Eric Keto, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage
Eric is a video producer for Alaska's Energy Desk. While he never learned the proper way to ride a horse while growing up in Wyoming, he did manage to become a proficient video cable wrangler thanks to a volunteer gig at Wyoming PBS. After graduating from Ithaca College with a Bachelors degree in Television-Radio Production, Eric spent a couple years traveling around Oregon and Washington as a Multimedia Producer for a regional newspaper company, covering everything from sand sculpting competitions to sled dog races. From there, he transitioned to a more stationary gig in Portland, where he developed and managed a team of video editors at a startup news production company. The call of the road sent Eric north, where he’s happy to once again be producing video and audio in the field. Outside of work, Eric is hoping to spend as much time as he can exploring Alaska (it’s so close to Anchorage), climbing around on rocks, and perhaps finally learning how to ride a horse.
eketo (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8494 | About Eric
Midnight Oil: Alaska, the oil state that almost wasn’t | Episode 1
On this episode: It’s hard to imagine now, but Alaska nearly lost out on the discovery of the century -- and the billions of dollars that came with it.
Audiogram: The oil state that almost wasn’t
Oil started flowing down the Trans-Alaska Pipeline forty years ago, transforming Alaska into a wealthy oil state.
Video: Can we harness the power of Cook Inlet?
Cook Inlet has some of the most dramatic tidal shifts on the planet. From scientists to startups, many have speculated how this fast-flowing water could be harnessed to produce electricity. Professor Tom Ravens (University of Alaska Anchorage) and Chris Rose (Renewable Energy Project Alaska) discuss the potential and challenges of tapping hydro-kinetic energy.
Video: Generating power from pollock
Hoisted up from the Bering Sea, Alaska pollock finds its way into products that are distributed around the world. Sometimes, part of the fish doesn’t make it that far. Mark Hoffman, supervisor at the UniSea power plant, explains how the company uses some of its leftover fish oil.
Video: Is the Cook Inlet gas leak contributing to global warming?
A natural gas pipeline in Alaska has been leaking methane into the atmosphere since at least early February. Dr. Katey Walter Anthony from the University of Alaska Fairbanks helps to put the size of that leak into perspective.
Video: Artifacts unearthed during TAPS construction remain relevant
Underneath the Museum of the North in Fairbanks are rows upon rows of artifacts from across the state. One group of items, unearthed during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, still have a role to play in Alaska’s modern development process. Listen Now
Debate for the State 2016 – Thursday, November 3, 8:00PM
Alaska Public Media will air two debates, one featuring candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives and one featuring candidates running for the U.S. Senate. The live program will begin on Thursday, November 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Video: Below ground in the Fairbanks permafrost tunnel
Ancient microbes, unusual ice structures, mammoth bones — there’s a lot happening below the surface in the Fairbanks Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility. The underground laboratory, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, is kept at a constant 27 degrees Fahrenheit.
Video: Whale skeleton takes flight in Anchorage
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks were at Kincaid Beach in Anchorage to finish recovering the skeleton of the humpback whale that washed up there in July. Listen Now
VIDEO: Anchorage professor bets on bio-insulation made from mushrooms
From underneath the roads to inside our homes, insulation is everywhere in Alaska. But traditional foam board is energy intensive to produce and often ends up as plastic litter in oceans and waterways. A group of researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage are working to develop an environmentally friendly alternative. Listen now
Why is gas so expensive in Alaska?
Alaska has the lowest fuel tax yet some of the highest gas prices. We asked Larry Persily, former federal coordinator for Alaska natural gas projects: Why is it so expensive to fill up the tank in Alaska?
Video: How the landfill in Anchorage harvests gas from trash
Hundreds of landfills across the lower-48 have turned their decomposing trash piles into a source of energy. So far, there’s only one project in Alaska harnessing the power of trash to produce gas. Listen now
Video: How chilly seawater keeps an aquarium warm
The Alaska Sealife Center has managed to reduce its carbon footprint and cut its annual utility bills in half. The secret: In 2008, the aquarium used state and federal grants to install a seawater heat pump system.
VIDEO: After 15 years at BP, Brad Campbell is out of a job
Alaska has lost more than 2,000 jobs in the oil and gas industry since last year. One of those jobs belonged to Brad Campbell, who worked as a financial analyst at BP for more than 15 years.
Mushing Explained Video: Genetic super-dogs
How exactly are sled dogs different from typical house dogs? Dr. Stuart Nelson, the Iditarod’s chief veterinarian, compares dogs to NFL players. On a pro team, the sled dogs would be the wide receivers.
“They’re fast, they’re light on their feet. A lab would be more like a defensive tackle,” said Nelson.
Mushing Explained Video: Designing the perfect dog sled
Iditarod mushers are preparing for a particularly bumpy, brutal ride on the trail’s first leg on icy terrain with little snow. Many have modified their run strategies, and adjusted one of the main tools for keeping a competitive edge: their sleds. Many mushers say durability is trumping speed this year as they expect to take a beating along the early trail.
Mushing Explained Video: Feeding the furnace of elite Iditarod sled dogs
The lives of the 1,300 sled dogs running now to Nome have led up to this moment as they race to against the world’s best dogs and wiliest mushers. Years of training come down to a couple short weeks of elite performance, sometimes running more than 100 miles per day.
Alaska’s Budget is a Sandwich
Thanks to a drop in both oil prices and production, Alaska is facing another major budget deficit this year. Cutting spending, raising taxes, and dipping into the Permanent Fund are all on the table in this video.
Photographing the Universe
With the help of high-powered telescopes around the world, scientists can observe and photograph far-flung astronomical phenomena. Dr. Travis Rector has been capturing images of distant galaxies and nebulae for over 20 years, and he recently completed a book explaining the techniques he uses to create the photos.