To carry out salmon habitat measure, Alaska must decide what ‘significant’ means
Part of the uncertainty on how the salmon habitat initiative could affect things like small-scale hydro projects or mom-and-pop placer mines hinges on a single phrase in the ballot measure: "significant adverse effects." Listen now
Stranded seal gets first-class rescue in Unalaska
Most of the time, a seal in Unalaska doesn’t attract too much attention, but a ringed seal is a different story. The marine mammals live near ice and typically are found further north. When a sick ringed seal appeared and then vanished last week, the community united to find it. Listen now
Alaska Supreme Court weighs legality of Yes for Salmon ballot initiative
Yes for Salmon’s backers want Alaska to toughen the permitting process for mines, dams and other projects in salmon habitat. But during oral arguments, the state argued it goes against the state constitution because it forces the legislature to prioritize salmon habitat over other uses. Listen now
Using space-based radar, researchers develop new method for measuring Arctic lake methane emissions
Methane, which can trap 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide and contribute to global warming, has been hard to study in the Arctic.
Cook Inlet companies defend oil and gas tax credits
As Alaska continues to grapple with a major budget shortfall, one line item promises to be particularly controversial: tax credits for oil and gas producers.
After over 40 years at Prudhoe Bay, general store manager to retire
The North Slope community of Deadhorse is an unusual place. Its No. 1 purpose is to serve the oil field its next to: Prudhoe Bay. There are no houses, there's no downtown and no parks; just a series of industrial lots and gravel roads in the middle of the tundra. But Deadhorse does have a store. And the man who runs it is retiring this month, after 42 years. Listen now
What risk do hatchery fish pose to Prince William Sound’s pinks?
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game study is about to take a step toward answering a question central to the debate: do hatchery fish that spawn with wild populations pose a threat to those stocks? Listen now
What can unflappable geese teach us about the future of Arctic development?
Every summer, millions of migratory birds like the greater white-fronted goose descend on the National Petroleum Reserve, to lay eggs, molt their feathers and fatten up. A lot of the oil potential lies squarely in migratory bird habitat. Listen now
Newtok to ask Obama for federal disaster declaration
The village of Newtok plans to request a federal disaster declaration from President Barack Obama before he leaves office. The village is facing rapid erosion due to climate change, and officials say a disaster declaration may be the best chance to unlock federal funds for relocation before the existing village becomes uninhabitable. Listen Now
Irreversibility of climate change discussed at Arctic Science Summit
Government leaders and policymakers from circumpolar nations say they rely on the very best and latest science to make decisions about how to adapt to climate change and a rapidly warming Arctic. They converged in Fairbanks last week at the same time as one of the largest groups of Arctic scientists met to brainstorm on the next round of new research. Download Audio
Hilcorp announces project to bypass oil terminal by Redoubt volcano
An environmental group is praising oil and gas company Hilcorp after it announced a new pipeline project in Cook Inlet. Hilcorp said the project would eliminate the need to store oil at the Drift River Terminal. Listen now
Trump administration sued over Pacific walrus
The Center for Biological Diversity filed the lawsuit because the Pacific walrus wasn't granted an Endangered Species Act listing. Listen now
In Utqiaġvik, learning about climate change includes studying your backyard
In Alaska’s northernmost town, eighth grade students study climate change in a way that encompasses the global picture, but pays particular attention to what’s going on in their own backyard.
Photos: China Trade Mission
Alaska's Energy Desk's Rashah McChesney is in China covering Governor Walker's Opportunity Alaska: China Trade & Investment Mission 2018.
‘We’re never going to surrender’ — Sarah James on a life fighting oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge
Sarah James’ desire to preserve the Neets'aii Gwich'in way of life drove her into the thick of the battle over oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Gulf of Alaska cod appears likely to lose key sustainability label
Climate change is threatening Alaska’s longstanding reputation for sustainable fisheries.
Including seal oil in this food competition is about more than taste
The competition wasn’t just about awarding the traditional food. The event organizer says it’s also about a history of cultural resilience that still resonates today. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: The mind boggling rain of tropical storm Harvey
If you took all that water that has just fallen on Harris County and you put it right over the urban part of Anchorage it would be about 60 or 70 feet deep. It's an extraordinary amount of water that's fallen. Listen now
New analysis out on renewable energy costs in rural Alaska
"It shouldn't be used as a manual but it is a good place to start," lead researcher Erin Whitney said.
Voters may have ousted two of Alaska’s top legislators, as House remains up for grabs
Tuesday’s primary election didn’t answer one of the biggest questions about the future of the Alaska Legislature: whether the state House will stay under the control of a mostly-Democratic coalition next year. But it did yield several surprises, including three stunning upsets that could send two of the state’s most powerful legislators packing.