The Border Trade Alliance urged House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in a Feb. 26 letter, to work with his congressional colleagues to prevent a lapse in appropriations for federal agencies in early March, saying a government shutdown would “exacerbate an already precarious situation at the U.S. southern border.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service released a final rule Feb. 20 to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions established by the final rule take effect March 22.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing a subspecies of silverspot butterfly from Colorado, New Mexico and Utah (Speyeria nokomis nokomis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect March 18.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is listing the queen conch (Aliger gigas) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, it said in a final rule released Feb. 13. While the agency isn't setting import or export restrictions at this time, it said it intends "to propose protective regulations to conserve queen conch throughout its range in the future," including possible import and export prohibitions or restrictions.

The Department of Energy is setting new energy efficiency standards for consumer conventional cooking products, including cooktops, ranges and ovens, it said in a direct final rule released Feb. 13. Compliance with the new standards will be required by Jan. 31, 2028.

The Border Trade Alliance encouraged Republican governors to work with the federal government to "pursue a border that is defined by security and efficient trade." The BTA, in a letter to Republican Governors Association Chairman Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee that was also sent to 24 other Republican governors, said it is specifically worried about "a federal-state standoff that risks disruptions to legitimate cross-border trade and travel."

Lori Wallach, a long-time free-trade skeptic, urged listeners to her Rethink Trade podcast to call their members of Congress and say: "I am scared silly about the abuse of this outrageous de minimis loophole. What is the congressman going to do to close this loophole?"

The Fish and Wildlife Service is increasing civil penalties for violations of the laws and regulations it administers, including the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act, it said in a final rule. The annual increase for inflation raises penalties about 3.2% over those set in 2023, the FWS said.

The FTC is amending EnergyGuide labeling requirements for televisions to update the comparability ranges listed on the labels, the agency said in a final rule released Feb. 1. The final rule takes effect May 2.

The FTC is proposing changes to its EnergyGuide labeling regulations, including new requirements for EnergyGuide labels on air cleaners, clothes dryers, “miscellaneous refrigeration products” and portable electric spas. The proposed rule, released Feb. 1, also would modify existing labels for clothes washers, televisions and “several heating products,” including instantaneous gas water heaters and pool heaters. Under the proposal, manufacturers of some products -- including refrigerator/freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and air conditioners -- no longer would be required to affix an EnergyGuide label to the product itself but could instead ship the label along with the product. The retailer would be responsible for attaching the label. Manufacturers still would have to affix the label for showroom models. Comments are due April 2.