Veterans who wish to be buried with the least environmental impact now have a new option. Three of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries opened what they call green burial sections last month. Green burials are possible for both cremated and intact remains. The Federal Drive got details now from VA's executive director of cemetery operations, Lisa Pozzebon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump vows to revisiting plans to privatize the Postal Service. It’s a first term-goal that didn’t go far, with pushback from unions and Congress. But House Republicans, especially that Department of Government Efficiency caucus, are on board with these plans. Federal News Network’s Jory Heckman has more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cyber policy gurus are urging the incoming Trump administration to elevate the role of the White House Office of the National Cyber Director. The three-year-old office has led some real cybersecurity strategy initiatives. But outside observers say it could be more involved in responding to major cyber incidents. Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday has the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's episode of the Federal Drive with Tom Temin: The Navy has trouble keeping its amphibious ships in working order VA responds to veterans' demands for green internment How the Trump administration is likely to deal with artificial intelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's episode of The Federal Drive with Tom Temin: Congress is really close to final repeal of Social Security limitations on government retirees The Energy Department has new information on green fuel for airplanes Contractors prepare for really, really late 2025 appropriations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The General Services Administration has been making steady award progress on two signature, multi-award contracts. Even as Polaris II and Oasis-Plus move along, agency appropriations for 2025 look like they'll be delayed until April, halfway through the fiscal year. For his take on the implications, federal sales and marketing consultant Larry Allen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's so close, those in favor can practically taste it. The statutory ending of the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset. WEP and GPO have reduced Social Security benefits for thousands of state and local government employees and certain federal ones. An update on this and other matters from the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association's John Hatton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Energy Department says industry is surpassing goals for production of so-called sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. That aided by loan guarantees amounting to billions for companies to increase their capacity to make lower carbon jet fuel. Joining the Federal Drive with a progress report, the director of Energy's Office of Technology Transitions, also the chief commercialization officer Vanessa Chan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Army’s is out with the latest version of its characteristics of need for its next generation command and control initiative. Released last week, the characteristics of need points to a multi-year effort to update and standardize command and control across the Army. For more, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller caught up with , the program executive officer for command, control communications and networks, Mark Kitz, and with , the director of the command and control cross functional team, Major General Patrick Ellis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal employee engagement reached an all-time high this year. That’s according to the results of the 2024 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, or FEVS. Now, that 71% engagement score is a governmentwide average. Now, specific results, down to the individual agencies, are available. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman joined the Federal Drive for some of those numbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices