On April 2, 2015, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service published its final listing and interim 4(d) rule that designate the Northern Long-Eared Bat as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act. This is partial retreat from a previous notice that proposed listing the species as an Endangered Species. The interim rule incoporates restrictions on both purposeful and incidental bat takes that will become effective as to both current and new operations on May 4, 2015.
The success of PPGMR client Strong Suit Clothing, LLC, was recently highlighted by Arkansas Business. Strong Suit, which aims to provide suiting for new buyers between the ages of 25 and 35, can currently be found in approximately 30 specialty stores around the country. After raising an impressive $1 million dollars in investments, Strong Suit will be coming to Nordstrom stores in Dallas, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and Nashville as well as the Nordstrom website in September 2015.
Startup Junkie Consulting of Fayetteville will host a new business-plan competition focusing on developing innovative ideas that could affect the lives of women.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched "InnovateHER: 2015 Innovating for Women Business Challenge Business Competition" with $30,000 in prize money up for grabs.
The SBA is looking for "innovative products and services that help impact and empower women’s lives as they navigate the challenges of a changing work and family life," according to a news release.
Startup Picasolar of Fayetteville has been named a finalist for the 2015 Edison Awards, which recognize innovation in the global economy. Picasolar CEO Douglas Hutchings says the recognition means Picasolar will receive either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award when the honorees are announced on April 23 in New York. "The Edison Award highlights the innovative nature of our technology, and it's an honor for our team's accomplishments to be highlighted at this level," he said. (Innovate Arkansas)
On November 13, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized its greenhouse gas reporting rule. The rule, which will go into effect on January 1, 2015, includes revised monitoring and data disclosure requirements for the petroleum and natural gas industry. In particular, the final rule clarifies the emission sources that must provide greenhouse gas reports as including engines, boilers, heaters, flares, and separation and processing equipment. Covered sources are directed to provide separate reports for methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide emissions in addition to reporting cumulative emissions for all greenhouse gases in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The rule allows the use of either actual gas composition or a default for natural gas transmission and compression, underground natural gas storage, liquefied natural gas storage, liquefied natural gas import and export, and natural gas distribution facilities.
