Jane Lubchenco, administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is in the state this week, visiting Anchorage, Homer and Fairbanks. The Agency has a broad reach in Alaska, overseeing weather forecasts, fisheries and species like seals and whales. The Cook Inlet Beluga Whale was the focus of a meeting Lubchenco had Tuesday morning with oil and gas producers in Cook Inlet. The companies are worried the whale’s endangered status will hinder their ability to drill in the area.
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Annie Feidt is the broadcast managing editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach her atafeidt@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anniehere.