Hilcorp plans gravel island to extract Arctic offshore oil
Arctic offshore drilling by Royal Dutch Shell PLC drew protests on two continents this year, but a more modest proposal for extracting petroleum where polar bears roam has moved forward with much less attention.
Walker’s new oil and gas advisor wants to put some “grit” in the system
When Gov. Bill Walker announced the creation of a new cabinet position — a chief oil and gas adviser — he framed it as a way to improve his administration’s often rocky relationship with the oil and gas industry. Listen now
Revenue commissioner outlines a new direction for Alaska’s gas pipeline project
That direction looks a lot like a previous version of the project: one that was led by the oil companies on the North Slope.
State’s wildfire season ‘largely uneventful,’ according to officials
Wildfires have burned just 270,000 acres in the state this year. That’s far short of the 1.2 million acres that burn during a normal season. Listen now
BLM projects ‘insignificant’ impact from seismic work in ANWR
Officials from the Bureau of Land Management expect "no significant impact" from a 3d seismic survey in the Arctic Refuge. They expect to approve the request in time for work to begin this winter. Enviros say the work could disturb denning polar bears. Listen now
Feds say TAPS owners can’t raise rates to pay for over-budget upgrades
A federal commission says the oil companies that own the trans-Alaska pipeline can’t raise rates to cover cost overruns for an upgrade that went horribly over-budget.
For sale: A stake in an array of ConocoPhillips’ Alaska projects
On the block are old, new and unbuilt projects: the Kuparuk River Unit, which is Alaska’s second-largest oil-field; the newer Alpine unit to the west; and the undeveloped Willow prospect in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Video: Can we harness the power of Cook Inlet?
Cook Inlet has some of the most dramatic tidal shifts on the planet. From scientists to startups, many have speculated how this fast-flowing water could be harnessed to produce electricity. Professor Tom Ravens (University of Alaska Anchorage) and Chris Rose (Renewable Energy Project Alaska) discuss the potential and challenges of tapping hydro-kinetic energy.
Quinhagak opposes Donlin Gold mine
There haven’t been any public protests against the proposed Donlin Gold mine in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta since last summer. But one tribe broke the silence with a resolution opposing the mine this month.
Interior Dept. kicks off new round of meetings on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Some people at the meeting expressed concern about the process. Lisa Baraff with the Northern Alaska Environmental Center said that the timeline BLM has been using for their environmental review is too short.
Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sales set for June
The federal government this week announced it’s holding an oil and gas lease sale for over a million acres in Cook Inlet this June. Listen now
Alaska teens ask state to stop delaying action on climate change
The teens hand delivered a petition to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, asking for reduced carbon emissions and a strategy moving forward. Listen now
Pacific heatwave had lasting impacts on Gulf of Alaska marine species
NOAA’s study charted the impacts of the heat wave — also known as “the blob” — on gulf marine species over time, through 2019 and found some species like sockeye salmon and Pacific cod had lower populations for years.
Ocean acidification threatens Bering Sea crabs. But can they adapt?
Researchers warn that populations of red king crab in the Bering Sea could collapse by the end of the century. But it's possible the crabs might be able to evolve -- and adapt to the changing oceans. Listen now
State unemployment data shows the bleak reality of an oil crash
As oil prices dropped, Alaska’s jobs have dwindled. The state’s oil and gas industry shed nearly 2,400 jobs in the first half of the year. That’s according to new data from the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Listen Now
The Big Thaw: Fishermen in Kodiak cope with record low cod numbers
The cod population in the Gulf of Alaska is at its lowest level on record. The culprit is a warm water mass called "the blob" that churned in the Pacific Ocean between 2013 and 2017. Listen now
Native Corporations ask to start looking for oil in ANWR
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation have submitted a 3-D seismic exploration plan for the Coastal Plain, or the 1002 area. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: Tracking “green up” in Fairbanks
Trees and shrubs are starting to turn green in much of Alaska. But Fairbanks is the only community in the state with an historical record tracking the green up date. Listen now
In a down market, Alaska fishermen avert disaster by feeding families in need
A seafood donation program started by a Sitka organization is helping bring some stability to fishermen and consumers during an uncertain time.
“Doesn’t he know it’s frozen?” How Alaska almost overlooked Prudhoe Bay
You could argue — and a lot of people do — that Alaska would be a completely different place if it weren’t for a man named Tom Marshall.