Regulatory Services

The regulatory or rulemaking process is a powerful way to influence the real-world outcomes of laws passed by Congress, and is an important step to ensuring implementation is favorable to our client’s needs. TFG’s regulatory practice is built on a comprehensive understanding of agency policy and rulemaking processes. TFG professionals have been working with, or have served as, senior staff at federal and state agencies for decades. We use this experience to devise and implement innovative solutions and strategies to achieve effective regulatory outcomes for our clients, and, among other things, put you face-to-face with program officers and decision-makers within key agencies to advocate for your interests.

Why Choose TFG?

Develop and submit comments on agency rulemakings, guidance, proposed rules, interim final rules, advisory documents, policy manuals, supplemental proposed rules, and amendatory language
Advocate at federal agencies, the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress
Devise innovative solutions for our client’s regulatory challenges
Track and monitor regulations and policies
Research and analyze agency rules, regulations, policies, and objectives

Case Studies

4F Waiver

TFG worked with the Transportation Corridor Agencies to secure a legislative fix to a 4F regulatory hurdle that prohibited transportation projects funded with federal dollars from having an adverse impact on parks and historic properties. Without the waiver, a multi-billion dollar toll road would have either been stopped in its entirety or incurred significant delays and legal expenses. Working with House and Senate Committees, the Department of Transportation, the Trust for Historic Preservation, and national environmental groups, TFG and its client crafted a provision in federal transportation authorization legislation that permitted an exception to the law when both a park facility and the highway are identified in the same planning process and meant to coexist. The legislative fix avoided construction delays and costly litigation.

Executive Order on FFRMS

In January 2015, the Obama Administration issued Executive Order 13690, which updates the original 1977 Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Executive Order to help reduce the risk and cost of future flood disasters by requiring future federally-funded investments in and around floodplains to adopt higher flood standards. TFG worked to educate its local government clients on the impacts of the Executive Order on their federally-funded projects and ensured Congress and the Administration understood the impacts of the new requirements on local communities. TFG continues to work with clients through the implementation of the Executive Order and will continue to ensure that local governments in the floodplain are not unfairly burdened by the new requirements.

EPA Integrated Planning

TFG has worked on behalf of the TFG-managed Perfect Storm Communities Coalition (PSC) to advocate for a regulatory approach consistent with the Clean Water Act (CWA) that provides local governments the flexibility needed to meet major regulatory challenges in a more cost-effective way. These efforts resulted in the release of EPA's Integrated Planning Framework, which allows a municipality to meet multiple CWA requirements by identifying efficiencies from separate wastewater and stormwater programs and sequencing investments so that the highest priority projects are addressed first, saving municipalities significant time and ratepayer resources. TFG continues to work with PSC to advocate for the codification of EPA Integrated Planning Framework and increased flexibility in meeting CWA obligations.

Services & Issue Areas of Expertise

Transportation

Broadband & Telecommunications

Economic & Community Development/Housing

Environment & Sustainability

Health Care & Social Services

Public Safety

Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Flood Issues

Water Resources

US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos / Tuesday, March 15, 2022

/ Categories: News & Alerts, Legislative, Coronavirus

Bloomberg: Capitol to Begin Phased Reopening March 28 After Covid Closing

Bloomberg Government reports that the U.S. Capitol complex plans to reopen for the first time since its closure in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will begin reopening to small groups of in-person visitors by March, 28th and to the public by Labor Day.

According to Bloomberg: "The reopening plan will ultimately consist of three phases, with a limited opening of the Capitol Visitor Center by May 30 to take place before a potential full opening on Labor Day.

Some business visitors are already allowed in the Capitol, but as of March 28, the cap will be raised to 15 people in one group. Currently the limit is nine people, according to sources. Staff-led tours will be able to start again, although also limited to 15 people at a time.

Students will also be allowed into the Capitol on a limited basis. Eight groups of up to 50 students will be allowed in Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m."

Read the full article here.

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Tags: US Senate US House Washington DC Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic

Latest TFG News

1 May 2024

TFG Grants Welcomes Chris Wagoner as Grants Specialist

Chris brings decades of experience in the public sector and disaster mitigation and response to TFG Grants.

CHICO, CALIF. – The TFG Grants Division is pleased to welcome Chris Wagoner as Grants Specialist. Chris previously worked alongside the firm as a member of the TFG Grants Consultant Network, and the firm is pleased to transition Chris into a full-time position at the firm. Chris brings a wealth of experience having served in the United States Air Force, in academia as a lecturer in History and Political Science at California State University, Chico, and in the public sector in disaster mitigation and response.

Meet a Team Member