“Doesn’t he know it’s frozen?” How Alaska almost overlooked Prudhoe Bay
You could argue — and a lot of people do — that Alaska would be a completely different place if it weren’t for a man named Tom Marshall.
Alaska governor creates oversight committee for BP sale
“The purpose is to make sure the State of Alaska and its people are represented as this transaction moves forward,” said the governor’s office.
Interior official: ‘millions’ more acres in NPR-A to open for oil development
An Interior Department official says the Trump administration is moving to open "millions" more acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, or NPR-A, to oil development. Listen now
Draft Walker climate policy urges Alaska to transition away from fossil fuels
The first recommendations from Gov. Bill Walker’s climate task force run the gamut — from putting a price on carbon to supporting a more diversified economy and improving how climate change is taught in schools. Listen now
Geology gets political as federal scientists pursue new ANWR oil assessment
David Houseknecht works for the U.S. Geological Survey, and he's trying to figure out two key questions: How much oil is in the Arctic Refuge, and where is it? The answers could decide ANWR's fate, no matter how the politics play out. Listen now
Tesoro settlement resolves alleged Clean Air Act violations
As part of a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice, the Tesoro refinery in Nikiski will spend millions of dollars to reduce emissions that are potentially harmful to public health and the environment.
New legislation introduced in Congress aims to strengthen Roadless Rule
Under the proposed Roadless Area Conservation Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture wouldn’t have the authority to grant an Alaska-specific exemption to the Roadless Rule.
Despite shutdown, Trump administration continues work to begin oil drilling in ANWR
As the partial government shutdown drags on, the Trump administration is making sure some Interior Department employees continue work on one of its biggest, most controversial priorities: opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
Cleaner electricity for Peninsula village to arrive by way of Anchorage
The Native Village of Perryville on the Alaska Peninsula has a new power generator. It will help the village use more renewable power and save on costs. Contractors have almost finished putting it together –- but at the moment, it’s almost 500 miles away from its destination. Listen now
King Cove and feds reach deal on controversial road
The city of King Cove has reached a deal with the Trump administration to build a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, according to the city. Listen now
Caelus Energy announces major cuts, sharply criticizes Walker oil tax bill
The North Slope oil producer announced Friday it will lay off 25 percent of its 80-person work force and suspend drilling at the Oooguruk oil field, potentially affecting hundreds more contractor jobs.
Runaway melt: Alaska permafrost is thawing even in winter
When you think of carbon emissions, you probably think of the exhaust that comes from your car. But it comes from the ground, too. Listen now
Why a Bahamas tanker is carrying North Slope crude
A foreign-owned tanker is expected to transport North Slope crude to Asia in the coming weeks. BP has shipped its oil overseas before, but it’s been decades since it was on a tanker built and managed outside the U.S. Listen now
Diving for answers: Will blue king crab come back in the Pribilofs?
In the Pribilof Islands, no one’s gotten an accurate count of blue king crab since the population crashed hard in the 1980s. This summer, a marine biologist is trying to change that, with the species’ first in-depth study in more than 30 years. His ultimate goal: determine if blue crab can make a comeback — or if it’s gone for good. Listen now
Lawmakers: TransCanada buyout likely, but is state ready?
Lawmakers say it’s all but inevitable they'll approve the governor’s request to buy out TransCanada and take a larger stake in the Alaska LNG project. But they are raising concerns about the state’s ability to take the company’s place.
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State calls a truce in Prudhoe Bay dispute
Gov. Bill Walker’s administration has called a truce in its dispute with the big three North Slope oil producers over plans for Prudhoe Bay.
Calista shareholders voice dissent over Donlin Mine in letter to board
More than 130 female Calista shareholders signed a letter sent to the Calista Native Corporation protesting the proposed Donlin gold mine.
Ask a Climatologist: The sun is back and so is winter melt
March has brought sun to much of the state. But not a lot of warm temperatures. That weather combination prompted a listener to email to ask why some ice and snow is disappearing, even though it’s well below freezing outside. Listen now
Alaska’s pro-oil Republican governor is quietly pushing green energy projects too
Even as climate change threatens to impose steep costs in Alaska, Dunleavy is still promoting the state's oil industry.
But he says he's excited by the plummeting cost of renewable power sources, and their potential to bring down electricity prices and recruit more business to the state.
Ask a Climatologist: Rainy…even by Ketchikan standards
Most places in Alaska are wetter than normal for August, but it's been especially rainy in Ketchikan. Listen now