Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage
Rachel Waldholz covers energy and the environment for Alaska's Energy Desk, a collaboration between Alaska Public Media, KTOO in Juneau and KUCB in Unalaska. Before coming to Anchorage, she spent two years reporting for Raven Radio in Sitka. Rachel studied documentary production at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and her short film, A Confused War won several awards. Her work has appeared on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Marketplace, among other outlets.
rwaldholz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8432 | About Rachel
rwaldholz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8432 | About Rachel
In Newtok, residents worry the encroaching river will destroy a way of life
When the river takes the first houses, the village could start to scatter. And Newtok’s blend of the modern and traditional could erode away with the land. Listen now
Major climate report warns of rapid change, potential tipping points
One climate scientist says the report can be summarized in one sentence: "Climate is changing, humans are responsible, the risks are real, and the window of time to fix this thing is narrowing fast." Listen now
Ocean acidification threatens Bering Sea crabs. But can they adapt?
Researchers warn that populations of red king crab in the Bering Sea could collapse by the end of the century. But it's possible the crabs might be able to evolve -- and adapt to the changing oceans. Listen now
Gov. Walker announces new climate change task force
The 15-person "Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team" will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, and will propose a climate change action plan. Those recommendations are due by September 2018. Listen now
Young Alaskans sue the state, demanding action on climate change
The plaintiffs argue that by encouraging oil development and permitting projects that emit greenhouse gases, Alaska is actively making climate change worse – and violating their constitutional rights. Listen now
Murkowski’s message at AFN? “Climate change is real.”
Delegates passed a resolution asking the federal government to make climate impacts in rural villages eligible for disaster relief, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski told the convention, "Climate change is real." Listen now
Newtok says state agency blocked access to disaster funding
The money Newtok was counting on will likely go to Butte and Sutton, in the Mat-Su Borough, instead. Listen now
Climate change roundtable puts Alaska contradictions on full display
Representatives from the oil and gas and mining industries joined environmentalists and local community leaders to spitball solutions. Listen now
Walker administration appoints climate adviser, promises new policy “soon”
Nikoosh Carlo began work this month in a newly created position: senior adviser for climate. Listen now
What can Kodiak teach the world about renewable energy? A lot.
It's a model with lessons for remote communities from the Arctic to the equator - and for cities on the big grids of the Lower 48, from New York to Houston. Listen now
With some sci-fi tech, Kodiak has almost 100 percent renewable power
It's like a dance, or an orchestra: Each piece of the grid watches the rest and responds second by second, millisecond by millisecond. Listen now
National labs to field test microgrid tech in Cordova
Several national labs and universities will partner with the Alaska community of Cordova to field test new technologies on the city’s power grid. Listen now
Can an Anchorage start-up lure renewable energy investors to rural Alaska?
Most renewable energy projects in rural Alaska have been funded with state and federal grants. But as state money dries up, an Anchorage start-up wants to bring private investors to the table. Listen now
Tillerson proposes scrapping Arctic and climate envoys
The proposal comes just months after Tillerson visited Alaska and spoke about the importance of the Arctic. Some worry it’s a sign the Trump administration will be less engaged in the region.
As sea ice recedes, walruses gather near Point Lay earlier than ever
Several hundred Pacific walrus are hauled out on a barrier island near the village of Point Lay, on the Chukchi Sea coast. It's the earliest such haul out since the walrus first started showing up in 2007 -- and may be linked to this year's rapidly retreating Arctic sea ice. Listen now
Sweeping government climate report warns of rapid warming in Alaska, Arctic
A new government report warns that regions across the U.S. are feeling the effects of rapid climate change, with some of the greatest impacts in Alaska and the Arctic. And it states the evidence that human activity is driving climate change is stronger than ever. Listen now
Cordova hosts U.S. Senate field hearing on microgrids
Abraham Ellis is with the Sandia National Labs in New Mexico.
“We are interested in those technologies to figure out ways to improve the energy resilience for cities,” he said. “For defense applications, and things like that, that really need to keep on going with electricity supply, even if the normal grid fails for whatever reason.”
Murkowski calls Comey testimony on Trump “troubling”
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski says she finds last week’s testimony from fired FBI Director James Comey “troubling.”
Alaska officials show no strong response to U.S. leaving the Paris accords
President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord drew muted reactions from Alaska officials on Thursday. Listen now
Tillerson gets earful on climate change from Arctic governments
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson got an earful from governments around the Arctic today — on the topic of climate change. Listen now