The Fish and Wildlife Service is temporarily listing the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei), a lizard species from Indonesia, as an endangered species, it said in a Federal Register notice. This temporary rule, made as an emergency action, is effective from Dec. 26 to Aug. 25, 2025. "Due to overcollection for the international pet trade and deforestation, there is a significant risk to the well-being of the species," thus warranting the emergency listing under the Endangered Species Act, FWS said in the notice.

The Department of Energy has issued a final rule that amends energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, it said in a notice.

The Department of Energy is amending its energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, it said in a final rule released Dec. 20. Specifically, the agency is increasing minimum required efficiency standards for non-display doors for walk-in freezers and coolers, as well as for refrigeration systems for walk-in freezers and coolers. DOE isn't amending its standards for display doors or panels. The compliance with the changes for non-display doors is required beginning Dec. 23, 2027, and for refrigeration systems, beginning Dec. 31, 2028.

Advocacy groups are divided on two nominees to fill vacancies on the U.S. International Trade Commission, with the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) leading a coalition of supporters and the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) calling the process "rushed."

The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, according to a notice. Comments on the proposed rulemaking, which includes a 4(d) rule that would require a permit for import and export, are due by March 12.

The U.S. warned World Trade Organization members this week against adjudicating national security matters, saying in a communication that they should instead bring a "non-violation claim" that would allow for the rebalancing of trade concessions and avoid "dragging" members into debates over political issues.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has added three butterfly species from Brazil to the agency's endangered species list, according to a notice. FWS determined that the butterfly species -- the Fluminense swallowtail (Parides ascanius), Harris’ mimic swallowtail (Eurytides [Mimoides] lysithous harrisianus) and Hahnel’s Amazonian swallowtail (Parides hahneli) -- should be extended protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This change is effective in a final rule Jan. 9.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the Penasco least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus atristriatus) of New Mexico an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, according to a notice. The final rule declaring the designation is effective Jan. 9.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the swale paintbrush (Castilleja ornata) an endangered species, according to a notice in the Federal Register. The dwale paintbrush, a flowering plant, can be found in New Mexico as well as the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Durango. The rule is effective Jan. 6.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list all species of giraffes as endangered or threatened, following a 12-month study on the issue, it said in a notice.