Rep. Olson bill would tax Permanent Fund dividends as budget stopgap
Representative Kurt Olson, a Soldotna Republican developed a plan to tax Permanent Fund dividends back in February. But he didn’t introduce it at the time, because he wanted to see how the debate over plans from Governor Bill Walker and others unfolded. Download Audio
Alaska’s unusual oil tax credit system poses daunting budget challenge
The state's refundable credit program is unusual - and huge. In recent years, refundable credits have become the third-largest line item in the general fund budget. Download Audio
Golden Valley Electric investigates coal plant explosion
It will be months before a Golden Valley Electric Association coal fired power plant comes back on line. The plant, one of two Golden Valley operates in Healy, has been down since a coal dust explosion on March 3rd. The incident is similar to two other that occurred during initial testing of the recently re-stated power plant. Download Audio
Indigenous communities in Russia say retreating sea ice pushes walruses away
As Arctic sea ice has retreated north during the last decade, walruses have adapted by changing their haul-outs to take advantage of better resources and food. That's good for the walruses... but it's a problem for some Russian indigenous communities on the Chokotkan coast. Download Audio
Savings on tax credits for oil and gas not as high as proposed
A bill to revise oil and gas tax credits from the House Resources Committee includes only a fraction of the savings Governor Bill Walker proposed. Download Audio
Plan to replace tanker escort in Prince William Sound raises concerns in Valdez
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., which runs the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, is splitting with its longtime provider of oil spill prevention and response services in Prince William Sound. Download Audio
Tax credits reduced for oil and gas companies
The House Resources Committee unveiled its version of an overhaul of the state’s oil and gas tax credits. Download Audio
Irreversibility of climate change discussed at Arctic Science Summit
Government leaders and policymakers from circumpolar nations say they rely on the very best and latest science to make decisions about how to adapt to climate change and a rapidly warming Arctic. They converged in Fairbanks last week at the same time as one of the largest groups of Arctic scientists met to brainstorm on the next round of new research. Download Audio
Scientists use ice wedges to chart climate change in the Arctic
For years scientist have known permafrost can act as reliable gauge to chart climate change in the north. A new study in the journal Nature Geoscience reveals the wide extent and speed in which ice wedges are degrading and altering the landscape. Download Audio
BP to lay off more workers in Anchorage
BP says it is planning to further reduce its workforce in Alaska as the state continues to struggle with low oil prices. BP spokeswoman Dawn Patience told KTUU-TV on Monday that about 4 percent of the company's workforce will be cut. Most of the affected positions are based in Anchorage.
Offshore leasing plan leaves door open to Arctic drilling – for now
The Obama Administration released its draft plan for offshore oil and gas drilling over the next five years. It includes three lease sales in Alaska: two in the Arctic - in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas - and one in Cook Inlet.
BLM director visits North Slope
The director of the Bureau of Land Management is visiting the North Slope this week. Over the next two days, director Neil Kornze will meet with Native corporations, local government officials, and community leaders in the region. On Tuesday, Kornze was helping cap two legacy wells south of Barrow. The Simpson Core and Iko Bay were both drilled by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s. They’re among 18 legacy wells the BLM plans to clean up this year.
Trudeau, Obama issue joint statement on Arctic, climate, energy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is visiting Washington Thursday. He and President Barack Obama this morning issued a joint statement on Arctic leadership, climate and energy.
PFD cuts could mean big ripples in Alaska economy
Lawmakers facing a mammoth budget deficit are weighing cuts to the PFD. Experts say that will have ripple effects throughout the economy. Meanwhile, as Alaska considers scaling back the dividend, the rest of the world is warming to the idea. Download Audio
Arctic science summit gets underway at UAF
The first of dozens of events to be held as part of the 18th annual Arctic Science Summit Week gets under way Wednesday on the University of Alaska-Fairbanks campus. UAF Vice Chancellor for Research Larry Hinzman said this year’s summit is the first to be held on U.S. soil. And it’ll be the biggest yet.
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Prudhoe Bay rig count to drop by more than half
BP has announced it will cut the number of drill rigs operating at Prudhoe Bay, from five to two, as a result of low oil prices.
Apache to pull out of Alaska, citing low oil prices
The company is one of the largest leaseholders in Cook Inlet, where it has been exploring since 2010. A spokesperson said the company expects job losses to be "minimal," since Apache has been scaling back operations in Alaska for the past year. Download Audio
Village awarded federal grant for river turbine design
The U.S. Department of Energy has picked a southwest Alaska village for funding to advance development of an underwater river turbine that could replace diesel power with clean energy.
Energy lobbyist denounces Walker’s oil and gas tax changes
The top energy industry lobbyist in Alaska denounced Governor Bill Walker’s proposed oil and gas tax changes on Monday. Alaska Oil and Gas Association President Kara Moriarty told the House Resources Committee that companies can’t afford higher costs when oil prices are low.
In rural Alaska, building wind power means building people power
When it comes to energy innovation in rural Alaska, technology is only half the story. The real necessity is people power. Download audio