Energy

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

a person in a suit in a meeting room

Alaska state budget runs risk of a deficit this spring as oil prices stay below forecasts

A leading senator says there’s no cause for worry right now, and the problem could resolve itself.

Goldman Sachs, in Arctic drilling tiff with Alaska governor, hires veteran Juneau lobbyist

In response to Goldman's announcement that it would not finance oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska's governor suggested he could cut off the millions of dollars a year that the state pays the Wall Street firm. Now Goldman is playing defense: Last week, it hired a lobbyist, Wendy Chamberlain, to represent its interests in the state.

Energy lobbyist denounces Walker’s oil and gas tax changes

The top energy industry lobbyist in Alaska denounced Governor Bill Walker’s proposed oil and gas tax changes on Monday. Alaska Oil and Gas Association President Kara Moriarty told the House Resources Committee that companies can’t afford higher costs when oil prices are low.
A burning piece of cardboard is placed into a large furnace

New biomass furnace saves money and fossil fuel in Ambler, Alaska

The installation of a biomass furnace system in Ambler, a rural village off the road system, is set to save the community more than $50,000 a year.

ConocoPhillips to add wells at CD5 site in Alpine Field

Oil development is ramping up in the National Petroleum Reserve. ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. says it's adding wells and other infrastructure at its CD5 site in the Alpine Field. Download Audio

Akutan Volcano’s Geothermal Power Potential Increases

A new study says Akutan Volcano could be an even more promising source of geothermal energy than previously thought. Download Audio
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.
a pipeline

Amid natural gas crunch, an Alaska utility asks to resurrect in-state gas pipeline

Enstar wants to take over the estimated $10 billion project, but its own CEO says the pipeline isn’t viable without massive state subsidies.
Cook Inlet

Hilcorp is sole bidder in controversial Cook Inlet lease sale

Hilcorp Alaska offered $63,983 on one 2,304-acre tract in Lower Cook Inlet, a small sliver of the nearly 1 million acres posted in the federal sale.
Power transmission lines on poles in the foreground, with mountains in the distance.

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.

Climate change, not Arctic drilling, drives Obama trip to Alaska

President Barack Obama is coming to Alaska later this month. The White House released a video Thursday morning to explain why he will be the first sitting president to visit Alaska’s Arctic. Download Audio

Tax credits reduced for oil and gas companies

The House Resources Committee unveiled its version of an overhaul of the state’s oil and gas tax credits. Download Audio

BP to lay off more workers in Anchorage

BP says it is planning to further reduce its workforce in Alaska as the state continues to struggle with low oil prices. BP spokeswoman Dawn Patience told KTUU-TV on Monday that about 4 percent of the company's workforce will be cut. Most of the affected positions are based in Anchorage.

Lawmakers relieved as Gov. Walker removes contentious gas reserves tax from agenda

Lawmakers are in Juneau this week for a special session on the state’s massive gas line project. The session may be a little less contentious - and a little shorter - than expected, after the Governor pulled one item on the agenda, at the last minute.
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.
the trans-Alaska pipeline

New bill from Dunleavy aims to help Alaska break into growing carbon markets

Gov. Mike Dunleavy believes his bill, outlining the state's potential entry into emerging carbon markets, could bring Alaska billions in new revenue.
Two f-35 fighter jets are parked in front of a beige aircraft control tower

Contractor selected to build nuclear power plant at Eielson Air Force Base

Eielson will be the first U.S. military installation to get a commercialized and licensed microreactor.
a building

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.
Three people sit at a desk while a screen displays a logo that says "Alaska Insight"

Expanding renewable energy in rural Alaska | Alaska Insight

Alaskans seeking relief from high energy prices and unreliable supplies are finding success in transitioning to renewable energy. What projects are in the works, and where do opportunities exist for further development?
Cook Inlet

State says without new development, Cook Inlet gas demand could outpace supply by 2027

The highly-anticipated forecast paints an urgent picture of a gas basin that is declining, while utilities continue to depend heavily on the natural gas that’s produced there.