From permafrost to polar bears, draft report evaluates Alaska gasline’s environmental impact
The report concludes the $43 billion export project could have significant impacts on the environment — but would be a boost for state and local economies
Pebble CEO and opponent debate whether mine proposal is ‘the nose under the camel’s tent’
The CEO of the Pebble Limited Partnership and a prominent Pebble opponent debated a key point of contention about the proposed mine: its size.
Planning for 2019 NPR-A oil lease sale begins as feds pursue opening more Arctic land to drilling
The Interior department is re-evaluating the management plan for the reserve, aiming to open up land that's currently off-limits to oil leasing.
As sea ice changes in a warming Arctic, new challenges for polar bear research
“There’s probably going to be a greater amount of uncertainty with some of the information that we’re able to provide, because it’s simply not going to be as precise as it used to be,” said wildlife biologist Todd Atwood.
In rural Alaska, school districts deal with a legacy of unaddressed contamination
Typically, when a contaminated site is discovered it’s up to the landowner — or the person responsible for making the mess — to clean it up. But there are dozens of sites where this process has broken down.
Village of Igiugig one step closer to replacing diesel electricity with hydrokinetic system
“One year from now, we’ll know whether the community would like to own this device,” says IVC President AlexAnna Salmon. “If it really is going to prove itself to be an effective option for providing power.”
ConocoPhillips picks up another oil prospect west of Prudhoe Bay
ConocoPhillips announced it intends to buy 21,000 acres from Caelus Natural Resources, which includes the Nuna oil discovery.
For Quinhagak, climate change means they may have to move
In Western Alaska, accelerating erosion is forcing several villages to consider moving. In Quinhagak, a village on the Bering Sea, erosion is threatening the sewer lagoon and the building that houses its washeteria and health clinic.
‘Pretty unbelievable,’ says Kotlik hunter who helped document recent spike in seal deaths
Harold Okitkun counted 18 dead seals north of Kotlik — a number he says he’s never seen or heard of other people in the village seeing.
Unusually high number of seal deaths reported along the coast of the Bering and Chukchi Seas
“We don’t know if it’s lack of sea ice, or if there was a harmful algal bloom,” said Julie Speegle with NOAA Fisheries. “There’s quite a range of factors.”
Goat yoga? In Fairbanks, there’s a new animal to flow with: reindeer
“You’ll see the reindeer getting into these amazing poses,” said Jane Atkinson, owner of Running Reindeer Ranch. “And it’s like wow…. Look at this little yoga move that they do!”
As the Alaska Legislature fights over the budget, a decades-old accounting quirk takes on new importance
At Alaska’s state Capitol this week, there’s a lot of talk about something called “the sweep.” What is it, and why is it such a big deal this year?
Could Arctic warming be behind gray whale deaths in Alaska, and elsewhere? Here’s why scientists are asking.
Scientists aren't calling climate change or declining sea ice the smoking gun yet. But they’ve seen enough other events that have come along with Arctic warming, like sea bird die-offs, that they’re asking questions.
Alaska schools now have more guidance on how to teach science in the classroom
The Alaska State Board of Education unanimously approved new science standards on Friday, which are more detailed about topics like climate change and evolution than standards previously recommended for schools.
Can the youth climate lawsuit go to trial? A federal appeals court will rule.
“The courts’ view of it is that the case is unusual enough and novel enough that it would be wise to resolve some of the legal uncertainty before trial rather than after,” said environmental law professor Sean Hecht.
A stretch of the Denali Park Road sits atop a creeping landslide. And it’s picking up speed.
Officials at Denali National Park and Preserve are studying whether the existing path of the park’s 92-mile road can be spared from a creeping landslide, in what scientists say could be a preview of Denali’s future as its permafrost thaws.
This ice cream stand was constructed out of local wood. Here’s why that’s unique.
There are still questions about how to make the young growth timber industry viable in Southeast Alaska. But some customers are seeking out the material.
Remove your rings and get out your card blanket: A table-side view of one of Utqiaġvik’s most animated card games
In Utqiaġvik, snerts is one of the most popular games in town. Die-hard enthusiasts play on a regular basis, and there’s even an annual spring tournament.
Federal researchers open formal investigation into gray whale deaths, including Alaska’s
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Friday that the 70 dead whales seen this year it constitutes an "unusual mortality event."
BP and ExxonMobil commit up to $20 million to Alaska LNG
It’s the first time in years that private industry in the state has pitched in money to move the gasline project forward