ADVANCED NUCLEAR
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Construction and Demonstration of a Prototype Advanced Mobile Nuclear Microreactor
Department of Defense | 3/2/2020
Public Scoping Meeting for Construction and Demonstration of a Prototype Advanced Mobile Nuclear Microreactor Will Be Virtual Due to Coronavirus.
Evolving health and safety policies from Federal and state health agencies designed to hinder the spread of COVID-19 have prompted officials to replace an in-person mobile power-generation public scoping meeting with a virtual presentation.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), acting through the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) and in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as industry partners, is exploring modern design concepts and cutting-edge technology developed by industry to meet warfighter mobile power-generation needs. The DOD is considering
the development of a prototype advanced mobile nuclear microreactor to support DOD domestic energy demands, DOD operational and mission energy demands, and Defense Support to Civil Authorities mission capabilities. SCO invites public comment on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) during a 30-day comment period from March 2, 2020 to April 1, 2020. The Notice of Intent is available for viewing online at https://www.federalregister.gov/ and https://www.cto.mil/pele_eis/.
SCO will host a virtual presentation to provide information about the proposed project and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and to invite public comments on the scope of the EIS.
The previously scheduled public meeting for Wednesday, March 18, 2020, is cancelled. The virtual presentation will be available for viewing at 7 p.m. EST, March 18 at: https://www.cto.mil/pele_eis/.
Comments on the scope of the EIS may be submitted by email or in written form. Comments will be accepted via email to: PELE_NEPA@sco.mil
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NACo COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID-19 Updates from NACo
National Association of Counties | 3/16/2020
In the interest of brevity, below is a brief recap of the activities and updates from the National Association of Counties related to COVID-19.
1. NACo Coronavirus Resource Page - https://www.naco.org/resources/coronavirus:
2. Federal Advocacy – In addition to the 1st and 2nd congressional supplemental aid packages, NACo is working with Congress, White House and others on a third package and other pressing policy, funding and practice guidance issues:
- Deployment of testing equipment, including extra staffing and expertise assistance for counties
- Access and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment for essential county service providers
- FEMA instructions and clarification on how counties access and document eligible costs and activities for FEMA Disaster Relief Fund for public assistance – THIS IS THE PRIMARY FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FUND FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
- Urging Congress to allocate additional funding for county and local public health preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery – beyond the first batch of $950M for state and local public health response contained in the 1st supplemental aid package through HHS/CDC
- Clarification of language in the 2nd congressional supplemental bill for paid leave requirements – currently pending in the U.S. Senate.
- Under current law, state and local government employers pay payroll taxes under 26 USC 3111 of (a) 6.2% of wages (i.e. Social Security) and the (b) hospital insurance (i.e. Medicare) of 1.45%
- As currently written, H.R. 6201 imposes substantial new sick leave and family medical leave requirements on government employers of all sizes
- Section 7001 (Payroll Credit for Required Paid Sick Leave) and Section 7003 (Payroll Credit for Required Paid Family Leave) provide credits against payroll taxes to offset the cost of these mandates for some employers.
- H.R. 6201 Sec. 7001(d)(4) and Sec. 7003(d)(4) specifically prohibit state and local governments from benefiting from both credits. We are currently working with Congress and U.S. Treasury to understand the intent, impact and context for this policy proposal.
- State and local government employers may stand to be significantly impacted. We are exploring options to strike Section 7001(d)(4) and Section 7003(d)(4) from H.R. 6201 and insert language to clarify that state and local government employers fully qualify for both credits
- Senate coalition working to ensure USDA, Interior and other federal agency personnel may assist rural counties and municipalities with COVID-19 preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery activities
- Rollout of various federal executive orders and regulatory waivers across the full spectrum of federal departments and agencies
3. County Practical Issues:
a. How to develop and implement enhanced surge capacity for county public health providers including nearly 1,000 county-supported hospitals and clinics, more than 600 county long-term care facilities, nearly 3,000 county jails and more than 1,900 county/local public health departments and authorities
b. How to support new and/or expanded childcare and other support systems for county first responders and other essential county personnel required to serve the local community
c. How to assist with county government decision-making with core county operations, from public health to behavioral health to court system and jail management to waste management and recycling to elections to essential county record keeping that support the general economy (I.e. building permits and mortgage closings)
LEGISLATIVE
Keeping NDAA Moving
Politico | 3/17/2020
Rep. Adam Smith and Sen. Jim Inhofe believe they can keep the annual National Defense Authorization Act on track in the armed services committees, even amid the coronavirus outbreak, our colleague Connor O'Brien reports.
The full House Armed Services Committee plans to mark up its bill on April 30. The Senate panel will likely consider its version of the NDAA during the week of May 18. And both Smith and Inhofe aim for an earlier start to conference negotiations than last year.
But that doesn’t mean other problems can’t crop up. That includes a volatile schedule and witnesses who can’t show due to public health issues.
NATIONAL LABS
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