As polar bears encroach on this Alaska village, feds charge whaling captain with illegally shooting one
As Arctic sea ice melts, polar bears are spending more time near the Alaska North Slope village of Kaktovik. Now, federal prosecutors have charging a whaling captain there with killing one in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Meet the Trump administration official whose signature could formally open ANWR to drilling
On his second day on the job at the U.S. Department of Interior, Joe Balash says he was personally tasked with carrying out Congress’ instructions to hold an oil lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "I am confident that we are able to move forward here and not devastate the Porcupine caribou herd. I am absolutely convinced of that,” Balash says.
‘We’re never going to surrender’ — Sarah James on a life fighting oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge
Sarah James’ desire to preserve the Neets'aii Gwich'in way of life drove her into the thick of the battle over oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Could climate change research in Alaska be put on ice?
The University of Alaska system is known as a leader in climate change research, studying melting permafrost to shrinking glaciers. But there’s growing uncertainty about the future of such projects with steep cuts to state funding.
Two worlds that overlap: Richard Glenn sees ANWR drilling as a boon to Inupiaq communities
Richard Glenn is an inconvenient truth for opponents of drilling in the Arctic Refuge. He presents a challenge to the prevalent narrative in D.C., that Native people oppose development in the Arctic.
With ANWR drilling on its doorstep, an Alaska Native village is poised to profit
It’s still too early to know if petroleum even exists in the refuge in commercially-viable quantities. But if it’s found, Kaktovik’s residents are simultaneously positioned to be among the biggest beneficiaries, and to experience some of the biggest disruptions.
Point Lay sees earliest walrus haul out ever
It's the earliest walrus haul out since it began happening in 2007, according to the federal agency. The haul outs are associated with declining sea ice due to climate change.
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State raises concerns about Red Dog Mine spill cleanups
Following a truck rollover earlier this summer, emails show state regulators raised concerns about how the Red Dog Mine near Kotzebue is cleaning up after spills on the sensitive tundra.
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.
BP moves to exit Alaska, relinquishing role as operator of Prudhoe Bay
One of Alaska's "Big Three" oil companies is stepping away from its major role in the state. BP is leaving its position as the company that oversees Prudhoe Bay.
Wildfires crimp Alaska’s major transportation corridor, halting tourist operations, delaying groceries
Major wildfires that flared up in Southcentral Alaska over the weekend caused road closures and delays on some of the region's busiest road corridors, forcing re-routes and long delays for locals, buses filled with tourists and trucks trying to re-supply grocery stores.
Trump’s path to ‘energy dominance’ in Alaska has a key opponent: lawyers
Not long after Trump took office, former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke famously proclaimed "the only path for energy dominance is a path through the great state of Alaska." Two and a half years into the administration, lawyers have proven to be significant impediments to that path.
At the moment, Donlin Gold isn’t building a mine. But it is building a church
The company that wants to build one of the world’s biggest gold mines is currently renovating a church in Chuathbaluk in the middle Kuskokwim River. Donlin says that investing in communities near the mine is being “a good neighbor.”
ConocoPhillips’ next big oil project in Alaska takes another step forward
The company hopes to construct a new oil processing facility, up to five drill sites, about 40 miles of permanent roads, a gravel mine and hundreds of miles of pipelines and seasonal ice roads.
BP’s Alaska exit no surprise, say experts and industry insiders
BP's exit from Alaska was rumored long before it was officially announced on Tuesday. But that's not the only reason the company's $5.6 billion deal with Hilcorp is far from surprising, experts and industry insiders said.
BP and Hilcorp just announced Alaska’s biggest oil industry deal in years. Here’s why it matters.
If you don't work for an oil company, you might be wondering: Why should I care? And why does this matter? We asked and answered some of the big questions.
Internal email casts uncertainty on future of BP Alaska employees
In the email, sent after the deal was made public, BP Alaska President Janet Weiss told employees they have three options, including applying for jobs with BP outside Alaska or leaving the company with a severance package.
Is the USDA now leaning toward a full exemption of the Roadless Rule in Alaska?
A national news story caused a stir this week, suggesting President Donald Trump has taken a special interest in how the Tongass will be managed.
New technology could help save Anchorage homes from wildfires
The Anchorage Fire Department hopes a new, specialized camera will help them respond to wildfires faster.
Wildfires and warming could transform Alaska’s forests, making leafy trees dominant over evergreens, study says
If wildfire frequency and temperature rise in Alaska like the paper’s authors expect, broadleaf trees like birch and aspen could become dominant, taking over from evergreens like spruce, which are better adapted to cold weather and scarce nutrients.