Business
Former DOE NEPA Chief and Save LBI Advocacy President Warns SPEED Act Would ‘Eviscerate’ Environmental Protections and Violate the Constitution
LONG BEACH ISLAND, N.J., March 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Bob Stern, Ph.D., President of Save Long Beach Island (LBI) Advocacy and former manager of the Office of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today issued a sharp warning regarding the Senate’s consideration of the Standardized Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. While framed as “permitting reform,” Stern argues the bill is a dangerous overreach that threatens the bedrock of American environmental law and constitutional separation of powers.
Image caption: Save Long Beach Island (LBI) Advocacy.
“The SPEED Act does contain some useful deadlines for Agency action but goes way too far and essentially eviscerates the NEPA itself,” Stern said. “This bill ignores the reality that delays are often caused by poor Agency implementation and a failure to fully disclose environmental impacts. In many cases, it isn’t the NEPA vehicle that needs fixing, but rather the ‘nut’ behind the wheel.”
FLAWED IMPLEMENTATION, NOT FLAWED LAW
Only a few agencies have a problem with the National Environmental Policy Act. Stern highlighted the extensive litigation facing the nation’s current offshore wind program as a primary example of implementation failure. He noted that the Department of the Interior (DOI) currently awards lease areas — the most important environmental decision — with virtually no environmental impact information, locking developers into flawed locations and inevitably leading to downstream litigation when environmental problems are brought to light years later in environmental impact statements (EIS), other statutory reviews, and comments by informed stakeholders.
COUNTERPRODUCTIVE REQUIREMENTS
“The bill limits the scope of environmental reviews to the ‘immediate’ and ‘proximate’ effects of a project, dismissing impacts that are caused by the project but separated geographically and timewise,” explained Thomas Stavola Jr. Esq., attorney on behalf of Save Long Beach Island Advocacy. “It also would eliminate the current requirement for an assessment of cumulative impacts. While this may make a consultant’s life easier, it conflicts with well-established case law and the full disclosure requirements of the Act.”
Stavola further noted that “a decision-maker considering such limited information would not be operating in the “real world” and, therefore prone to making flawed decisions, creating more opportunity for litigation and delay.
CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RED FLAGS
In an extensive markup sent to Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich, Save LBI Advocacy identified many provisions in the House-passed version of the SPEED Act that are counterproductive, legally indefensible, and in need of major revision:
- Citizen Rights: The bill would limit the rights of affected parties to seek relief in Court, which conflicts with the standing prerequisites mandated by Article III of the Constitution. It also conflicts with and violates the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which holds that a person adversely affected or aggrieved by an agency action is entitled to judicial review.
- Restrictions on the Courts: The proposed restrictions on vacatur and injunctive relief improperly constrain judicial power and contradict the APA’s clear mandate to “set aside” or vacate unlawful agency actions. By dictating deference to agency judgement of impact, the bill undermines the court’s ability to equitably weigh harms to the parties involved.
- Conflicts with SCOTUS Precedent: The requirement for “substantial deference” to agencies violates the recent U.S. Supreme Court Chevron deference reversal ruling, which now demands that courts exercise independent judgment in interpreting statutes.
- Separation of Powers: Provisions that make a court’s remand power contingent on developer consent constitute an unconstitutional impingement on Article III judicial authority.
CONCLUSIONS
“This is not good law,” Stern concluded. “In its present form, the bill creates confusion and does not foster wise decision-making. It would eviscerate NEPA, which has been a bedrock of national environmental policy for over 50 years, and stands in direct conflict with other law and the Constitution itself. Most importantly, the bill does not address the root causes of many delays, which can be fixed with more informed and cooperative applicant and agency staff work.
A CALL FOR CAUTION
Save LBI Advocacy is calling on the Senators Whitehouse and Heinrich to exercise extreme caution in proceeding with the SPEED Act to be sure they are: (1) addressing the root causes of delay and not creating more chaos and confusion, which will serve no one, and (2) not removing environmental protections that have served us well for over a half-century. To that end, Save LBI Advocacy is asking them to consider its markup of the bill, which can still achieve significant permitting reform while preserving the Act.
ABOUT SAVE LONG BEACH ISLAND ADVOCACY, INC.
Save LBI Advocacy is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting the shore and ocean environment through rigorous advocacy, ensuring lawful environmental review for offshore industrial development. For more information, please visit https://www.savelbi.org/save-lbi-advocacy.
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News Source: Save Long Beach Island (Save LBI)
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This press release was issued by Send2Press® Newswire on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy. www.send2press.com.
