Economy & Environment
Why do gas stoves matter to the climate — and the gas industry?
Gas stoves are a leading source of hazardous indoor air pollution, but they emit only a tiny share of the greenhouse gases that warm the climate. Why, then, have they assumed such a heated role in climate politics? This debate reignited on Jan. 9, 2023, when Richard Trumka Jr., a member of the U.S. Consumer […]
State expects North Slope oil production to be stable, then tick up after 2027
Dunleavy administration officials on Wednesday presented an optimistic picture of oil production that they expect to remain steady in coming years and even increase slightly in volume in the late 2020s. North Slope production is expected to hover around 500,000 barrels a day through 2027 and then rise a bit after then as new fields […]
University of Alaska report issued to help state leaders craft energy policies as Arctic transforms
The University of Alaska has released a new report on Alaska energy issues, ranging from its history of fiscal challenges to the potential for a wide variety of renewable energy sources in the future. The report, titled “Alaska’s Changing Arctic: Energy Issues and Trends,” is the first of what is planned to be a series […]
Southeast Alaska’s porpoises have separate populations, and one may be vulnerable
There are at least two distinct populations of harbor porpoises in Southeast Alaska waters, and one of them appears to be particularly vulnerable to deaths from entanglements in commercial fishing gear, according to newly released information from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists. The breakdown of Southeast Alaska’s porpoises into separate northern and southern populations […]
U.S. House GOP would make it easier for feds to give public lands away to states
U.S. House Republicans included in the new rules for the chamber they passed this month a provision meant to make it easier for Congress to give away public lands. The provision is a fairly technical piece of the 55-page rules package. It affects internal House accounting and requires that anytime Congress were to give any […]
Construction to start on bridge over landslide site in Denali National Park
A remedy is on the way to overcome a barrier to visitor movement through one of Alaska’s premier tourist attractions. But it still will take some time to happen. The National Park Service has selected a contractor to build a bridge over the halfway point of the sole road through Denali National Park and Preserve, […]
Alaska wants to profit by leaving timber uncut and pumping carbon underground
This article has been updated with a comment from Hilcorp. For decades, Alaska’s economy has depended on the extraction and harvest of natural resources — industries like pumping oil out of the ground, and cutting timber. Now, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants the state to make money by leaving trees standing, and by pumping carbon […]
U.S. House passes legislation barring sales of strategic reserve oil to China
U.S. House Republicans wrapped up their first week in the majority Thursday by passing with bipartisan support a bill to prohibit the Energy Department from selling the nation’s stockpile of crude oil to China or affiliated entities. The bill, written by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington, would prevent […]
Urban light pollution is a danger for marine ecosystems – new research
Cities are artificially lit to allow humans to make use of the night. This light pollution means that stars are often barely visible in urban skies. But reduced stargazing is not the only impact of artificial light at night. Urban development in coastal areas is increasingly exposing marine ecosystems to artificial light. This exposure is […]
More oil flowed through Trans Alaska Pipeline last year than in 2021 or 2020, operator reports
The amount of oil flowing through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System was higher in 2022 than in each of the two years prior, the system’s operator said on Tuesday. The system shipped over 176.4 million barrels of oil in the calendar year, averaging 483,415 barrels per day, said Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., the consortium that […]
Study analyzes moose-vehicle collision risks, with results that could be used to improve road safety
Moose-vehicle collisions are a constant problem in Alaska. Each year, there are probably more than 800 such collisions in the state, though many go unreported, according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates. Now a new study has quantified collisions and produced statistical analysis that might help motorists and transportation managers better plan around […]
Nuclear microreactors are a solution for Alaska, not a joke
In response to Lawrence D. Weiss’ commentary published by the Alaska Beacon on Nov. 30 I will first say, “What a waste of energy and print space.” I’m sure all his friends found humor in his musing. Equating nuclear reactors to nuclear bombs is not a reasonable consideration under any circumstance. Right now we have […]