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: 7-MI
Boston, MA 02109
Email: Bryant.John@epa.gov
Phone: (617) 918-1375
If you have questions on the public meeting or comment period, please contact:
Charlotte Gray, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, by email at Gray.Charlotte@epa.gov or by phone at (617) 918-1243.
Background
The 92-acre Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site houses a former manufacturing facility in Woodstock, Conn. that produced electrical and pneumatic foot switches and wiring harnesses. As part of the manufacturing operations, several chemicals were used at the site including trichloroethene (TCE). Due to the remaining contamination from the previous manufacturing operations, the site was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in February of 1990. A cleanup plan for the site was selected in a 1993 Record of Decision. Since then, cleanup activities have included the installation of soil and groundwater treatment systems.
More information
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site Profile Page
EPA Takes Action to Protect People from PFAS that Leach from Plastic Containers into Pesticides and Other Products
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued orders to Inhance Technologies LLC (Inhance) directing it not to produce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals that are created in the production of its fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers. This action, taken under the authority of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), will help protect the public from exposure to dangerous PFAS chemicals in containers used for a variety of household consumer, pesticide, fuel, automotive and other industrial products.
“PFAS should not be in the plastic containers people use every day, period,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “EPA’s action today is one more way we are furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s Strategic Roadmap to combat PFAS pollution.”
Long-chain PFAS chemicals build up in our bodies and the environment over time. Even small amounts can significantly contribute to people’s long-term exposure and health risk. People may be exposed to these PFAS through their drinking water, fish they eat from PFAS-contaminated waters, and through groundwater that has been contaminated by PFAS. Centers for Disease Control and other data show that nearly 100% of people tested have at least one of seven of the types of PFAS that Inhance manufactures in their blood already. Even without further exposure, it would take more than a decade for PFOA from a single exposure, one of the types of PFAS manufactured by Inhance, to leave people’s bodies.
In 2019, the drinking water used by the town of Easton, Massachusetts, tested positive for PFOA. A local waterbody was later tested and PFAS was found that was traced back to a mosquitocide used by state officials. In September 2020, EPA was made aware of this PFAS contamination in the mosquitocide. EPA scientists then determined that the PFAS found in the mosquitocide came from the fluorinated HDPE plastic container used to store the product, which was manufactured by Inhance. EPA determined that when Inhance fluorinates containers, it manufactures many types of PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). EPA announced in March 2021 that these PFAS can migrate into liquid products like pesticides and can continue migrating over time.
In March 2022, EPA issued a Notice of Violation to Inhance for its failure to notify the Agency before it began manufacturing PFAS. Inhance had five years from the proposal of EPA’s long-chain PFAS significant new use rule in 2015 to when it was finalized in 2020 to inform EPA that it was manufacturing long-chain PFAS as part of its process. Following this notice, EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) engaged with Inhance to determine if Inhance had ceased manufacture of the regulated PFAS. Upon determining that Inhance was still manufacturing the regulated PFAS and intended to continue to engage in its fluorination process, OECA referred enforcement to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and DOJ filed suit on behalf of EPA against Inhance in December 2022. Only after these actions did Inhance submit significant new use notices (SNUNs) for the nine PFAS it manufactures to EPA for review on Dec. 30, 2022.
Inhance has historically fluorinated up to 200 million containers annually, which is more containers than there are households in America. The release of 2.2 Kg of these 9 PFAS could cause significant contamination of drinking water supplies leading to risks of adverse health effects in millions of people. For example, EPA recently proposed a Maximum Contaminant Level of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA in drinking water. Additionally, EPA has also proposed that there is no level of PFOA in drinking water that is without risk of adverse health effects. If 2.2 Kg of PFOA were released to drinking water sources, it would contaminate more than 145 billion gallons of water to levels that would exceed this proposed enforceable level. This corresponds to almost three years’ worth of water use in the City of New Orleans.
Upon review of the SNUNs and consistent with the Framework for Addressing New PFAS and New Uses of PFAS, EPA has determined that three of the PFAS (PFOA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)) are highly toxic and present unreasonable risks that cannot be prevented other than through prohibition of manufacture. Therefore, under TSCA section 5(f), EPA is prohibiting the continued manufacture of PFOA, PFNA and PFDA that are produced from the fluorination of HDPE. EPA also determined that the remaining six of the nine PFAS chemicals manufactured by Inhance may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment and, under TSCA section 5(e), is requiring the company to cease manufacture of these chemicals, and to perform additional testing if it intends to restart production. However, Inhance’s current fluorination process for plastics produces all nine of the PFAS chemicals subject to these orders simultaneously, including PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA. Thus, the production of the other six PFAS could not restart so long as the fluorination process continues to produce PFOA, PFNA and PFDA. These orders become effective February 28, 2024.
Alternatives to this fluorination process exist that will allow for many sectors to continue to provide products with the necessary protective packaging. Additionally, EPA understands that Inhance is working on changes to its process with a stated goal of eliminating all PFAS production.
As always, EPA will review options for ensuring compliance with the orders, consistent with its enforcement policies, either through further litigation or an appropriate settlement. EPA also notes that TSCA provides waivers for national defense purposes.
