Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
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.
Alaska Military Future Remains Uncertain
The U.S. military is in a time of transition and future mission status is uncertain. That was the message of U.S. Army Alaska commander Major General Michael Garret in Fairbanks yesterday. Garret says the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan means there are no combat deployments on the horizon, and the focus is on training.
Song Written To Celebrate New Arctic Research Vessel
An original piece of music has been written to celebrate the University of Alaska Fairbanks new Arctic research vessel, the Sikuliaq.
Tanana Adding New Biomass Systems
The city of Tanana is looking forward to lower fuel bills. The city is adding new biomass systems enabling it to swap high priced oil for locally available wood.
Energy, Manufacturing Companies In Asia Hope To Buy Alaska Gas
Energy and manufacturing companies in Asia want to buy Alaska North Slope gas. The Alaska Gasline Port Authority says it has interest from six corporations: four in Korea, and one each in Thailand and Indonesia.
Golden Valley Electric Secures Gas Shipments To Fairbanks
Golden Valley Electric Association has cleared a hurdle in its push to truck North Slope natural gas to Fairbanks. The electric utility has secured a gas supply contract with BP. Under the deal, Golden Valley can purchase up to 23 billion cubic feet of gas annually for 20 years. It’s a key part of a project being forwarded in partnership with the Flint Hills Refinery.
Scientists Studying ‘Slow Quakes’
Earthquakes are a daily occurrence in Alaska, but most go unnoticed by the general public. The unfelt quakes include a slow variety unknown to scientists until about 10 years ago. Stanford University professor of geophysics Gregory Beroza, says ultra sensitive seismometers and GPS measurements detect the gradual but powerful movements of the earth’s crust.
Fairbanks Youth Homeless Shelter Project Delayed
A youth homeless shelter project in Fairbanks has been delayed. The organization Fairbanks Youth Advocates is working to turn a donated downtown apartment building into a place to provide short term housing and meals for homeless kids.
Record Numbers Expected At 50th Running Of Equinox Marathon
The 50th running of the Equinox Marathon starts at 8:00 a.m. Saturday at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. A near record number of participants are expected.
Downsized Budget Reduced Scope Of Denali Commission
Decreased federal spending has downsized the budget and scope of the Denali Commission in Alaska. The independent federal agency was created by former Senator Ted Stevens in 1998 to address infrastructure in rural communities, but its financial clout is greatly diminished.
UAF Considers Possibility Of ‘Aurorium’
The advance of darkness means the return of prime aurora viewing season in interior Alaska, but a project being considered by the University of Alaska Fairbanks could make watching the northern lights a year round experience.