Libby Casey, APRN
lcasey (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | About Libby
Parnell Plans Aggressive Push for ANWR and APR-A Development
Governor Parnell announced plans on Thursday to aggressively push oil development on state lands and waters including areas next to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska.
Juneau Will Retain Mail Processing Center
The U.S. Postal Service was considering closing Juneau’s mail processing center and transferring its operations to Anchorage, but it’s nixed the idea.
U.S. House Rejects Cutting Funding to Offensive in Libya
In a surprising turn of events Friday, the U.S. House rejected a measure to cut off funding for the U.S. offensive in Libya.
Obama’s Oil Release Dismays Alaska’s Congressional Delegation
Alaska’s Congressional Delegation is unilaterally dismayed at President Obama’s decision Thursday to tap into the nation’s emergency oil reserves.
Troop Draw-Down Concerns Alaska’s Congressional Delegation
Alaska’s Congressional delegation reacted with some concern Thursday about just what the President’s planned draw down of troops in Afghanistan will mean for Alaskan soldiers.
President Announces Planned Troop Draw-Down in Afghanistan
President Obama announced, Wednesday evening, a plan to begin drawing down troops in Afghanistan - 33,000 of them by this time next year. Alaska’s Senators both said the draw-down must be done in such a way that does not leave the remaining American forces high and dry.
House Votes to Bar FDA Approval of ‘Frankenfish’
The U.S. House has voted to bar the Food and Drug Administration from approving genetically modified salmon for human consumption. Alaska Representative Don Young sponsored the amendment, which passed by voice vote Wednesday night and is part of a farm spending bill.
Congressional Delegates Divided on Likelihood of Gas Pipeline
The dream of getting a gas pipeline to connect Alaska’s North Slope with the Lower 48 is an old one, and in recent years, it’s seemed closer than ever. But even as the company TransCanada works toward building a line, skepticism is mounting among some members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation that a project will happen any time soon, if at all.
Annual Finances Released by Congressional Delegates
Alaskans got their annual glance at the personal finances of the state’s Congressional delegation on Wednesday. And they found Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young earning extra money from a range of investments that included stocks and real estate.
House Votes to Bar FDA Approval of Genetically Modified Salmon
The U.S. House has voted to bar the Food and Drug Administration from approving genetically modified salmon for human consumption.
Congress Members’ Financial Disclosure Forms Made Public
Alaska’s congressional delegation annual financial disclosure forms were made public Wednesday.
Gates Says Soldiers in Afghanistan Will Not Be Under-Funded
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says soldiers, including Alaskans, fighting in Afghanistan will not be given short-shrift during the coming troop draw-down. Gates assured Senator Lisa Murkowski Wednesday that a reduction in money for the Afghanistan War effort will not leave soldiers under-funded or under-supported.
Senators Split Vote on Ethanol Subsidies
Alaska’s U.S. Senators split their votes Tuesday on whether to consider getting rid of the hefty subsides that go to ethanol producers. Senator Lisa Murkowski says it’s time to discontinue the ethanol tax credit and import tariffs prized by farming states.
White House Creates Rural Council
The White House established a Rural Council on Thursday, the first of its kind, focused on rural America and its economy. President Obama signed an executive order calling for a group of two dozen administration officials, including cabinet secretaries, to sit on the advisory group.
Senators Warn Against Letting Coastal Zone Management Program Die
Alaska’s U.S. Senators are continuing to warn the state that letting the Coastal Zone Management Program die could have dire consequences.
New Bill Would Force EPA to Move on Off-Shore Drilling Permits
A U.S. House Committee passed legislation on Thursday, June 2, that would speed up the permitting process for Shell Oil to drill off Alaska’s coast. The bill pushed by Republicans gained the support of five Democrats and passed the Energy and Commerce Committee 34 to 14. It would force the Environmental Protection Agency to move on permits, and would loosen air pollution standards for offshore drilling projects.
Washington DC Turns Attention to Alaska’s Other Minerals
Alaska is often mentioned as rich in oil and gas and deposits of gold, but today in Washington, the state’s potential for mining of rare earth elements took center stage. The valuable minerals are used in all sorts of industries, and Congress wants the U.S. to start producing more.
Natural Resources Commissioner Educates Washington DC About Alaska
Alaska’s Commissioner of the Natural Resources Department was in the nation’s capital today, playing a role very familiar with Alaskan politicos: educating Washington about home.
Obamas Pick for Commerce Department Head Draws Fire from Murkowski
The President’s new pick to head the Commerce Department, John Bryson, quickly drew fire from Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. Bryson was head of the largest utility in the U.S., but what Murkowski objects to is the fact that he was one of the founders of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Young Votes Against Raising Debt Ceiling
Alaska Representative Don Young voted last night with the rest of U.S. House Republicans against raising the debt ceiling. But he’s skipping a meeting this morning between the House GOP and the President to talk over debt and the budget. His staff did not give a reason.