Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
Mega Storms Likely Tied To Warming Arctic
Long lasting mega storms, like Hurricane Sandy, are likely tied to a warming Arctic. Dr. Jennifer Francis, a researcher with the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University, says rising Arctic temperatures have changed the jet stream that drives weather in the northern hemisphere.
Wood Energy Conference Takes Place In Fairbanks
People from around Alaska are gathered in Fairbanks to talk about biomass energy. The conference is geared toward helping smaller communities replace high cost oil fired energy with wood fueled systems.
Oil Taxes Key Issue In Fairbanks-Area Elections
Candidates for three State Senate seats representing portions of the Fairbanks area are on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The candidates took questions during a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce sponsored forum last week, and Alaska’s oil tax was a key issue.
Fairbanks Area Air Quality Degrades Due To Winter Weather
Fairbanks North Pole area air quality is degraded due to winter like weather, and emissions from heating and vehicles. The fine particulate pollution is happening unusually early.
Gov. Parnell Says Trucking Gas To Fairbanks Is Step In Right Direction
Governor Sean Parnell says a plan for trucking North Slope natural gas to Fairbanks is moving in the right direction. On Monday and Tuesday the governor met in Fairbanks with a range of players seeking state money for the gas project.
Young, Cissna Participate In Fairbanks Forum
Long time U.S. House incumbent Republican Don Young and Democratic challenger Sharon Cissna took part in a forum in Fairbanks last week. The candidates highlighted some key priorities and shared differing views on issues ranging from resource development to health care.
Arctic Winter Games Officials Considering Fairbanks As 2014 Venue
Representatives from circumpolar nations are in Fairbanks to preview venues and plan for the 2014 Arctic Winter Games. The last time the youth sporting event was held in Alaska, was in Kenai in 2006. The Games International Committee includes members from Alaska, Canadian provinces, Greenland, the Scandinavian Arctic and Russia, and they like what they’re seeing in Fairbanks.
Fairbanks Left With Few Options To Reduce Air Pollution
The Fairbanks North Star Borough has fewer local options to reduce air pollution from wood burning following the passage of a citizen ballot proposition earlier this month. Proposition 3 bans the borough from regulating heating devices.
Research Vessel ‘Sikuliaq’ Launches In Wisconsin
The University of Alaska Fairbanks realized a dream over the weekend, with the launch of a new Arctic research vessel. The 261-foot Sikuliaq splashed into a river feeding Lake Michigan in Marinette, Wisconsin Saturday. The $200 million vessel project is largely supported by federal economic stimulus funding. The ship is owned by the National Science Foundation and will be operated by UAF. The launch culminated decades of planning and advocacy by the university.
Video courtesy of the United States Arctic Research Commission
Alaskan Contingent To Attend Launching Of Arctic Research Vessel
A large contingent of Alaskans is in Wisconsin to attend Saturday’s launch of a new Arctic research vessel that will be home ported in Alaska. The 261 foot ship is called the Sikuliak, the Inupiaq word for young sea ice. It’s owned by the National Science Foundation and will be operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Video courtesy of the United States Arctic Research Commission
GVE Agrees To Stricter Pollution Controls For Healy Coal Plant
Golden Valley Electric Association has agreed to stricter pollution controls for the Healy Clean Coal Plant under an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency. The utility has battled with environmental groups over proposed re-start of the long idled 300 million dollar plant. As KUAC’s Dan Bross reports, the agreement is the result of direct negotiation with the federal government.
No Major State Action Planned In Response To Fairbanks Heating Vote
The state doesn’t have any major action planned following approval of a Fairbanks ballot proposition that bans the North Star Borough from regulating heating devices. The yes vote has shifted the responsibility for reducing winter air pollution from wood and coal burning.
City Council Grants Utility Powers To North Star Borough For Natural Gas Distribution
The Fairbanks City Council has granted utility power to the North Star Borough for creation of a natural gas distribution utility. The power transfer follows similar action by the city of North Pole last week. It’s part of plan being pushed by borough Mayor Luke Hopkins and a group of assembly members to finance infrastructure needed to truck North Slope gas to Fairbanks. Gas is a cheaper, cleaner fuel alternative for Fairbanks, but the project requires major investment.
Survey Shows High Rates Of Violence Against Women In Alaska
A survey shows high rates of violence against women in Alaska. As KUAC’s Dan Bross reports the random phone survey indicates there’s a more serious problem than previously thought.
State To Participate In Legal Challenge Of NPS Authority
The state of Alaska wants to participate in a legal challenge of National Park Service authority. The case involves a run in between a moose hunter and park rangers on the Yukon River that generated major tensions.
Voters Ban Heating Device Regulation By North Star Borough
The state doesn’t have any major action planned following approval of a Fairbanks ballot proposition that bans the North Star Borough from regulating heating devices. The "yes" vote has shifted the responsibility for reducing winter air pollution from wood and coal burning.
State Auctioning Off Agricultural Land Parcel
The state is auctioning off a large parcel of agricultural land near Anderson. The month long sealed bid auction is for 637 acres. Its’ the third sale in the state’s Kobe designated agricultural use area.
Court Rules In Favor Of Washington Company For Brooks Range Gold Claims
The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Washington based company in a long running legal dispute over Brooks Range area gold mining claims.
Great Bear Petroleum Determining Feasibility Of Recovering Shale Oil Deposits
Results from exploratory wells in North Slope shale oil deposits are encouraging. Anchorage based Great Bear Petroleum is doing field work aimed at determining if the unconventional crude source is economically recoverable.
Fairbanks Voters to Decide on Limits of Heating Device Regulation
Fairbanks borough voters consider a ballot proposition in Tuesday’s municipal election, that if passed will stop the borough government from regulating heating devices. It’s the latest volley in the war over air quality.