A hydro license brings district heating one step closer in Juneau
After years of waiting, Juneau Hydropower Inc. was recently awarded a federal license for Sweetheart Lake Dam. It gives the company the go-ahead to start serious planning for a new multi-million dollar hydro facility. It could power a gold mine and supply heat to the downtown core of the capital city with an innovative system. Listen now
Alaska’s only tribal college will waive tuition for Alaska Native students
The ultimate goal of the waiver program is to encourage more Alaska Native students to finish their associate degrees and go on to get their bachelor’s. Listen now
State buys out TransCanada’s interest in gas project
The state of Alaska has completed its acquisition of TransCanada Corp.'s interest in a major gas project. Gov. Bill Walker, in a release, called it an historic day.
After struggling for years to clean up its air, Fairbanks still faces contentious wood smoke problem
For years, Fairbanks and neighboring city North Pole have had some of the worst air quality in the United States. The area has been failing to meet a federal air quality standard since 2009 — now it's reached the deadline.
Alaska Made: There’s only one Christmas tree farm in Alaska. It’s on Kodiak, and it’s thriving.
Many of the favorite commercial decorative species don’t grow naturally this far north. So a family of Kodiak farmers decided to take on the challenge.
Oil production is up, and DNR expects it to keep climbing
Production was up about 3 million barrels, and the state is predicting that it’s going to be up next year too. Listen now
Major climate report warns of rapid change, potential tipping points
One climate scientist says the report can be summarized in one sentence: "Climate is changing, humans are responsible, the risks are real, and the window of time to fix this thing is narrowing fast." Listen now
Yukon aims to sell renewable power to Skagway cruise ships
It could be a win-win. The Yukon territory could turn a profit on their surplus, cruise ships could green up their local image, and Skagway might enjoy better air quality near the port.
Conoco hopes to crack open off-limits North Slope land
Beyond its current developments, the ConocoPhillips sees even more opportunity further west. But in that direction lies the off-limits Teshekpuk Lake Special Area.
This Juneau man built the fully electric boat of his dreams
The Tongass Mist can fit up to six passengers. Next summer, it could give tourists a new way to experience an excursion on the water. Listen now
Underpaid Alaska contractors bear burden of Buccaneer’s bankruptcy
Alaskans were outraged after a group of oil companies based in Texas went bankrupt and stuck them with the bill. The name Buccaneer is equivalent to dirt in some corners of Southcentral Alaska. While drilling for oil and gas in Cook Inlet two years ago, a Buccaneer Energy subsidiary was ruined in a corporate bankruptcy. They left behind dozens of businesses that want their money. Download Audio
BP leak investigation led to shutdown of 5 more wells
BP was forced to plug five at-risk wells on the North Slope after investigating an oil leak that happened this April. Listen now
Donlin is confident as it navigates the complicated permitting process
Donlin Gold is advancing through the permitting process for its proposed mine in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and already has two state permits in hand. Listen now
Managers restored caribou on the Nushagak Peninsula in the ’80s, now there’s so many, they’re harming the lichens
Lichens on the Nushagak Peninsula are a critical food source for the caribou that live there. But as the herd has thrived, exceeding management goals, they are depleting the complex composites.
Hilcorp picks up more acreage in Cook Inlet for oil and gas development
Hilcorp snapped up more than 100,000 acres in Cook Inlet for additional oil and gas development at federal and state lease sales held Wednesday. Listen now
Six Y-K Delta communities clean up household waste with help from Donlin Gold
This is the first time that the Green Star program has helped out in the Y-K Delta. Before then, villages stored household waste in a container and waited for the barges to come in the spring. Listen now
Former Gov. Bill Walker lands at political ally’s law firm
Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has a new job. Walker, an attorney, has joined the law office formerly known as Brena, Bell and Clarkson -- now known as Brena, Bell and Walker, according to a document filed Friday in a federal case.
With $3B budget deficit, lawmakers eye oil tax credits
With the state facing a deficit next year of more than $3 billion, lawmakers face the always vexing question of what can be cut. One option on the table is reducing tax credits for oil and gas companies.
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Conoco aims to up North Slope production with new drilling rig
ConocoPhillips Alaska has announced plans for a new drilling rig on the North Slope that will more than double the area it can develop from a single drill site. Listen Now
Alaska Sea Grant’s funding secure for now
The White House wanted to cut Sea Grant’s funding for the remainder of this fiscal year. If the request had been approved, several projects in Alaska would have ended as early as this summer. Listen now