New regs for Tuesday: Flood insurance, air conditioners, fishermen

Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new flood insurance regulations, energy conservation standards for air conditioners, and annual catch limits for fishermen.

Here’s what is happening:

Efficiency: The Department of Energy is moving forward with new energy conservation standards for certain air conditioners.

The efficiency rules from the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will apply to packaged terminal air conditioners. The agency was also looking at new requirements for packaged terminal heat pumps, but decided they are “not economically justified.”

The rule goes into effect in 60 days.

Flood insurance: Financial agencies are moving forward with new flood insurance regulations.

The Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Farm Credit Administration, and National Credit Union Administration are updating their rules for loans in areas with special flood hazards.

The rules will implement provisions of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, including “the escrow of flood insurance payments on residential improved real estate securing a loan.”

The rules go into effect between Oct. 1, 2015 and Jan. 1, 2016.

Conservation: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing new conservation practice standards.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is looking to update the National Handbook of Conservation Practices. 

The public has 30 days to comment.

Fishing: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing new annual catch limits for fishermen.

The catch limits would apply to Pacific Island bottomfish, crustacean, and precious coral. The rules would include accountability measures.

“The proposed catch limits and accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands,” the agency wrote.

The public has 15 days to comment.