Regulation Digest, Dec. 9

The Environmental Protection agency issued a final rule on benefit-cost analysis of rulemaking activity related to the Clean Air Act. Effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

Community Reinvestment Act

The Comptroller of the Currency issued a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding "CRA evaluation measure benchmarks, retail lending distribution test thresholds, and community development minimums under the general performance standards." Comments due February 2, 2021.

Automated Driving System

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on the development of a framework for Automated Driving System safety. Comments due February 1, 2021.

Arctic Drilling

The Dept. of the Interior issued a proposed rule "to revise its existing regulations for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf." Comments due February 8, 2021.

NEPA Implementation

The Dept. of Energy issued a final rule that updates its National Environmental Policy Act implementation procedures. Effective January 4, 2021.

Wireless Infrastructure

The Federal Communications Commission issued a final rule which "promotes accelerated deployment of 5G and other advanced wireless services by facilitating the collocation of antennas and associated equipment on existing infrastructure while preserving the ability of state and local governments to manage and protect local land-use interests." Effective January 4, 2021.

AI and the Federal Government

President Trump signed Executive Order 13960 encouraging the use of artificial intelligence within agency operations.

The Opinion Section

Former OMB Officials: Joint Statement on Proposed Staff Reclassifications in the Office of Management and Budget

Veronique de Rugy: Slash Regulation. Prioritize Growth.

Cass Sunstein: The FDA’s Slowness on a Covid Vaccine Isn’t the Issue

Megan McArdle: ‘Warp Speed’ for the Coronavirus Vaccine Ended When It Reached U.S. Regulators

Walter Russell Mead: Climate Finance May Foul the Economy

David Coursen: Reversing Rollbacks in the Post Trump-Era is Not Enough

Michael Gerrard: How Biden Can Put the U.S. on a Path to Carbon-Free Electricity

Steven Anderson & Kent Lassman: Time to Rein in Government's Pandemic Overreach — Starting with CDC's Eviction Ban

David Weaver: Social Security Admin. is Preparing to Bar 500,000 Americans from Getting Benefits

Gil Kerlikowske: Better Regulating Cannabis

Brendan Ahern: SEC Proposes Orderly Solution To Avoid Delisting Chinese Companies

Roger Cochetti: The Most Important Internet Issue You've Never Heard of

In the News

Congress & Regulatory Reform

'Reading the tea leaves': The future of OIRA under Biden, E&E News
Trump administration pushes 'midnight regulations' after breaking records for final-year rulemaking, CNN
Senate Approves Trump’s Pick for FCC, Wall Street Journal

Financial Markets & Housing

Whistleblowers Worry SEC’s Interpretation of ‘Independent Analysis’ Could Discourage Tipsters, Wall Street Journal
SEC Approves Plan to Bring More Detailed Stock-Market Data to Public, Wall Street Journal
Top currency regulator says to expect ‘clarity’ in coming weeks on bitcoin, CNBC
China to adopt 'positive and prudent' approach towards fintech regulation, banking regulator says, Reuters

Energy & Environment

Here are the leading candidates to carry out Biden’s climate change plan., New York Times
EPA to Retain Existing Soot Standards After Review, Wall Street Journal
New Trump Rule Would Downgrade Health Benefits in Air Pollution Decisions, New York Times
What the fight over EPA chief says about Democratic divisions, Washington Post

Health & Safety

Head of FDA Advisory Panel Predicts Approval for Pfizer’s Covid-19 Vaccine, Wall Street Journal
A Trump Immigration Policy Is Leaving Families Hungry, New York Times
Canada health regulator approves Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine., Washington Post
E.U. Privacy Rule Would Rein In the Hunt for Online Child Sexual Abuse, New York Times
Vaccine distribution, regulatory rollbacks top 2021 health agenda, The Hill
Trump Immigration Loss: Judge Declares H-1B Visa Rules Unlawful, Forbes

Business

Boeing Makes First 737 MAX Delivery Since Lifting of FAA Ban, Wall Street Journal
Trump-Era Tax Rule Benefiting Some Multinationals May Get Revised Under Biden, Wall Street Journal
U.S. Tech Giants Face Tighter Regulation in Europe, Wall Street Journal
U.S. Supreme Court hears oral argument in case involving when people may challenge IRS regulations, Ballotpedia
Google, Amazon, Microsoft Must Disclose How They Rank Search Results Under New EU Rules, Forbes

Technology

Dawn Aerospace wins license for suborbital flights, Space News

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