Rashah McChesney, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau
Rashah McChesney is a photojournalist turned radio journalist who has been telling stories in Alaska since 2012. Before joining Alaska's Energy Desk , she worked at Kenai's Peninsula Clarion and the Juneau bureau of the Associated Press. She is a graduate of Iowa State University's Greenlee Journalism School and has worked in public television, newspapers and now radio, all in the quest to become the Swiss Army knife of storytellers.
For the first time, Pick.Click.Give. donations take a dip
It has been a difficult year for nonprofits. The state’s budget is shrinking. Alaskans’ wallets are emptying. And, for the first time since Alaskans began donating in 2009, the Alaska Community Foundation’s Pick.Click.Give. program saw a drop in donations. Listen Now
Nikiski residents in limbo after LNG land grab
Over the last two years, the Alaska LNG project bought about 630 acres of land in Nikiski, on the Kenai Peninsula. That’s where the state and its partners hoped to build a giant natural gas liquefaction plant — and several homes were razed. Listen Now
49 Voices: Kate Mongeon of Eureka
This week we're hearing from Kate Mongeon in Eureka. Mongeon works and lives at the Eureka Roadhouse. Listen Now
Workers hopeful as Agrium takes steps to reopen its Kenai Peninsula plant
The Agrium natural gas-to-fertilizer plant in Nikiski has been taking steps to reopen. If it does, it could add hundreds of high-paying jobs to the struggling Kenai Peninsula economy. Listen Now
In Asia, Walker’s gasline team gets audience but no deals
Gov. Bill Walker and several of his energy advisers returned this week from a journey to Singapore and South Korea. Listen Now
Fishermen, state, in flux after circuit court overturns state control of Cook Inlet salmon
In Cook Inlet, managing the salmon runs for commercial, sport and subsistence interests is so controversial, it’s often called a fish war.
Alaskans weigh in on this year’s smaller dividend check
It’s PFD announcement day in Alaska — but it’s a little less exciting than usual. That’s because this year, for the first time in the program’s history, it’s been cut. Governor Bill Walker announced in a pre-recorded video on Friday exactly how much Alaskans would receive in this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend check: $1,022.
In latest high-profile resignation, head of state’s oil and gas division quits
The state’s top oil and gas regulator is stepping down. Corri Feige emailed colleagues Tuesday saying her last day is Oct. 3.
Pipeline Promises: Alaska’s quest for a natural gas line
For more than forty years, the state has tried, and failed, to bring natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope to market.
In all, there have been at least ten different versions of the pipeline mega project. And not one has come close to breaking ground.
This week, Alaska's Energy Desk is examining some of the reasons why the state has struck out in its efforts to bring it's substantial natural gas reserves to market.
LISTEN NOW
New Attorney General weighs in against ExxonMobil’s tactics fighting climate change investigations
Since last November, ExxonMobil has been the target of a growing number of state attorneys general investigating whether the company lied about its research about climate change. Listen now
Three votes separate candidates in Arctic House race
Only three votes now separate two northern Alaska House candidates. Listen now
Uptick in oil prices helps Alaska’s bottom line, but not much
Oil prices were up for the third straight week last week. Listen now
In race for North Slope House seat, difference in votes is a handful
A hotly contested race in the North Slope and Northwest Arctic Borough has two bush Democrats within five votes of each other. Listen now
At DNR, new leader tackles ‘maze’ of oil and gas development on federal land
From Soldotna to the North Slope to Anchorage, the state’s newest natural resources commissioner has spent his career weighing in on energy issues all over the state. Now, Andy Mack has been tapped by Gov. Bill Walker to help guide the state through the maze of federal regulations required to develop oil and gas resources. Listen now
In Bethel House race, candidates question Democratic cred
Candidates question party loyalty in Bethel-area House race. Listen now
State responds to two oil spills at Drift River in Cook Inlet
State regulators are monitoring the cleanup of two small oil spills at a storage site on the west side of Cook Inlet. Listen now
New atlas maps Alaska’s surface
Federal and state researchers teamed up to make it easier for everyone to find out what's in the dirt in Alaska. For the first time in nearly 40 years, Alaska has an updated atlas of the chemical composition of its earth, rocks and minerals. Listen now
Why Juneau’s rape stats tripled in one year
The number of reported rapes in Juneau nearly tripled from 2014 to 2015. That increase is from more rapes being reported, but also because the Juneau Police Department had been under-counting rapes in its annual report. Listen now
EPA fines BP, Hilcorp for spills on the North Slope
BP Exploration Alaska and Hilcorp Alaska have agreed to pay fines after spilling oil and waste on the North Slope. Listen now
Walker draws criticism for oil tax credit vetoes
Two former commissioners and several lawmakers are criticizing Gov. Bill Walker’s decision to veto more than $430 million from the state’s budget. The money would have gone to pay tax credits to oil companies. Listen now