Economy

All Alaska economy and business news, including the Alaska Economic Report.

cruise ships on the water

Facing busier tourist seasons, Wrangell is buying high-end port-a-potties off eBay

Wrangell’s only downtown public restroom is a small brown building with just two toilets.
oil and gas platforms in the water

Alaska Legislature heads into session’s homestretch with energy-related bills still on the table

That’s as gas producers warn that Cook Inlet natural gas supplies are dwindling, threatening higher prices.
several Alaska Airlines planes parked at airport gates

Alaska Airlines is pitching an ‘eco-friendly’ alternative to the mileage run this year. How green is it?

The airline is offering customers elite-qualifying miles when they spend money on “sustainable aviation fuel” for Alaska’s fleet. 
organizers

Alaska advocates submit petition signatures to put minimum wage increase on ballot

The initiative campaign would also mandate paid sick leave and protect workers from having to hear employers’ political or religious messages.
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.

Togiak’s herring buyer says floating processor will have “zero impact” on community

Icicle Seafoods says its floating processor will ensure that crew don't interact in the community and inadvertently spread the coronavirus.

Alaskan Greens: Obama’s Words, Actions Conflict On Climate Change

President Barack Obama’s visit to Alaska this week, aimed at highlighting his push to fight climate change, comes just two weeks after his administration approved drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean. Some Alaskan environmentalists see a disconnect between the president's rhetoric and his actions on climate change.

Gov’s plan aims to reshape state’s relationship with oil

Governor Bill Walker says the state must change how it does business: he argues it's time for Alaska to tap its enormous savings accounts. Download Audio

Same but different: how Alaska and Norway are handling low oil prices

An oil-dependent economy straddling the Arctic Circle, battered by low prices but sitting on a massive savings account: that could describe Alaska -- but it also describes Norway. Download Audio

Anxiety creeps into oil-dependent Alaska as banks step back from Arctic investment

An aggressive advocacy campaign against banks' involvement in Arctic oil means that Alaska companies are facing more obstacles to raise the cash they need. They've responded by tailoring their pitches to financial institutions, as Alaska lawmakers fight back.

Senate votes to buy out TransCanada, take larger stake in Alaska LNG

The State Senate voted 16 to 3 on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to buy out TransCanada and take a larger stake in the Alaska LNG gas pipeline project. Download Audio
a Nome receipt

Overcharged on Nome sales tax? City says take it up with retailer

The 2% over-taxation, based on a repealed seasonal tax, is coming from both businesses in Nome and online retailers like Amazon. 
Eielson Air Force Base

Work on Eielson microreactor project may resume this summer

State Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, urged the Air Force to move ahead with the small nuclear power plant after a presentation last week.
a jet

Alaska Airlines’ flying salmon travels the Inside Passage a final time

The "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II" made its ceremonial final flight north through Southeast Alaska on Tuesday, before the iconic jet's repainting.
king salmon

Justice Department will appeal court order forcing Southeast Alaska troll fishery closure

The U.S. Department of Justice will appeal a federal court order forcing the closure of the commercial king salmon troll fishery in Southeast Alaska.

Democratic presidential candidates spent seven hours talking climate change. Alaska wasn’t discussed.

In the first-ever prime-time presidential climate change forum, Democratics spent seven hours on the issue. But there was no substantive discussion of Alaska, even though the state is one of the most affected by global warming.
a housing complex

Sitka’s housing crunch hits tribal citizens hardest, study says

The survey also found that tribal citizens are leaving Sitka at a higher rate than other residents.

Small exodus of doctors leaves Central Kenai Peninsula with recruitment rush, strains on care

“I’m extremely worried about my patients being able to find new primary care,” said Dr. Alexa Rodin, who's among the doctors leaving.

Coronavirus fears fuel assault on Bering Sea fishing boat, federal prosecutors charge

Maurice Young was a housekeeper and galley assistant on the 235-foot SeaFreeze America. A day before the assault, the victim -- a processor on the ship -- criticized Young “for serving food without gloves,” prosecutors said in a court filing.
the Tongass National Forest

U.S. Forest Service awards grants to boost Tongass logging

The two Alaska grants are aimed at retooling mills to harvest young growth timber in the Tongass National Forest rather than old growth.