Coast Guard, FAA, DOE, and STB Issue Suite of Infrastructure and Safety Rules

Coast Guard Safety Zones for July 4 Fireworks

The Coast Guard, acting under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, is establishing two temporary safety zones for navigable waters in the Delaware Bay region ahead of Independence Day fireworks events, both issued without prior notice and comment under the good-cause exception in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).

The first zone covers all navigable waters of the Delaware River within 300 yards of a barge near Pleasant Hill Park in Philadelphia, PA, at approximate position latitude 40°2'22'' N, longitude 074°59'22.67'' W. The rule is effective from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 2026. The Coast Guard received notification of the barge-based fireworks display on April 11, 2026, and the Captain of the Port (COTP) Delaware Bay determined that potential hazards associated with fireworks present a safety concern for anyone within 300 yards of the display. Entry of vessels or persons into the zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the COTP or their designated representative. The Coast Guard found that it did not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments and publish a final rule by July 4, the date of the event, justifying issuance without an NPRM. The rule amends 33 CFR 165.

The second zone covers all navigable waters of the Toms River within 250 yards of the fireworks launch location at Mayo Park in Beachwood, NJ, at approximate position 39°56'29.25'' N, 74°10'57.78'' W. The rule is effective from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2026, to 10 p.m. on July 5, 2026, but will only be enforced from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4, 2026, or during those hours on a rain date of July 5, 2026. The Coast Guard received notification of this land-based display on March 17, 2026. The COTP determined that potential hazards, such as being hit by falling debris or unexploded live fireworks, are a safety concern for anyone within 250 yards. As with the Philadelphia zone, the agency cited insufficient time between notification and the event date as grounds for bypassing the standard notice-and-comment process. This rule also amends 33 CFR 165.

FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for Bell 505 Helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters, under 14 CFR 39, prompted by reports that identification plates affixed to certain tail cone assemblies contain an incorrect part number (P/N). The proposed AD was initiated following Transport Canada AD CF-2026-01, dated January 26, 2026, which the FAA is proposing to incorporate by reference in any final rule.

According to the document, the tail cone assembly is subject to a life limit published in the Airworthiness Limitations Schedule. The MCAI states that the affected assemblies — P/N SLS-030-600-007 and P/N SLS-030-600-009 — mistakenly contain an incorrect P/N on their identification plates. If the part number on the identification plate remains uncorrected, the document states it could be incorrectly determined that the tail cone assembly has an unlimited airworthiness life. If the tail cone assembly is not replaced because of the incorrect identification plate, the document warns it could lead to fatigue cracking of the tailboom and loss of control of the helicopter.

The proposed AD would require operators to verify the tail cone assembly part number and, if necessary, replace the incorrect identification plate with a new one containing the correct P/N, and update the existing log card or equivalent record for the helicopter. The FAA notes that these products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States, and that the FAA is acting pursuant to its bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority. Comments on the NPRM, filed under Docket No. FAA-2026-4658, must be received by the FAA by August 6, 2026.

DOE Finalizes Streamlined Electricity Export Authorization Rule

The Department of Energy is finalizing a rule to simplify the application process for authorizations to transmit electric energy to a foreign country, as required by the Federal Power Act (FPA). The final rule takes effect July 22, 2026, and amends 10 CFR 205. The rule is designated as economically significant.

The rulemaking originated with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on May 16, 2025 (90 FR 20826), which proposed to amend the application process codified at 10 CFR 205.300 through 10 CFR 205.309 by removing §§ 205.301 through 205.309 and modifying the language of § 205.300. The document notes that the NPRM was issued by DOE's legacy Grid Deployment Office, but that the Department has recently undergone a reorganization and the rulemaking is now being issued by DOE's Office of Electricity. The document also corrects a citation error from the NPRM, noting the correct statutory citation is 16 U.S.C. 824a(e), not 16 U.S.C. 824(e) as previously cited.

DOE received four comments in response to the NPRM: one in support and three opposing. The International Energy Credit Association (IECA) supported the amendment, stating it will "excise unnecessary and burdensome information requirements," strictly adhere to Congress' intent under section 202(e) of the FPA, and remove compliance risks for applicants seeking renewal. IECA also stated the amendment will "aid in improving economic efficiency, competition in the electric energy markets, lower electric energy prices, and drive the least-cost dispatch of electric energy across the grid." DOE acknowledged IECA's recommendation that it publish guidelines for applicants and stated it intends to publish supplemental materials outside of the Code of Federal Regulations to assist prospective applicants. DOE stated it will consider IECA's recommendation regarding the effect of renewal submissions at a later time, but noted it is currently obliged to abide by authorization expiration dates. Three commenters — Public Citizen, Inc., the Center for Biological Diversity, and an individual — opposed the proposed amendments.

Surface Transportation Board Adopts Q3 2026 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor

The Surface Transportation Board has adopted the third quarter 2026 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads, with an applicability date of July 1, 2026. The RCAF is an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation's largest railroads over a specified period of time; the Board is required by law to publish the RCAF on at least a quarterly basis.

The Association of American Railroads computes three types of RCAF figures each quarter and submits them to the Board for approval. For the third quarter of 2026, the Board adopted the following figures: the RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.096; the RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.417; and the RCAF-5 is 0.396. The decision was made on June 16, 2026, by Board Members Fuchs, Hedlund, Kloster, and Schultz.

What to Watch

• July 1, 2026 — Third quarter 2026 RCAF figures take effect for the nation's largest railroads.
• July 4, 2026 — Coast Guard safety zones enforced on the Delaware River near Philadelphia (9–9:30 p.m.) and on the Toms River near Beachwood, NJ (9–10 p.m.), with a rain date of July 5 for the Beachwood zone.
• July 22, 2026 — DOE final rule simplifying the electricity export authorization application process becomes effective.
• August 6, 2026 — Deadline for public comments on the FAA's proposed airworthiness directive for Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters.