New regs for Thursday: Pilots, truck drivers, child labor

Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for carbon emissions at existing power plants, truck drivers who are pressured to drive long hours, pilots who are 60 years or older, and efforts to fight back against child labor in foreign countries.

Here’s what is happening.

Emissions: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering how it will measure carbon emissions as part of the existing source performance standards for power plants. 

The EPA’s controversial climate rule proposed in June would cut carbon emissions at existing power plants. But the agency is still considering how it will measure compliance. 

The agency released a notice Wednesday with potential approaches it could use to measure carbon emissions reduction at existing power plants. 

“To set these goals, the EPA analyzed practical and affordable strategies that states and utilities are already using to lower carbon pollution from the power sector,” the agency wrote.

The public has until Dec. 1 to comment on the rule.

Wool: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering new rules for the manufacturers of mineral wool and wool fiberglass, which can be used for insulation and soundproofing in rooms.

“The mineral wool production source category is any facility engaged in producing mineral wool fiber from slag, rock or other materials, excluding sand or glass,” the agency wrote. “The wool fiberglass manufacturing source category is any facility 

engaged in the manufacture of wool fiberglass on a rotary spin manufacturing line or on a flame attenuation manufacturing line.”

The public has 30 days to comment.

Airplanes: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is loosening the rules for elderly pilots.

Pilots who are 60 years or older will no longer be required to fly with a second pilot who is younger on international flights in a change to what is known as the pilot pairing requirement.

The changes go into effect on Nov. 13.

Truck drivers: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is investigating whether trucking companies are harassing their drivers to work longer hours.

This comes in response to a FMCSA rule proposed in March that would require truck drivers to record their hours electronically. The agency is looking into whether trucking companies use this information to harass drivers.

The public has 30 days to comment.

Child labor: The Department of Labor is looking into child labor abuses overseas.

The Labor Department recently released a report examining the progress foreign countries made in reducing the worst forms of child labor around the world and offering advice on how these countries can eliminate the practice.

The Labor Department is now seeking feedback on the report. The public has until Jan. 15, 2015 to comment.