Governor floats idea of head tax to end legislative stalemate
After an entire regular session and more than half a special session gone with no deal on a state budget, Governor Bill Walker met with legislative leaders today (Mon., June 5) to roll out a compromise package.
Caelus postpones appraisal well for big North Slope oil discovery
Caelus Energy, the company behind what could be Alaska's biggest oil discovery since the 1960s, will not be drilling a well to confirm the find this winter, as originally planned.
Why Alaska utilities can build now, ask for rate increases later
Alaska’s privately owned electric utilities can’t increase their rates overnight. They first have to go through a process with the state’s regulatory commission to demonstrate a need. That’s what Juneau’s utility — AEL&P — is at the beginning stages of doing. But customers get little say about projects already on the books. Listen Now
The man with the plan: Can Keith Meyer sell the gas line?
As the state of Alaska takes the lead in the effort to build a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope, it finds itself taking responsibility for what would be one of the largest, most complex projects in the world. The man in charge is Keith Meyer, the new president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.
Man on a mission: Gov. Walker and the gas line
The announcement this summer that Alaska will pursue a state-owned natural gas pipeline is a major U-turn after more than a decade of negotiations with the big three North Slope oil companies.
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.
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Same but different: how Alaska and Norway are handling low oil prices
An oil-dependent economy straddling the Arctic Circle, battered by low prices but sitting on a massive savings account: that could describe Alaska -- but it also describes Norway. Download Audio
39 years in the making, Exxon hopes Point Thomson is down payment on a gas line
When it's fully online, it'll send about 10,000 barrels a day of diesel-like oil down the trans-Alaska pipeline. But Exxon sees the field as a down payment on a much bigger prize: a North Slope gas line. Download Audio
A wrench and a spark shut down TAPS for nine hours
A worker with a hand-wrench sparked the fire that shut down the trans-Alaska pipeline for nine hours in April. The fire forced the evacuation of more than 50 people at a remote pump station near Coldfoot. Download Audio
State fines Hilcorp $20K, cites pattern of violations
Hilcorp Alaska is facing a $20,000 penalty from the state for unsafe use of equipment on the North Slope. It's the latest in a string of violations for Hilcorp, which a state agency says has developed a pattern of regulatory noncompliance.
For first time, Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale has no bidders
State officials announced this week that, for the first time ever, they received no bids for the annual oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet. The state Division of Oil and Gas blamed low oil prices. But industry representatives said lawmakers aren't helping. Download Audio
Point Thomson gas development begins production on North Slope
The Point Thomson gas development on the North Slope has started production. In a web release, ExxonMobil states it will initially produce 5000 barrels per day of gas condensate and 100 million cubic feet per day of recycled gas that will be re-injected for future recovery. Download Audio
ConocoPhillips to add wells at CD5 site in Alpine Field
Oil development is ramping up in the National Petroleum Reserve. ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. says it's adding wells and other infrastructure at its CD5 site in the Alpine Field. Download Audio
Trans-Alaska Pipeline up and running after tank fire the previous day
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is back in operation following a tank fire that shut it down for 9 hours yesterday. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company spokeswoman Michelle Egan said workers at Pump Station 5 saw flames coming from a large crude oil storage tank at Pump Station 5 at the base of Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range around 2:20 Wednesday afternoon. Download Audio
How Murkowski crafted an energy bill that 80 senators have a stake in
The U.S. Senate is the final resting place for a lot of legislation, but today it passed a broad energy bill. It's passage is a political coup for its sponsor, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who says she had lots of co-authors. Download Audio
U.S. Senate passes Murkowski’s energy modernization bill
The U.S. Senate this morning passed Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s energy modernization bill, by a vote of 85-12.
Renewable Energy Fund, casualty of budget crunch, may get new lifeline
Since 2008, Alaska's Renewable Energy Fund has supported scores of projects around the state. But so far, it has not been included in this year's budget. Download Audio
Industry calls Senate oil tax credit bill “bad for Alaska”
As the Alaska House continues its marathon debate on the oil and gas tax credit bill, the Senate is moving its own version forward, hoping to beat the clock with just four days left.
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Oil and gas tax credit debate rages ahead of legislative session end
The House spent six hours debating oil and gas tax credits Tuesday night. And they’re not done yet – lawmakers will pick up the bill again Wednesday. Download Audio
Alaska House postpones vote on oil tax bill – again
For the second time in two days, House lawmakers have postponed a final vote on Gov. Bill Walker's controversial oil tax bill, a cornerstone of the governor's efforts to close the state's $4 billion budget deficit. Download Audio