Alaska News Nightly: July 25, 2008

The FAA shuts down LAB flying service. Plus, the special session takes up a state energy plan, and the Alaska delegation seeks protection for Alaska-Native bowhead quota.  Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.

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FAA grounds LAB flying service
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
The Federal Aviation Administration has shut down LAB Flying Service.  The report released this morning  shows seven counts against the company for poor maintenance and inspections.Loose and missing rivets; oil, fuel and hydraulic-fluid leaks;incorrectly installed and worn brake disks – these are just a few ofthe problems pointed out in a 28-page FAA report revoking a small Southeast Alaska air carrier’s operating license.

State energy plan on special session agenda

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The House and Senate are working their way toward putting together a state energy plan during the current special session.

Energy-related bills to get public scrutiny

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The public will get its chance to sound off on the energy-related bills that are before the legislature during the special session.  House Finance committee chair Kevin Meyer says it will begin following a morning hearing on the resource rebate bill.

Delegation seeks protection for Alaska-Native bowhead quota
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The Alaska congressional delegation introduced legislation yesterday that seeks to protect the bowhead whaling quota for Alaska Natives. Currently the International Whaling Commission, sets the quotas for a five year period, but the IWC has become increasingly political and growing divisions over nations such as Japan who seek to resume commercial whaling have threatened Alaska Eskimo subsistence whaling quotas in past meetings.

MEA wants gas-powered electrical plant near Eklutna
Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Wasilla
Matanuska Electric Association is setting its sights on building a gas powered electrical generation facility near Eklutna. The move comes after last year’s plan for a larger, coal fired power plant was shelved.  The new project is in the initial stages, and it depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is a steady supply of natural gas.

Fish and Game wants out of stewardship process
Casey Kelly, KMXT – Kodiak
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is looking to get out of the Marine Stewardship Council process.

Natives near Dawson City curb their salmon harvest
Cheryl Kawaja, CBC – Whitehorse
Natives in the Dawson City area have voluntarily curbed their salmon harvest from the Yukon River, due to poor returns.

Kenai fishing violations on the rise

Emily Schwing, KBBI – Homer
A large number of sport and personal use fishing violations have occurred in the past week on the Kenai Peninsula and Wildlife Troopers have doubled their numbers to combat rogue fishermen.

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