State wants to stop billing homeowners for tech support after spills
On average, getting technical support from employees in the state’s Division of Spill Prevention and Response can cost between $100-$150 an hour. Listen now
State coffers won’t cover cost of cleanup if oil companies walk away
The agency that oversees oil and gas drilling in the state says it doesn’t collect nearly enough money to clean up wells in case companies walk away. Regulators say the recent influx of small, private companies means Alaska risks shouldering the cost of abandoned wells. State lawmakers are receptive to addressing the issue. Listen now
Judge blocks Trump administration move to undo Obama ban on Arctic oil leasing
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason, in an opinion released late Friday, said President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by issuing an executive order in 2017 that reopened large parts of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas to offshore oil leasing. Former President Barack Obama had protected those areas from development in his second term.
As Anchorage warms, wintertime is defined by ice as much as snow
For many in Anchorage, winter and its accompanying outdoor opportunities are something to relish rather than escape. But residents of the state’s largest city are being forced to renegotiate their relationship with winters.
Divisions deepen as lawmakers tinker with Alaska’s oil tax credits
Ranking members of both the Senate and the House seem to agree that the state needs to break free of a system that will leave it owing nearly $700 million in cash payments to oil companies by the end of the year. But Senate Republicans have completely rewritten the House’s version of a reform bill. Listen now
Exxon’s Tillerson, Trump’s choice for State Dept., has history in Alaska
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his nominee for secretary of state. National attention has focused on Tillerson’s close ties to Russia, but he – and his company – also has a long history in Alaska. Listen Now
Study links Alaska seals’ waning health to warming Arctic
A new study has found evidence connecting the rapid warming of the region with a physical decline in three species of Alaska seals.
A warming Arctic means a change of plans for offshore drilling project
As the Arctic warms, Hilcorp is already having to tweak its proposal to accommodate climate change. And future companies looking to drill offshore in the Arctic may have additional changes to plan for. Listen now
Hilcorp revived this declining North Slope oil field. Can it do the same for Prudhoe Bay?
While many North Slope fields are only the decline, production at Hilcorp's Milne Point has actually increased by huge amounts. Now, the company is acquiring the massive Prudhoe Bay field, raising hopes of a similar revival there.
Hilcorp CEO steps down
Hildebrand is known for being among the wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth of $7.6 billion, according to Bloomberg. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: Bitter cold makes a comeback in Alaska
Alaska has settled into a notable stretch of seriously cold weather. Communities around the state are enduring low temperatures they haven’t seen in a few years. And for more than a week, the average statewide temperature index has registered below normal- by far the longest stretch this year. Listen Now
BlueCrest Energy updates drilling plans
BlueCrest Energy, the company drilling for oil north of Anchor Point, gave an update on their effort at a forum in Kenai last week. Download Audio
Cash from Congress will boost Alaska-based system that protects planes from volcanic ash
A $12 million budget boost from Congress will help modernize the instruments that protect transcontinental jet planes from threats posed by volcanic ash. Listen now
Protesters target SAExploration in Texas over Arctic Refuge
A group of Native American protesters went to the offices of SAExploration in Houston today to object to work the company wants to do in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Repairs begin on Hilcorp’s leaking Cook Inlet gas line
Dive teams are finally working to repair Hilcorp’s leaking natural gas pipeline in Cook Inlet. Listen now
Timeline extended for state takeover of Alaska LNG project
The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation is still trying to broker a deal to take over the Alaska LNG project, but it will not happen by its self-imposed end-of-the-year deadline. Listen Now
Alaska’s secret Cold War export? Shellfish toxin for the CIA.
In May 1960, Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union during a high-altitude reconnaissance mission. In his pocket was a modified silver dollar containing a hidden needle loaded with a lethal dose of shellfish toxin.
Conoco shelves proposal to build a temporary island after criticisms from North Slope
Conoco says this is how the environmental review process is supposed to work: Communities provide input, and companies respond.
What enviros won by losing the pipeline battle
With the pipeline turning 40, a look back at how Big Green fought Big Oil, how that fight transformed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and why Congress ever agreed to it.
What caused the Blob? Scientists conclude, we did
In 2014, a warm water system — known as the Blob — wreaked havoc in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Listen now