WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). The letter highlights the pivotal role in working with local communities to oversee oil transportation and storage activities in the region. Established under the Oil Spill Pollution Act of 1990, the PWSRCAC serves as a critical voice for citizens, providing oversight and   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard in support of the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council. The council has undergone significant development since its inception after the Exxon Valdez oil spill and continues to play a crucial role in ensuring oil transport safety in the region. Established under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, PWSRCAC was formed to promote public involvement in p  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Associated Industries of Florida has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) expressing strong support for the proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing program for 2026-2031. The organization emphasizes that this program is essential for maintaining energy reliability and ensuring affordable energy for consumers. The Five-Year Plan, as outlined in the letter, aims to expand energy access across strategic areas in the Pacific, offshor  more

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Feb. 16 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson joins effort to block abortion drugs sent through the mail * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined 21 other states in filing a brief in support of Louisiana's lawsuit challenging a Biden-era rule that expanded access to abortion drugs through mail and telehealth, despite contrary state laws. "This is about protect  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing opposition to the proposed expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling. The organization urges to protect coasts from oil drilling and the associated disruptions, as outlined in the Draft Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. CCAN AF emphasizes the potential environmental and health  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The City of Whittier, Alaska, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District voicing support for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). This advisory body is essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of the local environment and economy, particularly in light of the vital role the Prince William Sound area plays for Whittier residents. In the letter, the city emphasized that   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Conservation Law Foundation has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) voicing opposition to the Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. In the letter, CLF denounces the proposed expansion of oil and gas leasing activities, which threatens marine ecosystems and coastal communities across New England. Founded in 1966, CLF aims to protect and restore the environmen  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management advocating for the approval and implementation of the 11th National Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The organization emphasizes that offshore oil and gas production is essential for maintaining energy reliability and affordability for American consumers. CEA, which represents a diverse membership including families, farmers, small businesses, and manuf  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). CIAA, a private nonprofit corporation based in Alaska, is dedicated to salmon enhancement efforts throughout the Cook Inlet region. Established in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the PWSRCAC has devoted 35 years to its mission of pr  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Cook Inletkeeper has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management voicing opposition to the inclusion of offshore oil and gas leases in Lower Cook Inlet as part of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The organization is dedicated to protecting the Cook Inlet watershed and the diverse ecosystems it supports. Inletkeeper reiterated that the potential harm to marine life from oil and gas development in Co  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The Cordova District Fishermen United (CDFU) has expressed strong support for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) in a public comment letter addressed to the U.S. Coast Guard. The PWSRCAC was formed in response to the disastrous Exxon Valdez oil spill and has played a crucial role in promoting safe operations of the Alyeska terminal and its associated tankers for over 35 years. CDFU highlights the importance of the  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Environment America has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management opposing the proposed expansion of offshore drilling laid out in the Draft Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The organization argues that expanding drilling poses significant risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Environment America's letter highlights the potential for catastrophic oil spills as a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Fjord and Fish Sciences has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Established in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, PWSRCAC has played a vital role in ensuring the environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska terminal and its tanker operations for over 35 years. In the letter, Fjord & Fish Sciences emphasized the importance of the PW  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing support for the proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2026-2031. The organization emphasizes the importance of regular lease sales to ensure energy reliability and affordability for consumers. The Five-Year Plan put forth by the agency seeks to expand energy access in strategic areas, including the Pacific, offshore Alaska, a  more

SURREY, England, Feb. 17 -- Air Cargo News issued the following news: * * * Global GSA to market Alaska's Rome-Seattle flights By Rebecca Jeffrey Global GSA Group will market and develop Alaska Airlines' cargo business from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) in Italy to the airline's hub in Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), US. The companies have signed a General Sales & Service Agent (GSSA) partnership ahead of the airline's late April launch of direct FCO-SEA flights. From late April onwards, daily   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Hispanic Policy Group has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding the proposed 2026-2031 National Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The organization expressed appreciation for the efforts to develop a comprehensive Five-Year Plan that emphasizes energy reliability, affordability for consumers, environmental stewardship and national security considerations. In their correspondence, the Hispanic Policy Group noted that the propose  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding the Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The community opposes the plans that would include the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, citing substantial threats to its way of life and subsistence resources. The Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope highlights its long-standing oppos  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Kodiak Island Borough has expressed its support for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) through a public comment letter submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Kodiak Island Borough has highlighted the PWSRCAC's effectiveness over the past 35 years in promoting environmentally safe operations at the Alyeska terminal and associated tankers in Prince William Sound. The borough emphasizes the council's proactive me  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The National Wildlife Federation has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior expressing opposition to the proposed expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling in the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The organization argues that the proposal to open up approximately 1.27 billion acres of the nation's waters for drilling poses significant environmental threats to sensitive ecosystems and coastal communit  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Native Village of Dot Lake submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy expressing concerns regarding the proposed categorical exclusion for advanced nuclear reactors. The proposal seeks to streamline the authorization and operational processes for nuclear facilities under the Department's National Environmental Policy Act implementing procedures. In their letter, the Tribe emphasized the critical importance of intact lands, subsistence resources  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Native Village of Point Hope, Alaska, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior expressing concerns over the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. In the letter, the tribal council appeals for significant modifications to the federal plan, particularly requesting the exclusion of proposed lease sales in the ecologically vulnerable Hope Basin and Chukchi Sea areas. The council emphasized the  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The New York University School of Law Institute for Policy Integrity submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding its 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The think tank is urging to conduct a more comprehensive analysis before moving forward with proposals for 34 lease sales in regions including Alaska and the Pacific between 2026 and 2031. The organization has pointed out that the draft  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- A gap analysis of recent economic reports commissioned by the Alaska Pollock sector - A report from Ocean Conservancy - January 2026 (18 pages) * * * Ocean Conservancy issued a report examining the status of Atlantic pollock fisheries, highlighting recent trends in population health, fishing pressures and management practices that influence long-term sustainability. The analysis reviews stock assessments, harvest data and regulatory frameworks across key marine  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Oil Spill Region Environmental Coalition (OSREC) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The coalition emphasizes the critical role of PWSRCAC in ensuring environmental safety and community protection in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. Established in response to the catastrop  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Resource Development Council for Alaska (RDC) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The council expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft proposed program and emphasized the need for collaboration with local Alaskans and subsistence hunters during the leasing process. RDC, a statewide non-profit tra  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Response Planning Group (RPG), representing a coalition of oil discharge prevention and contingency plan holders, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District, advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). The letter underscores the importance of the PWSRCAC in maintaining safety standards and environmental oversight in the region's oil transportation system. The RPG compr  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Stan Stephens Cruises Inc. has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). The company emphasizes the role played by PWSRCAC in maintaining the environmental health of Prince William Sound. The council's initiatives have garnered appreciation from local vessel operators for their commitment to implementing advanced technologies to enha  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Surf Industry Members Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management opposing proposed offshore oil and gas lease sales in the draft 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. SIMA urges the cancellation of plans for new leasing off California, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, and the Arctic Ocean. The organization highlights the dependence of the surf industry on a clean an  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District advocating for the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council. Established in response to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, PWSRCAC plays a crucial role in promoting environmentally safe operations of the Alyeska terminal and its associated tankers. The Cordova Ranger District emphasized the widespread support tha  more