Elizabeth Harball, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage
Elizabeth Harball is a reporter with Alaska's Energy Desk, covering Alaska’s oil and gas industry and environmental policy. She is a contributor to the Energy Desk’s Midnight Oil podcast series. Before moving to Alaska in 2016, Harball worked at E&E News in Washington, D.C., where she covered federal and state climate change policy. Originally from Kalispell, Montana, Harball is a graduate of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Oil lease sale for National Petroleum Reserve sees little interest
Nine hundred tracts, totaling more than 10 million acres, were up for bid. But at the annual lease sale held today, oil companies bid on only seven tracts. The sale lasted less than 10 minutes. Listen Now
Prudhoe Bay job numbers fell to lowest since 2007 this year
In May of this year, job numbers in the Prudhoe Bay region dropped to the lowest levels in a decade, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Listen now
Feds approve first oil exploration in Arctic federal waters since Shell
It's the first oil exploration in Arctic federal waters since Shell abandoned its campaign in 2015. The company, Eni, aims to begin drilling in December. Listen now
With both cheers and tears, Alaskans react to big energy policy changes under Trump
At two recent gatherings in Anchorage, Alaskans expressed very different feelings about the big shift in Washington on development issues. Listen now
Despite technical and economic hurdles, Conoco’s newest development starts producing oil
The project, called 1H NEWS, had to overcome several challenges. Listen now
A potential neighbor to the Pebble Mine sees both sides
At least one resident who lives in a community near where Pebble would be developed is still deciding whether the mine is a good idea. Listen now
Geology gets political as federal scientists pursue new ANWR oil assessment
David Houseknecht works for the U.S. Geological Survey, and he's trying to figure out two key questions: How much oil is in the Arctic Refuge, and where is it? The answers could decide ANWR's fate, no matter how the politics play out. Listen now
Papua New Guinea company to take over big North Slope oil play
Denver-based Armstrong Energy is selling off a significant chunk of its stake in the Nanushuk oil play to Oil Search, a company based in Papua New Guinea. Oil Search announced Wednesday that it will take over as operator next June. Listen now
BP likely to plug thirteen at-risk wells after April accident
BP thinks the accident was caused by thawing permafrost deep below the surface, which put uneven stress on the well. Eventually, the well gave out, rising several feet out of the ground and colliding with the top of the building over the well. Listen now
Trump administration offers more NPR-A land for oil leasing than ever before
The Bureau of Land Management announced all 900 tracts set aside for leasing will be up for bid. That compares to just 145 tracts offered last year. It's the largest lease sale ever in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Listen now
Investigation shows BP Alaska reckoning with multiple accidents and leaks
BP isn't disputing that the incidents took place. The company has already taken extreme steps to address the issue. Listen now
Walker cabinet member to oversee EPA’s Northwest office
The agency confirmed that Chris Hladick will become the regional administrator overseeing EPA's work in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Listen now
In Iliamna, EPA hears mixed reactions to its new course on Pebble Mine
Unlike the hearing the day before in Dillingham -- where public input was unanimously against the proposed Pebble Mine and EPA’s new course -- the reaction in Iliamna was more mixed. Listen now
As Trump administration removes federal roadblocks, Pebble Mine fight shifts to state
Now that the Trump administration has removed a major roadblock, Alaskans can expect a lot more action at the state level. Listen now
Industry, environmental groups speak out as Hilcorp paves the way for drilling in federal Arctic waters
The oil and gas company Hilcorp wants to build a gravel island in shallow waters in the Beaufort Sea, east of Prudhoe Bay. Listen now
Judge overrules state, says salmon initiative can go forward
A controversial ballot initiative intended to protect salmon habitat has cleared a major hurdle, setting up what could be an intense political fight. Listen now
Walker doubles down on opposing Pebble Mine
Tomorrow, Pebble Limited Partnership CEO Tom Collier is expected to publicly outline a plan for the proposed Pebble Mine project for the first time. But in an interview today, Governor Bill Walker said he's against the controversial mine. Listen now
Judge weighs whether ballot initiative favors salmon over mining, oil
At a hearing Tuesday in Anchorage, the key question was this: does the ballot initiative give the state enough wiggle room to consider projects like the proposed Pebble Mine or Susitna Dam even if they impact salmon streams? Listen now
Valdez spill response continues as Alyeska investigates cause
Alyeska has ruled out a mechanical failure, but isn't ready to pinpoint human error during testing as the cause of the spill. Listen now
How much could electric vehicles put the brakes on Alaska’s oil economy?
As more people move away from gasoline powered cars, the big players in the oil industry have started to pay attention -- and that includes Alaska. Listen now