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BP To Increase Number Of Rigs On North Slope
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
Monday, BP committed to spending at least $1 billion in Alaska over the next few years. The oil giant plans to use that money to bring two drill rigs to Prudhoe Bay and to potentially expand into undeveloped parts of that field. The announcement comes on the heels of a major change to the state’s oil tax system.
Galena Looks Toward Recovery
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Major hurdles need to be cleared before Galena residents, who evacuated due to a major ice jam flood last week, can return home.
Air Force Releases Draft EID Statement For Eielson F-16 Move
Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks
A draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the Air Force Friday recommends downsizing Eielson Air Force Base for cost savings. But, Alaska’s leaders argue the document ignores requests for cost reduction estimates, among other things.
Juneau’s Carpenter Union Hall Shuts Down
Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau
About 35 carpenter union locals in the Pacific Northwest have closed in the past three years to join larger locals. Earlier this month, Juneau’s Carpenter Union Local 2247 fell to the same fate and its members have been absorbed by Anchorage’s Carpenter Union Local 1281.
The carpenters’ umbrella union – the Pacific Northwest Region Council – says Southeast has not been forgotten. Council officials met with members in Ketchikan and have plans to open a Juneau office.
Alaska Airlines Bids To Continue Service To Adak
Stephanie Joyce, KUCB – Unalaska
Around this time last year, it looked like Adak’s jet service was in jeopardy. Alaska Airlines wanted to stop flying there, and it was only after much back and forth that they conceded to continue serving the community, on a trial basis.
Copper River Subsistence Opening Delayed 3 Days
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
The Federal Subsistence Board announced on Friday that the Copper River subsistence salmon fishery will not open on June 7 as previously scheduled.
Group Continues Push For Indoor Produce Growing Facility
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
A group that wants to convert Fairbanks dormant Polaris building into an indoor produce growing facility isn’t giving up. Project leader and executive director of the locally based Alliance for Reason and Knowledge, Robert Shields says he’s organizing a campaign to raise money to buy the 1950’s era Hotel, and do initial renovations for hydroponic farming.
Alaska’s Cultural Connections: Moving To The Mat-Su
Len Anderson, APRN Contributor
For over a decade, the Matunuska-Susitna Borough has outstripped the rest of Alaska in population growth. From 2000 to 2012, the borough increased by over 34,000 residents. That 58 percent rate is nearly four times Anchorage and the state as a whole.
