WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 -- A public comment letter addressed to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has sparked concerns over the potential risks associated with the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The letter, from Blue Spark Strategies LLC, a California-based ocean policy consulting firm, outlines significant apprehensions regarding the proposed program's impact on coastal communities and the ocean economy. In the letter, the organization highlights that ap more ST

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 -- The City of Coral Springs, Florida, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management articulating strong opposition to new oil and gas lease sales in the upcoming 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The letter emphasizes the city's commitment to a clean coastal environment and calls for the protection of the Straits of Florida and other U.S. waters from new oil and gas development.  more ST

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 -- OrganicEye, a non-profit focused on the organic sector, has submitted a public comment letter to the National Organic Standards Board urging critical changes in regulations governing organic certification and labeling practices. The letter, which outlines pressing areas for reform, calls attention to issues that the organization believes undermine consumer trust and the integrity of organic products. In its letter, OrganicEye commends the National Organic Program (NOP) for more ST

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 -- The National Confectioners Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding a proposal to remove native non-organic cornstarch from the approved list at the upcoming National Organic Standards Board Meeting scheduled for January 13-14, 2026. The NCA emphasizes the importance of preserving this ingredient in confectionery products due to its unique functional properties. In its letter, the NCA, representing nearly 700,000 job more ST

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 -- The Organic Produce Association has submitted a public comment letter to the National Organic Standards Board in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Marketing Service highlighting critical issues related to the organic produce industry during the board's Fall 2025 virtual meeting. In their submission, the OPA emphasized the importance of efforts to adapt to the organic sector's evolution and growth. The organization, which exclusively represents the interests of the organi more ST