Business
Texas Bankers Association Partners with Ascribe to Offer Texas Banks Competitive, Reliable Valuation Services
AUSTIN, Texas, March 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Texas Bankers Association (TBA), the nation’s largest state-based banking trade organization, today announced its endorsement of Ascribe, a leading national provider of valuation, evaluation, property inspection, and REO (real estate owned) services. Approved by the TBA Services Company, Inc. (TBASCO) Board of Directors, the endorsement gives Texas banks access to high-quality valuation services, competitive pricing, and fully insured support for both commercial and residential properties.
Image caption: Ascribe logo.
“We are excited to partner with Ascribe to offer our bank members competitive and reliable valuation services,” said Ben Buehler, president of TBASCO. “Ascribe combines the strength of a national valuation provider with the flexibility to meet the unique needs of our member banks—delivering broad expertise while maintaining a strong focus on service and responsiveness.”
With a strong nationwide footprint and an extensive product offering, Ascribe provides coverage across Texas and the United States, enabling TBA member banks to work with a single provider regardless of location, asset type, or order volume. Ascribe is equipped to value properties of any type and complexity. Banks also benefit from dedicated client support teams committed to understanding each institution’s specific operational and risk management needs.
Ascribe appraisals undergo a rigorous quality control (QC) process designed to ensure regulatory compliance and consistent report quality. QC reviews are conducted by Certified General appraisers—many with decades of experience—who provide independent oversight, constructive feedback, and guidance. This disciplined approach strengthens risk management and supports customized reporting options aligned with each bank’s policies and requirements.
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL VALUATION SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Commercial appraisal and evaluation services
- Residential appraisal and evaluation services
- Appraisal reviews
- Automated valuation models (AVMs)
- Broker price opinions (BPOs)
- Desktop appraisals
- Property condition reports (PCRs)
- Property data collection (PDC), bifurcated appraisals, and hybrid evaluations
- Reconciliation services
- Property inspections
TBA members are invited to learn more about Ascribe during an informational webinar taking place Wednesday, April 8 at 11:00am CT. Registration details and a link to register are available here – https://ascribeval.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zEt8QLToT2KnrNOp4r0nyQ#/registration
ABOUT TEXAS BANKERS ASSOCIATION
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA), founded in 1885, is America’s oldest and largest state banking association. TBA advocates for almost 400 member banks in Austin and Washington, trains more than 20,000 community bankers annually, provides nationally recognized bank services, and invests in Texas communities through financial literacy, scholarships and charitable activities. To learn more, visit https://www.texasbankers.com/.
ABOUT ASCRIBE
Ascribe provides a full suite of commercial and residential property valuations, evaluations, property inspections, and REO asset management services to the financial industry. Ascribe is authorized to conduct business in all fifty States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ascribe holds an AMC license in all required states.
Ascribe specializes in helping its customers effectively meet service and compliance requirements while limiting the financial risks associated with property matters in mortgage origination, servicing, default, and capital markets. To learn more, visit https://www.ascribeval.com/.
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News Source: Ascribe
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This press release was issued by Send2Press® Newswire on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy. www.send2press.com.
Business
Evergreen Development Brings Fitness, Dining, and Retail to One of Gilbert’s Last Master-Planned Commercial Sites
GILBERT, Ariz., March 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Evergreen Development has construction well underway on Parkview at Morrison Ranch, a Mountainside Fitness-anchored neighborhood center at the northeast corner of Higley Road and Warner Road in Gilbert, Arizona. Completion of the approximately 15-acre development is targeted for Fall 2026. Sitework began in November, with vertical construction starting in February 2026.
Photo Caption: Parkview at Morrison Ranch.
Parkview at Morrison Ranch is one of the final remaining commercial parcels within the Morrison Ranch master-planned community. As Gilbert approaches build-out with a projected population exceeding 330,000, sites like this represent some of the most compelling development opportunities remaining in the East Valley.
The project advances alongside an active Evergreen pipeline across Arizona. The company recently started construction on Marketplace at Tres Rios, a Fry’s Marketplace-anchored shopping center in Avondale developed in partnership with the Vanderwey family and the City of Avondale, earning the support of both the mayor and city council. In multifamily, Evergreen executed a 90-day close on a shovel-ready Mesa apartment site which will join a second Evergreen apartment project already underway in Mesa. Three industrial projects are also nearing completion, advancing a sector expansion launched with the company’s first Arizona industrial groundbreaking in 2023.
“While many companies are forced to drop projects because they’re unable to secure debt or equity, we continue to move forward with the deals in our pipeline. We make it happen––that’s who we are,” said Laura Ortiz, President of Evergreen.
The center will include an approximately 41,000-square-foot Mountainside Fitness, a freestanding Chipotle Mexican Grill with dine-in service and a mobile pickup lane, Black Rock Coffee, a retail shops building, and multiple additional freestanding retail and service pads.