“PFAS should not be in the plastic containers people use every day, period,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “EPA’s action today is one more way we are furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s Strategic Roadmap to combat PFAS pollution.”
Long-chain PFAS chemicals build up in our bodies and the environment over time. Even small amounts can significantly contribute to people’s long-term exposure and health risk. People may be exposed to these PFAS through their drinking water, fish they eat from PFAS-contaminated waters, and through groundwater that has been contaminated by PFAS. Centers for Disease Control and other data show that nearly 100% of people tested have at least one of seven of the types of PFAS that Inhance manufactures in their blood already. Even without further exposure, it would take more than a decade for PFOA from a single exposure, one of the types of PFAS manufactured by Inhance, to leave people’s bodies.
In 2019, the drinking water used by the town of Easton, Massachusetts, tested positive for PFOA. A local waterbody was later tested and PFAS was found that was traced back to a mosquitocide used by state officials. In September 2020, EPA was made aware of this PFAS contamination in the mosquitocide. EPA scientists then determined that the PFAS found in the mosquitocide came from the fluorinated HDPE plastic container used to store the product, which was manufactured by Inhance. EPA determined that when Inhance fluorinates containers, it manufactures many types of PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). EPA announced in March 2021 that these PFAS can migrate into liquid products like pesticides and can continue migrating over time.
In March 2022, EPA issued a Notice of Violation to Inhance for its failure to notify the Agency before it began manufacturing PFAS. Inhance had five years from the proposal of EPA’s long-chain PFAS significant new use rule in 2015 to when it was finalized in 2020 to inform EPA that it was manufacturing long-chain PFAS as part of its process. Following this notice, EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) engaged with Inhance to determine if Inhance had ceased manufacture of the regulated PFAS. Upon determining that Inhance was still manufacturing the regulated PFAS and intended to continue to engage in its fluorination process, OECA referred enforcement to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and DOJ filed suit on behalf of EPA against Inhance in December 2022. Only after these actions did Inhance submit significant new use notices (SNUNs) for the nine PFAS it manufactures to EPA for review on Dec. 30, 2022.
Inhance has historically fluorinated up to 200 million containers annually, which is more containers than there are households in America. The release of 2.2 Kg of these 9 PFAS could cause significant contamination of drinking water supplies leading to risks of adverse health effects in millions of people. For example, EPA recently proposed a Maximum Contaminant Level of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA in drinking water. Additionally, EPA has also proposed that there is no level of PFOA in drinking water that is without risk of adverse health effects. If 2.2 Kg of PFOA were released to drinking water sources, it would contaminate more than 145 billion gallons of water to levels that would exceed this proposed enforceable level. This corresponds to almost three years’ worth of water use in the City of New Orleans.
Upon review of the SNUNs and consistent with the Framework for Addressing New PFAS and New Uses of PFAS, EPA has determined that three of the PFAS (PFOA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)) are highly toxic and present unreasonable risks that cannot be prevented other than through prohibition of manufacture. Therefore, under TSCA section 5(f), EPA is prohibiting the continued manufacture of PFOA, PFNA and PFDA that are produced from the fluorination of HDPE. EPA also determined that the remaining six of the nine PFAS chemicals manufactured by Inhance may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment and, under TSCA section 5(e), is requiring the company to cease manufacture of these chemicals, and to perform additional testing if it intends to restart production. However, Inhance’s current fluorination process for plastics produces all nine of the PFAS chemicals subject to these orders simultaneously, including PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA. Thus, the production of the other six PFAS could not restart so long as the fluorination process continues to produce PFOA, PFNA and PFDA. These orders become effective February 28, 2024.
Alternatives to this fluorination process exist that will allow for many sectors to continue to provide products with the necessary protective packaging. Additionally, EPA understands that Inhance is working on changes to its process with a stated goal of eliminating all PFAS production.
As always, EPA will review options for ensuring compliance with the orders, consistent with its enforcement policies, either through further litigation or an appropriate settlement. EPA also notes that TSCA provides waivers for national defense purposes.
Global liner performance unchanged in October, but USWC ticked higher
While container volumes have largely returned to normal historical levels, ocean carriers still have not been able to restore performance to pre-pandemic levels.
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the 2023 Farm Sector Income Forecast
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2023 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released its annual Farm Sector Income Forecast report for 2023. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement:
USDA Provides $208 Million to Help Prevent Guaranteed Borrower Foreclosures and to Assist Emergency Loan Borrowers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it is providing approximately $208 million in automatic financial assistance for qualifying farm and emergency loan borrowers. This announcement is made possible by $3.1 billion in assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers provided in Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act, an important part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
QB 24-315 2024 Raw Sugar Reallocations
Commodity:
Raw Cane Sugar as provided for in Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5
Quota Period:
October 2, 2023, through September 30, 2024
Reference:
QB 23-305
Background:
USTR announced in the Federal Register Notice Volume 88, No.229…
Raw Cane Sugar as provided for in Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5
Quota Period:
October 2, 2023, through September 30, 2024
Reference:
QB 23-305
Background:
USTR announced in the Federal Register Notice Volume 88, No.229…