Call To Action: Submit Comments to DOE by June 16!

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will issue a direct final rule eliminating Section 504 regulations for entities that receive funding from that federal agency.

The Department of Energy is not engaging in the typical rulemaking procedure, so time is of the essence. The change will take effect July 15 unless “significant adverse comments” are received by Monday, June 16.

While this action does not affect the entirety of programs funded by the federal government, it could be the first of many.

The 504 regulations state that buildings constructed or altered after June 13, 1980 that house programs that receive federal financial assistance must be “readily accessible to and useable by handicapped persons.” In order to be considered accessible, buildings have to meet the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.

DOE is calling this requirement is “unnecessary and unduly burdensome.”

The DOE announcement states, “It is DOE’s policy to give private entities flexibility to comply with the law in the manner they deem most efficient. One-size-fits-all rules are rarely the best option. Accordingly, DOE finds good reason to eliminate this regulatory provision.”

Read more at the links below and submit your comments by June 16, 2025!