Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau
Wild Alaska salmon not on menus in China…yet
About a third of the salmon caught in Alaska gets shipped to China for processing. But a recent consumer study suggests that at least some of that wild salmon should stay in the Chinese markets. Listen now
In Angoon, a rural water system gets help from beavers
The village of Angoon’s drinking water comes from a lake held up by a beaver dam. That might sound sketchy. But the beavers are one of reasons the city has public water. Not all Alaska towns do. Listen now
Less mercury found in Beaufort Sea polar bears; that’s not necessarily a good thing
Melissa McKinney expected to see some fluctuation in the polar bears' mercury levels. But the sudden drop off surprised her. Listen now
When the lights went out – Alaska’s great recession
Less than ten years after oil started flowing, Alaska’s economy cratered. The recession was quick and deep. Ten banks failed, real estate values plummeted and tens of thousands of people fled the state. It was Alaska’s great recession, 20 years before the rest of the country went through almost the same thing.
Reassigned climate official worries “nobody home” on village relocation
Before he was reassigned, Joel Clement was part of a working group focused on village relocation and coastal resilience in Alaska. Listen now
Alaskan appointed to help manage national fisheries
An Alaskan has been appointed to help manage fisheries nationwide. Listen now
Interior Secretary reassigns top climate policy adviser
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is reshuffling several senior government positions, and it could affect Arctic policies in Alaska. Listen now
Southeast tribal organization says it will support the Paris Climate Accord
"We’re responsible for these lands," Central Council President Richard Peterson said. Listen now
New road and landowner collaboration key to harvesting young growth Tongass timber
After new federal plans were set in motion last year, old growth logging in Alaska’s national forests is on its way out. Still, the feds have to make some timber sales available in the Tongass. Listen now
Less sea ice means shorter hunting season for polar bears and scientists
Scientists travel into the Arctic every year to study polar bears. It helps them estimate the population. But this year, they had to cut that research short. Melting sea ice is making the task a lot more difficult. Listen now
Runaway melt: Alaska permafrost is thawing even in winter
When you think of carbon emissions, you probably think of the exhaust that comes from your car. But it comes from the ground, too. Listen now
Alaska Sea Grant’s funding secure for now
The White House wanted to cut Sea Grant’s funding for the remainder of this fiscal year. If the request had been approved, several projects in Alaska would have ended as early as this summer. Listen now
Scientists see the future in the bellies of fish
Southeast Alaska is home to hundreds of glaciers and a lucrative fishing industry. As those glaciers retreat, the freshwater they send into the ocean could begin to dry up. Scientists are trying to figure out how that will impact the marine environment. Listen now
Trump may have plans for Alaska, but not for its national monuments
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to consider scaling back some national monuments. The plans likely won’t affect Alaska, but the president still gave a shout out to the state in his speech. Listen now
In a rare case of river piracy, climate change is the culprit
Scientists are pointing to climate change as the reason a river that used to feed into the Yukon has nearly disappeared. Listen now
How many wolves should be on Prince of Wales Island?
The Alexander Archipelago Wolf didn’t go on the endangered species list in 2016, after it was petitioned by six conservation groups. But the feds and the state are looking at ways to stabilize the wolf population on Prince of Wales Island.
Alaska’s congressional delegation sticking by Sea Grant
When President Donald Trump’s blueprint budget came out in March, it included eliminating funding for the Sea Grant program for next year. But Alaska’s congressional delegation doesn’t want it to go away. Listen now
Could the Alaska Sea Grant program go away this year?
Sea Grant knew the Trump administration wanted to eliminate its budget for next fiscal year. But those cuts could come much sooner. The organization said the White House is asking Congress to slash this year’s funding, too. That could mean the end for dozens of Alaska programs, focusing on fisheries and climate change. Listen now
Ask the Energy Desk: What about wave and tidal energy in Alaska?
When you think about renewable energy in Alaska, what comes to mind? Probably wind, which contributes to about 3 percent of the state’s power generation. And maybe solar panels, which are starting to gain momentum. But there’s also the potential for what lies along 6,500 miles of coastline. Listen now
It can power an ice rink in Fairbanks. Could it power rural Alaska?
A system that could power remote Alaska is being tested in an unexpected place. Typically found in Scandinavian countries, a new cleaner energy technology is now coming to Fairbanks. Listen now