Energy

All Alaska energy news, including mining, oil and gas, green energy. (These stories are also categorized as “economy”.)

a proposed LNG facility

Wall Street Journal: Limited interest in Alaska LNG from Asian buyers

The Journal reported that buyers in Japan and South Korea aren’t confident in the project, and don’t plan to make investments or sign contracts.
Power transmission lines on poles in the foreground, with mountains in the distance.

Anchorage will likely see higher bills with LNG imports, but some say renewables could delay that

The Northern Journal's Nat Herz reports that renewable energy advocates say conservation, along with more power generated from solar and wind projects, could delay a shift to LNG by up to five years.
a generator

U.S. launches program to electrify more Native American homes

A federal report last year said nearly 17,000 tribal homes were without electricity, with most being in southwestern states and in Alaska.
Thayer Creek

A long-awaited hydro project in Angoon can proceed, if funding can be found

The local Alaska Native corporation is seeking construction funds for the project, which is expected to fully replace costly diesel power.
the Willow project

U.N. rapporteurs and Patagonia take Willow opposition to new level

U.N. Human Rights Commission appointees want to file a brief in lawsuit over Arctic drilling project.
Aniak

State regulators help alleviate Aniak residents’ extremely high power bills

Residents' electricity bills suddenly quadrupled this summer. The changes from state regulators should ease, but won't remove, the financial burden.
Seward City Hall

Seward utility sale back on ballot, with question about vote threshold

An ongoing effort to sell Seward’s city-run utility to a larger utility company is getting another chance on the ballot.
a beige building that says "ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc" on the front, over the door

AOGCC orders ConocoPhillips to pay penalties for 2022 blowout at Alpine field on Alaska’s North Slope

The well blowout led to a weeks-long release of natural gas and a brief evacuation at the company’s Alpine oil field.
an electric utility pole

Seward faces rate increases after the sale of its electric utility fails — again

Seward Electric Utility Manager Rob Montgomery said the situation at the utility is dire now that sale has been quashed.
The Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska facility

With shortfall looming, report outlines ways to fill Alaska’s gas gaps

Most of the options outlined in the report will come at a higher price tag than what utilities get for Cook Inlet gas today. But with the sun setting on the basin’s gas producing lifespan, they won’t have much choice.
A city street as seen from above

Anchorage’s main electric utility is proposing to raise base rates for the first time in 3 years

Chugach Electric wants to raise rates by 6%. It says it’s seen a decrease in sales and an increase in expenses due to inflation and supply chain disruptions.
Aniak

‘It’s not right’: Aniak residents share pain of spiking power bills with regulators

More than 30 Aniak residents spoke about the hardship caused by the quadrupling of their May power bills from Aniak Light & Power Company.
an oil facility in a remote, snowy area

ConocoPhillips faces potential fine of $914,000 for Arctic gas leak

State regulators propose a civil punishment for last year's gas blowout at Alpine

Valdez presses its case to unseal Hilcorp’s finances before Alaska Supreme Court

More than three years after Hilcorp bought BP’s Alaska assets, Valdez wants assurances that Hilcorp has the money to safely maintain its operations — and clean up a potential oil spill.
Bill Wielechowski

Alaska Supreme Court considers whether Hilcorp’s financial information should stay secret

The city of Valdez, site of the trans-Alaska pipeline’s marine terminal, wants the public to have information about Hilcorp’s financial wherewithal.
A small airport next to a river as seen from above

Aniak residents shocked by quadrupled power bills

Aniak Light & Power's unannounced rate hike has left residents and businesses trying to figure out how they'll keep the lights on.
a person stands in front of a truck

A shortage of heat pump installers is slowing climate action in Southeast Alaska

Swapping out oil-based heating systems for heat pumps is one of the best ways for homeowners to shrink their carbon footprints. But in communities like Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, heat pump installers are struggling to keep up.
the trans-Alaska pipeline

Saudi Arabia’s oil production cut could affect Alaska’s state finances

Federal officials raised estimates for oil prices in the second half of this year and in 2024, two days after Saudi Arabia announced oil production cuts.

Dunleavy says Alaska can boost fossil fuels and renewables. Clean energy advocates disagree.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy says Alaska is "going to be all-in" on developing energy, from oil to wind. Critics say that plan ignores climate impacts.
a gas pump

Saudi Arabia cuts oil production again to shore up prices — this time on its own

Saudi Arabia will begin cutting oil production by 1 million barrels per day in July to support the "stability and balance of oil markets."