Report Predicts Windfall For Alaska If Federal Lands, Water Opened To Drilling
A new report from an oil and gas trade association is predicting a windfall for Alaska if the government opened federally owned lands and water to drilling.
Begich Introduces Bill Granting State A Share Of Offshore Drilling Revenue
Senator Mark Begich is introducing a bill that would grant the state a share of revenues from off-shore drilling. The concept is nothing new. The Alaska delegation has long sought the chance to reap royalty payments from oil producers drilling off Alaska’s shore.
Air Force Seeking Feedback On F-16 Relocation Proposal
The Air Force is beginning a series of public meetings on its proposal to move an F-16 squadron from Eielson Air Force base in North Pole to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage. Meetings are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Anchorage and Palmer, and in Fairbanks and North Pole Wednesday and Thursday. Fairbanks is rallying to protect the local Air Force installation from downsizing.
Explosion Rocks Fairbanks Neighborhood
An explosion rocked a Fairbanks neighborhood over the weekend. Alaska State Troopers say the blast occurred on a makeshift shooting range on private property in the Chena Ridge area Saturday afternoon. Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says no injuries were reported, but there was damage to area homes.
Hugh Neff Leads Yukon Quest
Hugh Neff is leading the Yukon Quest. He left the Stepping Stone hospitality checkpoint at 9:47 this morning. Two Rivers musher Allen Moore followed at 11:25. Brent Sass, Jake Berkowitz and Scott Smith round out the top five.
Murkowski Introduces Energy Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is introducing her blueprint energy bill today. Senator Murkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy Committee. She says she’s been working on a new energy bill for months. In fact, last summer she said a draft would be ready by the end of the year.
Legislature To Take Up In-State Gas Line Proposal
For the past couple of weeks, the legislature has been moving forward on the governor’s proposal to cut taxes on oil companies. Now, it’s scheduled to take up the issue of an in-state gas line. APRN’s Alexandra Gutierrez has this legislative outlook for the week.
Cruise Ship Bill Moving Quickly Through Legislature
About a million people visit Alaska by cruise ship every year, creating floating cities along the state’s coastline. A bill that would change just how the waste they produce is regulated is moving rapidly through the legislature, and is scheduled to appear on the House floor Monday.
Massive Disabled Cargo Ship in Route to Dutch Harbor
When it finally arrives in Unalaska next week, the Shin Onoe will be one of the biggest vessels to ever stay in port here. It’s 150 feet wide, with a 60 foot draft when it’s full of coal, soybeans, or iron. Right now, it’s empty. It was traveling along the Great Circle shipping route to Prince William Sound early this week to pick up cargo when its turbocharger failed, just west of Attu island.
Shell Tallies Cost of Kulluk Grounding
Shell’s chief executives responded to questions about the January grounding of the Kulluk drill rig during the company’s annual results conference in London Thursday. In a prepared presentation, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Voser, played down the company’s many mishaps in Alaska last year.
Republicans Oust Millette as Chair
The Alaska Republican Party's Executive Committee has blocked incoming party chair. Russ Millette from taking his position. In a meeting last night, the committee voted to oust Millette, who was elected to the chairman's position at the party's annual state convention in April of last year. Millette says he's weighing his options to fight the decision.
Kikkan Randall Dominates Sprint in Sochi
Kikkan Randall won the world cup skate sprint near Sochi, Russia today, on the same course that will serve as the Olympic venue next year. The Alaska Pacific University skier won all three heats.
NPFMC May Start Ocean Zoning Work Next Week
Next week the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council may start work on zoning the ocean – something it began in 2005, when it protected the coral gardens of the Aleutian Islands. This time, sea skate nursery areas are being considered. The Council’s preferred alternative would avoid restricting fishing in these areas, instead directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep an eye on them. But this issue may set the stage for deliberations later this year on two large canyons in the Bering Sea that are full of corals, sponges and skates.
Study Names Nome, Port Clarence As Best Region For Deep Water Arctic Port
The state’s long held dream of an Arctic deep water port has moved one step closer to reality. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a draft report Wednesday that names the Nome/Port Clarence region as the best location for the port. It will be the subject of an upcoming feasibility – level study which will help further determine a site.
Murkowski Working On Making In-State LNG Line More Feasible
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is trying to make a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope more feasible. Environmentalists are welcoming a stretch of pipeline through Denali National Park. Senator Murkowski introduced a bill that would allow a seven-mile stretch of pipeline to run through the National Park. For that to happen, Congress needs to pass a law granting approval.
Earthquake Rattles Sitka; NO Tsunami Danger
Many Sitka residents felt an earthquake just before 1 a.m. Thursday. The quake did not set off any tsunami alerts, and the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer reported shortly afterward that there is NO tsunami danger.
Charges Against Former BBNC Board Member Dropped
The State of Alaska’s sexual assault case against former-Bristol Bay Native Corporation Board Member Sergie Chukwak has been dismissed.
Public Comments On Gov. Parnell’s Oil Tax Cut Proposal
The public got its first chance to comment on Gov. Sean Parnell’s proposal to cut taxes on oil companies on Tuesday, and most of the testimony broke along familiar lines.
Anchorage Police Search For Shooting Suspect
There was a shooting in a West Anchorage apartment Tuesday afternoon. Police say the victim was seriously injured and knew the suspect, who is still being sought. They say there were several other people in the apartment at the time - no identities released yet. Officers say the place was full of bear spray when they arrived, but were not yet ready to say why.
Head of BP’s Alaska Operation Gets Promotion
John Minge will leave his Alaska job and move up to become the Chairman and President of BP America in a couple of weeks. Minge has headed BP's Alaska operations since 2009. He will replace Lamar McKay, who is moving up to head the oil giant's Upstream operations worldwide.