EPA refreshes Rhode Island pollution rules list—boring fixes

2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”

The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.

2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines

Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.

2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans

The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!

2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems

The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!

2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance

The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.

2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review

The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.

Previous: 2026-15482, Temporary Exemption From Motor Vehicle Safety and Bumper Standards

This interim final rule amends NHTSA's general exemption regulations to remove language limiting the application of temporary exemptions from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the bumper standard to motor vehicles manufactured on and after the effective date of an exemption, and to align the regulations with the Administrator's statutory discretion to determine the vehicle population covered by a temporary exemption. It also removes the requirement that applications for exemption be submitted in three copies and specifies an electronic means for submission. Though these amendments are effective immediately, to benefit from comments interested parties and the public may have, NHTSA requests that any comments be submitted to the docket for this rule. Following the close of the comment period, NHTSA will publish a final rule responding to any comments received and making any appropriate changes to the interim final rule.

Next: 2026-15525, Clingstone Peach Diversion Program; Amendment of Program Regulations

This interim final rule amends the regulatory requirements for the Clingstone Peach Diversion Program (Program). The Program is voluntary, consists of payments for peach tree removal, and is implemented under clause (3) of section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935, as amended. The Program is expected to reestablish the purchasing power of clingstone peach growers by making payments to such growers to facilitate reductions in peach production capacity. This action will help to align the domestic supply of clingstone peaches with the market demand for those peaches and thus mitigate the economic effects of systemic oversupply. The parameters established herein will ensure that diversion under this Program is not part of a normal tree replacement cycle for orchard rejuvenation. This rule also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's intention to request approval by the Office of Management and Budget of new information collection requirements necessary to implement the Program.