Economy & Environment
ConocoPhillips starts production at new Alpine satellite field
ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. announced Friday that it has started oil production at its Fiord West Kuparuk reservoir, a satellite of its Alpine field. The start of oil flow followed the drilling of a well that ConocoPhillips said set an extended-reach record. The well was drilled about a month ago by Doyon 26, the largest mobile […]
Avian influenza’s arrival in Alaska signals danger for other parts of the world
When Larry Pouliot went on a morning walk in Sitka National Historical Park on May 9, he spotted a lethargic, unresponsive bald eagle perched in a tree, its eyes bloodshot and its neck drooping. “I realized he was not doing great,” said Pouliot, who got video footage and photos of the ailing bird. He called […]
Legislature approves budget with $3,200 payout per Alaskan after House balks at bigger figure
Three minutes before 11 p.m. on the last day of its regular session, the Alaska Legislature finalized a state budget that will pay each eligible Alaskan about $3,200 later this year. As late as Saturday, it appeared possible that the House and Senate would agree on a $5,500 payment, but lawmakers settled on a lower […]
Biden administration’s pause on Ambler road project gets court approval
A federal judge has granted the Biden administration permission to reconsider a controversial Trump administration-approved road that would cut through the Brooks Range foothills. In an order issued Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason approved the Department of the Interior’s plan to partially reevaluate the impacts of the proposed 211-mile Ambler Access Project while […]
Feds sue Alaska over management of Kuskokwim fisheries
The federal government sued Alaska’s state government and the state Department of Fish and Game on Tuesday, saying in a filing at the U.S. District Court in Anchorage that the state illegally opened the Kuskokwim River for salmon fishing. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block similar future actions by the state. Low salmon returns […]
After larger deal fails, state lawmakers propose payout of up to $3,850 per Alaskan
A compromise state budget containing as much as $3,850 in Permanent Fund dividends and energy payments for each eligible Alaskan is heading to final votes on the last regular day of the Alaska Legislature. A six-member committee completed work on the compromise budget late Tuesday, three days after the Alaska House failed to agree with […]
After two-year COVID hiatus, tours on Pribilof island set to resume
Two years after becoming one of the most sealed-off locations in the United States, St. Paul Island is reopening to visitors. St. Paul Island Tour, a business within the Unangan-owned TDX Corp., is resuming its operations after a pause forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. An email blast sent out last week revealed a lot of […]
Alaska Legislature OKs increase to rural power subsidy
Residents of 194 rural Alaska towns and villages will get more of their monthly power bill subsidized by the state if Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation approved Monday by the Alaska House of Representatives. On Monday, the state House voted 38-2 to increase the maximum subsidy allowed under the state’s Power Cost Equalization program. The […]
U.S. House panel weighs labor law amendment to protect workers from wage theft
WASHINGTON — U.S. House lawmakers questioned several labor experts Wednesday before a House Education and Labor panel about how a new bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 would protect workers from wage theft. House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro introduced the bill, H.R. 3712, known as the “Wage Theft Prevention and Wage […]
Alaska inflation similar to U.S. trends, but a sharp departure from recent past
The annual inflation rate for the Anchorage area was 7.5% as of April, nearly matching the annual national rate that was most recently measured at 8.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week. The close match between Alaska and national economic trends is noteworthy, said Neal Fried, a senior economist with the Alaska Department […]
Alaska House rejects $5,500 payout, sends budget to negotiating committee
After three days of delay and doubt about the outcome, the Alaska House of Representatives turned down a Senate-written budget containing $5,500 payments for eligible Alaskans. Those opposed to the budget cited concerns about spending exceeding revenue. The House’s 18-22 vote against the Senate proposal means two different plans will now go to a six-member […]
Alaska House contemplates a multibillion-dollar gamble on oil prices to pay $5,500 per Alaskan
Leading members of the Alaska House of Representatives said on Thursday that the House appears ready to approve a Senate-passed budget that would pay $5,500 this year to eligible Alaskans. They cautioned that the situation remains in flux and could change quickly. On Wednesday and Thursday, Speaker of the House Louise Stutes canceled scheduled votes […]