From natural gas to psychedelic medicine, a look at some of the bills filed ahead of Alaska’s legislative session
Ahead of their return to the Capitol, lawmakers are using pre-session bill filings to lay out priorities for the months to come.
Rural Chugach Electric customers deal with ‘excessive’ winter outages
The utility says the primary culprit is the above-average snowfall that has impacted all of Southcentral Alaska this winter.
As Conoco’s Willow project advances, 2 local governments have withdrawn their criticism
Nuiqsut's tribal and city councils last year blasted the “endless expansion of oil development and the complete encirclement of our village."
Oil field road traffic disrupts North Slope caribou more than previously recognized
A new study adds to mounting evidence about caribou sensitivity to roads, raising questions about further development in their habitat.
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative proposes nearly 15% average rate increase
President and CEO Bill Stamm said that the cooperative is proposing a rate increase because “everything is more expensive.”
State expects Willow and Pikka to push oil production up 30% by 2032
Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle told lawmakers he expects a more than 30% production increase by the start of the 2033 fiscal year.
Anchorage, Mat-Su utilities disagree with Eklutna village on full dam removal to restore namesake river
The public has until Feb. 19 to comment on the utilities’ hydro project river repair plan, which is much more modest.
Political pressure builds as state-led Alaska LNG project goes another year without a deal
Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants to spend another $4.5 million on marketing and development the project. But lawmakers sound increasingly skeptical.
Chugach Electric offers its support for renewable energy benchmarks
A renewable portfolio standard would require Railbelt utilities to ramp up renewables. Chugach is the first Railbelt utility to publicly back it.
Gas leak triggers chain of power outages spanning from Anchorage to the Mat-Su
Utilities say a 25-minute outage early Thursday at the Eklutna Generation Station triggered outages across the Railbelt to prevent a blackout.
Southcentral Alaska gas utility says high demand is straining gas storage system
“This is the most strained I’ve seen the system,” ENSTAR President John Sims said at a press conference Thursday.
Kensington Mine cuts 20% of pay for some hourly employees, citing financial woes
In a memo sent in early January, the mine’s general manager said the mine will struggle to remain viable if it does not find ways to reduce costs.
Alaska’s recent cold snap tested critical infrastructure, including in Mertarvik
The entire community was without electricity for more than three days, as subzero temperatures sapped the local generator's batteries.
Hilcorp fined $260K for missing well integrity test on Alaska’s North Slope
Thursday's penalty came two days after the oil company was fined $452,100 over unauthorized injections into Prudhoe Bay Unit oil pools.
Cook Inlet gas crunch likely to push up prices as lawmakers search for solutions
The state’s largest gas utility is warning that shortfalls could come as soon as next year – and imports are years off.
Bill to provide free access to Cook Inlet seismic surveys moves forward
House Resources Committee chair Rep. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, said he believes the proposal could spur more drilling.
Eklutna hydro owners say they won’t extend wildlife restoration process
Stakeholders who have fundamental objections have little time for further negotiation, and little recourse but federal court.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s plan to lease land for carbon storage comes with questions
Analysts say estimates that the state could earn hundreds millions from leases are overpromising.
USDA boosts energy grants to help rural businesses, farmers, others
The federal Department of Agriculture is offering grants to help people who live and work in Alaska’s rural areas reduce their energy costs.
Unalaska positions to walk away from geothermal agreement
A Friday memo from Unalaska's administration advises against renewing a power purchase agreement in the Makushin Volcano geothermal project.