Evergreen developed Parkview at Morrison Ranch through a joint venture partnership with members of the Morrison family. That model has become a defining element of how Evergreen works: partnering directly with long-standing landowners to bring legacy parcels to market, structuring deals that align interests over the long term and delivering high-quality destinations that become natural extensions of the communities they serve.
“We are excited to see Parkview at Morrison Ranch come to life and to welcome Mountainside Fitness as a destination for health, wellness, and connection within the Morrison Ranch community,” said Bryan Lamond, Senior Vice President of Arizona Acquisitions at Evergreen. “Evergreen has earned a reputation as a partner of choice in the market, and we are grateful for the trust and collaboration of the Morrison family in bringing Parkview to fruition.”
The development team includes Joe Doucett (Newmark), Upward Architects, Hubbard Engineering, AR Mays, and Equity Bank.
About Evergreen Devco, Inc.
More than 50 years strong, Evergreen is one of Arizona’s most established and active real estate development companies with a track record of more than 650 completed projects across retail, multifamily, industrial, and mixed-use asset classes. Evergreen has earned a reputation as an industry leader by developing with integrity, honoring commitments, and encouraging forward-thinking solutions. It continues to serve as a trusted partner across the Valley and has over 70 employees with offices in Arizona, Colorado, California, and Utah. Visit https://evgre.com/
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News Source: Evergreen Devco Inc.
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Business
La Belle Farms and Hudson Valley Foie Gras to Challenge Recent Appellate Ruling That Limits State Review of NYC’s Foie Gras Ban
FERNDALE, N.Y., March 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — La Belle Farms, a fourth-generation, family owned and operated duck farm located in Ferndale, N.Y., announced today it will appeal the recent decision by the Appellate Division, Third Department, which ruled that the State Department of Agriculture and Markets misapplied state law when it blocked New York City’s 2019 ban on the sale of foie gras (Local Law 202).
Photo caption: Foie gras, a timeless delicacy rich in tradition and flavor. Courtesy La Belle Farms.
Last week, the appeals court found that the state agency’s protection of La Belle’s farm operations went beyond what the statute allows. The farm said it respects the court system and will seek review by the New York Court of Appeals to resolve the competing priorities at issue – NYC’s animal-welfare concerns and New York State’s longstanding policy to support agriculture as a vital part of the economy.
“Today’s ruling is a setback, but we will not stop fighting for our right to farm and to sell our product,” said Sergio Saravia. “This appeal is about more than foie gras; it’s about protecting family farms and the many jobs and small businesses that depend on them. We’ll be asking the Court of Appeals to clarify how state agricultural protection should operate so farmers aren’t left vulnerable to local measures that reach well beyond city limits.”
La Belle Farms is a fourth-generation, family-run duck farm on 40 acres in Sullivan County, NY. Founded by the Saravia family in 1999, La Belle is one of the few farms nationwide producing foie gras and premium duck meat, and it supports the regional economy by employing hundreds of local workers and partnering with area businesses.
“Agriculture depends on predictable and consistent policies so farmers can operate with certainty,” notes Marcus Henley, manager of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, a premier New York foie gras producer. “It becomes difficult when different municipalities adopt their own restrictions on products that are otherwise legal under state law.”
Edward Phillips of Keane & Bean, PC, who represents La Belle Farms, added: “We will ask the Court of Appeals to review the record and uphold the Commissioner’s determination. The Appellate Division held that the Commissioner was powerless to stop the City from imposing a sales ban that was admittedly designed to restrict a farming practice. That ruling, which is unprecedented and leaves all farmers across the state vulnerable to similar sales bans, should be reviewed by New York’s highest court.”
While the Appellate Division ruled against the agency’s interpretation, La Belle Farms notes that a separate injunction from another case currently prevents the city from enforcing Local Law 202.
Court: NY Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department
Docket Number: CV-24-1310 – https://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/Decisions/2026/CV-24-1310.pdf
Citation: 2026 NY Slip Op 01426
ABOUT LA BELLE FARMS:
La Belle Farms is a 40-acre, family-run, duck farm located in Sullivan County, NY. It is one of three farms in the country that produce foie gras. The farm was established by the Saravia and Lee families in 1999 and has supported four generations of family members. It currently produces over 182,000 ducks per-year for high-quality foie gras and other superior duck meat products. Their management team constantly travels around the world, learning about the latest production methods and keeping tabs on culinary trends. Learn more: https://labellefarms.com/.
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Photo caption: Foie gras, a timeless delicacy rich in tradition and flavor. Courtesy La Belle Farms.
News Source: La Belle Farms
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This press release was issued by Send2Press® Newswire on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy. www.send2press.com.
