New regs for Friday: Deaf telephone service

{mosads}The new rules affect how users of the program can select their provider, make it easier to use the service with various devices and are intended to drive down costs. 

Additionally, the FCC is proposing to transition to a “market-based compensation methodology” for the service, as well as other changes. 

In a separate proposal, the agency is gathering public comment on a service that provides audio description of onscreen video activity for people who are blind or visually impaired. The comments will help complete a report that will be sent to Congress next year.

Border control:

Under a new rule, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will prevent costumer devices and industrial equipment from entering the country unless it meets the energy conservation and labeling standards of a 1975 law. 

The regulation was called for by a portion of the law, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

The Department of Energy is also proposing to extend the law’s regulations to portable air conditioners. 

Fishing:

The National Marine Fisheries Service is halting fishing for dusky rockfish and northern rockfish in a region off of Alaska to prevent overfishing.