Alaska's Energy Desk

Alaska’s Energy Desk is a collaboration between KTOO-FM in Juneau, Alaska Public Media in Anchorage, KUCB in Unalaska, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks, KBRW in Utqiaġvik and KYUK in Bethel. Each week we produce in-depth coverage of energy issues in Alaska for radio, video and web. From the state budget to personal energy use, resource development to Arctic life, we cover how energy issues impact Alaskan lives and landscapes. Alaska’s Energy Desk is a Regional Journalism Collaboration, launched in 2016 with a supporting grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

LNG rail shipments to begin demonstrations

The Alaska Railroad will be the first to transport liquefied natural gas by rail in the United States. The Alaska Railroad Corporation was granted permission by the Federal Railroad Administration to move LNG last year and testing is slated to start next week. LISTEN NOW

At the top of the world, an international field school for research students

Earlier this month, the University of Alaska Fairbanks participated in an international field school in Utqiaġvik, giving early-career researchers a broad view of the Arctic coastal system and how it’s changing, along with some different methods for studying it. Listen now

To get good credit, Alaska’s fishing towns may have to factor in climate change

While the state’s credit rating may be safe as climate changes, fishing communities in Alaska face uncertain economic futures. Listen now

State reduces Hilcorp fine for worker safety incident

The state is fining oil and gas company Hilcorp $200,000 for a 2015 incident that nearly killed three workers on the North Slope. The final order amount, which was released today (Mar. 3), is a significant reduction from the $720,000 penalty the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission proposed last year. Listen now

EPA retiree has advice for Scott Pruitt on his way out the door

For most people, the last day on the job before retiring is a celebration. But Michael Cox capped off his career at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a scathing letter to agency head Scott Pruitt. Listen now

Environmental groups sue Trump administration to halt Arctic drilling project

A coalition of environmental groups are suing the Trump administration to challenge what would be the first oil production facility in Arctic federal waters, claiming the federal government's analysis leading to its approval was faulty.

In a rare case of river piracy, climate change is the culprit

Scientists are pointing to climate change as the reason a river that used to feed into the Yukon has nearly disappeared. Listen now

Alaska State Legislature urges Congress to address state ivory bans

The resolution takes aim at state laws like those in New York, California, Hawaii and Washington. Those states have passed broad anti-ivory laws in an attempt to combat the poaching of African elephants. Listen now

Four decisions in three weeks: How Trump is transforming Alaska

Blink and you might have missed it: In just three weeks, there was a profound shift in the landscape for energy and environmental issues in Alaska. Listen now

With replacements and resignation, Walker consolidates control of gas line project

You don't normally associate "state gas line corporation" and "drama" - but this weekend, the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corporation was the source of all kinds of drama. Download Audio:

Legislators quiz Alaska LNG project managers on progress

State-led Alaska gasline project leaders confident on progress, minimize tariff impact during legislative update. Listen now

Unions say pipeline operator risks spill in Prince William Sound

Two unions say the plan to bring in a Louisiana-based company to take over oil spill prevention and response in Prince William Sound risks another spill, 27 years after the Exxon Valdez. Download Audio

‘Life is going to spring back to us’: the sun returns to Utqiaġvik

“Life is going to spring back to us,” said Robin Mongoyak. “Spring is coming, summer is around the corner. Birds when they come in big flocks, it’s like thousands of people coming to greet us.”

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

Alaska LNG project president says he’s done ‘preaching to the non-believers’

The president of the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corporation says he's no longer bothering to convince skeptics that the project is real, and it's moving forward. Listen now

Hearing ends 26 years of litigation over Exxon Valdez oil spill

The state and federal governments have decided not to pursue a final $100-million from ExxonMobil over its 1989 oil spill in Prince William Sound. Download Audio
A side view of a polar bear in snow

New data on Chukchi Sea polar bears leads to subsistence harvest level increase

Native hunters in Alaska are about to see an increase in the number of polar bears they can harvest from the Chukchi Sea bear population. Listen now

Juneau schools leave room for debate in climate change curriculum

New science standards being considered don’t shy away from attributing it to an increase of human activity. But how that’s taught in the classroom could be up to interpretation. Listen now

How much oil is really in ANWR?

The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ranks as one of the most controversial chunks of land in Alaska. Since Congress set it aside for more study in 1980, environmental groups, politicians and the industry have battled over whether to explore for oil there or to protect the wilderness forever. Listen Now

With ANWR drilling on its doorstep, an Alaska Native village is poised to profit

It’s still too early to know if petroleum even exists in the refuge in commercially-viable quantities. But if it’s found, Kaktovik’s residents are simultaneously positioned to be among the biggest beneficiaries, and to experience some of the biggest disruptions.