Business
BioAustinCTX Announces Leadership Transition
AUSTIN, Texas, March 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — BioAustinCTX today announced that Scott Collins, PhD, has transitioned from his role as President at the end of February after more than a decade of leadership supporting the growth of the Central Texas life sciences ecosystem.
Image caption: BioAustinCTX.
During his tenure over the past decade, Dr. Collins helped guide BioAustinCTX through a period of significant expansion for the region’s biotechnology and life science community. Under his leadership, the organization strengthened its role as a connector across startups, established companies, academic institutions, investors, and economic development partners, helping foster collaboration and visibility across the ecosystem.
“Serving as President of BioAustinCTX has been one of the great privileges of my professional career,” said Dr. Collins. “I am proud of the progress our community has made and look forward to continuing to support the organization as Ambassador and Past President while focusing on advancing deep technology and biotechnology innovation in the Central Texas region.”
Following this transition, Dr. Collins will remain actively engaged with BioAustinCTX in an Ambassador and Past President capacity, supporting the organization’s mission and ongoing initiatives.
As BioAustinCTX looks ahead, the organization remains focused on strengthening the connectivity, competitiveness, and growth of the Central Texas life sciences sector. The Board of Directors is committed to building on the strong foundation established to date and will share additional updates regarding leadership and strategic priorities in the coming weeks.
BioAustinCTX thanks Dr. Collins for his service and leadership and looks forward to continued collaboration as the organization enters its next phase.
About BioAustinCTX
BioAustinCTX is a nonprofit industry organization dedicated to advancing the life sciences ecosystem in Central Texas. Through collaboration, education, networking, and strategic engagement, BioAustinCTX supports entrepreneurs, researchers, companies, and partners working to bring life-changing technologies to market. Learn more at https://bioaustinctx.com/.
News Source: BioAustinCTX
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Source: https://www.send2press.com/wire/bioaustinctx-announces-leadership-transition/
Business
New Collaboration Strengthens Trust in Oil and Gas Certification Data
PORTLAND, Ore., March 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Diode, the leader in blockchain-defined networking, today announced a collaboration with CleanConnect.ai to strengthen the integrity and traceability of oil and gas production certificates. The initiative integrates Diode’s zero trust networking technology, Oasis’ privacy preserving blockchain, and CleanConnect.ai’s ProveZero multi-certification pathway system to deliver authenticated production proofs with source level provenance. The AI-driven verification framework safeguards regulated industrial information while ensuring the validity of on-chain Real World Assets (RWAs).
Image caption: Diode, the leader in blockchain-defined networking.
“Every certified performance target, every methane measurement, every evidence document is only as valuable as the trust chain behind it,” said Mark Smith, Chief Strategy Officer of CleanConnect.ai. “By routing production data generated by ProveZero through Diode’s zero-trust network and anchoring it on Oasis, we give producers, traders, and buyers cryptographic proof that the attributes encoded in every Environmental Attribute Certificate reflect real, verified, source-level data — not a registry spreadsheet someone emailed. Our ProveZero multi-certification platform can now generate tokenized energy as a verifiable Real World Asset on the blockchain, spanning ISO 14067, ISCC, EO100™, MiQ, OGMP, EUMR, and more — giving the market a single, auditable chain of custody across every major standard simultaneously.”
“We see private, automated, and cross-vendor AI systems as the next frontier for regulated data,” said Hans Rempel, CEO of Diode. “By leveraging our private AI control plane anchored on Oasis, CleanConnect.ai can rapidly deploy new assurance capabilities without sacrificing privacy, compliance, or control.”
“Oasis provides the private foundation that makes zero-trust networking so powerful for regulated industries,” said Marko Stokic, Head of AI at Oasis. “Seeing that infrastructure now underpinning real-world certification workflows in the energy sector is the kind of adoption we built for. We look forward to seeing CleanConnect.ai and Diode push the boundaries even further.”
To read the case study on how Diode, Oasis, and CleanConnect.ai are delivering verifiable Real World Assets, go to https://diode.io/blog/diode-cleanconectai-oasis-verfiable-rwa.
ABOUT OASIS
Oasis makes applications private and verifiable, empowering developers to build experiences where data ownership and user confidentiality are foundational and where user data is protected by default. Learn more at https://oasis.net/.
ABOUT CLEANCONNECT.AI
CleanConnect.ai provides AI-driven automation solutions that monitor and reduce methane emissions across oil and gas operations, enabling cost savings, regulatory compliance, and environmental sustainability in real time. Learn more at https://cleanconnect.ai/.
ABOUT DIODE
Diode is the innovation leader in Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) technology, providing blockchain‑secured networking that automates defense of teams, systems, and AI infrastructure while securely unlocking collaboration across organizational boundaries. Learn more at https://diode.io/.
For media inquiries, contact
Hans Rempel
media@diode.io
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News Source: Diode
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