Steve Heimel, APRN Contributor
sheimel (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8454 | About Steve
Oil Spill Lessons
In the 23 years since the tanker Exxon Valdez hit the reef, oil spill prevention has improved greatly in Alaska. Nobody wants another spill. But if it happens will we be ready to respond? Two years ago, a spill in the Gulf of Mexico showed there is still room for improvement.
KSKA: Tuesday, 3/20 at 10:00am
Big Energy Ideas
The biggest pipeline ever built is just the latest in a long list of huge energy projects that have been considered for Alaska. Meanwhile, fuel costs keep rising. The next “Talk of Alaska” will begin an examination of whether any of these big energy schemes are close to reality.
KSKA: Tuesday, 3/13 at 10:00am
Game Board OKs Helicopter Bear Hunt In Middle Kuskokwim Area
The state Game Board has given authority to the Fish and Game Department for helicopter bear hunting in the middle Kuskokwim area. Aerial wolf hunting was already allowed. The plan will allow the helicopter hunt starting next spring.
Problems of the Short Alaska Growing Season
Who could have predicted that twelve years into the new century fresh vegetables grown in Bethel would be on sale in Anchorage? Or that a cooking trend would combine with concerns about food security to prompt a thriving local food movement in Alaska’s urban restaurants? Alaskans love to talk about these issues, and with gardening season on its way, who would be better to talk with than an expert in high-latitude year-round gardening?
KSKA: Tuesday, March 6 at 10:00am
Part Two: Ocean Acidification
Yesterday in the first of a two-part series, APRN’s Steve Heimel reported on ocean acidification being observed along the shores of the West Coast. Acidification was found at the edge of the continental shelf in 2007, but this is the first time it’s been found in the rich inter-tidal zone close to shore.
Part One: Ocean Acidification
This summer scientists began to see acidic waters of the deep ocean moving ashore along the west coast. It’s still uncertain what this means for Alaska, where the ocean circulation is different. But measurements made here so far are not encouraging.
Taming the Iditarod Trail
The Iditarod Trail was once a way to reach mining communities. Most of that is long gone, but economic activity has been returning to the trail in recent years. A mining road will be used to replace a dangerous set of switchbacks this year, and that could be just the beginning.
VIDEO: Meet DeeDee Jonrowe's Lead Dog Omnistar
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/28 at 10:00am
SB53 Would Reestablish Alaska Commission on the Status of Women
Senate Bill 53 passed Wednesday in the state Senate. It would re-establish the Alaska Commission on the Status of Women, which was combined with the Alaska Human Relations Commission in 1993 and then that body was zeroed out of the budget.
Court Hears Arguments On Point Thompson Case
Wednesday the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the Point Thompson case — which could be critical for the future prospects of a natural gas pipeline and for the state’s ability to compel oil and gas lease holders to produce.
Eielson F-16s To Move To JBER
The Alaska congressional delegation and many of the state's political leaders are alarmed by the quick announcement by the Air Force that it intends to move its F-16 fighters from Eielson Air Force Base to Elmendorf.
Sheraton Hotel Ordered To Restore Work Rules For Union Employees
A federal judge has ordered the corporation that owns the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage to restore work rules for its union workers.
Brent Sass Leads Yukon Quest Mushers Into Circle
Nine teams arrived in Circle in the Yukon Quest early this morning, with Brent Sass in the lead. Followed by Hugh Neff, Sonny Lindner, Abbie West, Lance Mackey, Jake Berkowitz, Allen Moore, Kristy Berington, and David Dalton.
Two Sentenced To Life In Prison In Killing Of Hooper Bay Man
A Fairbanks judge has sentenced Jeffrey Hout of Bethel and Harry Williams of Kwethluk to life in prison in the beating death of Benjamin Kaiser of Hooper Bay back in 2010.
Subsidized Air Travel In Alaska Included in FAA Reauthorization Bill
Federally subsidized air travel in Alaska is no longer under the threat of congressional budget cutting. Friday, the U.S. House passed a compromised version of the Federal Aviation Administration re-authorization bill. It keeps the Essential Air Service subsidy in place for rural Alaska communities, and it funds a number of airport improvements.
A Living Future
In Alaska it may be out of reach to design a Zero Net Energy home – one that generates as much energy as it uses. But there is no doubt we can do better than the typical “HUD Homes” built in many of our rural communities. How much better, Jason McLennan, author of “The Philosphy of Sustainable Design,” will tell us on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/7 @ 10:00am
Missing Snowmachiner’s Body Found
Jed Alexie's body was found yesterday. The Nunapitchuk 20-year old went missing early Wednesday morning in poor weather on a snowmachine trip to Tooksook Bay.
Enstar Sold to AltaGas
Enstar, the natural gas utility in the Cook Inlet area, is being sold to a Canadian corporation. Enstar belongs to Semco Energy, which in turn was owned by Continental Energy Systems in Michigan.
New Rule Means Little Immediate Change For The Tongass
The Obama administration last week announced a new planning rule for national forests, and today said the Chugach National Forest will be among the first where the new rule will be used.
Man Stabbed At Inlet Inn Hotel
There was another stabbing in Anchorage last night. Charged with assault is Jackie Adams, 50, who is accused of stabbing Andrew Wilson, 50, at the downtown Inlet Inn hotel in a dispute over the bill for the room Adams was holding a drinking party in.
Parnell, Delegation Respond To Possible Military Base Closures
The Parnell administration and all three members of the state’s congressional delegation were quick to respond to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s announcement last week that President Obama will seek another round of military base closures.