Energy

All Alaska energy news, including mining, oil and gas, green energy. (These stories are also categorized as “economy”.)

Southcentral Alaska gas utility says high demand is straining gas storage system

“This is the most strained I’ve seen the system,” ENSTAR President John Sims said at a press conference Thursday.
Power transmission lines on poles in the foreground, with mountains in the distance.

Gas leak triggers chain of power outages spanning from Anchorage to the Mat-Su

Utilities say a 25-minute outage early Thursday at the Eklutna Generation Station triggered outages across the Railbelt to prevent a blackout.
Rows of solar panels stretching off into the distance.

Chugach Electric offers its support for renewable energy benchmarks

A renewable portfolio standard would require Railbelt utilities to ramp up renewables. Chugach is the first Railbelt utility to publicly back it.
a pipeline

Political pressure builds as state-led Alaska LNG project goes another year without a deal

Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants to spend another $4.5 million on marketing and development the project. But lawmakers sound increasingly skeptical.
a woman with a laser pointer in front of an audience

Anchorage, Mat-Su utilities disagree with Eklutna village on full dam removal to restore namesake river

The public has until Feb. 19 to comment on the utilities’ hydro project river repair plan, which is much more modest.
pipeline

State expects Willow and Pikka to push oil production up 30% by 2032

Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle told lawmakers he expects a more than 30% production increase by the start of the 2033 fiscal year.
a power plant

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative proposes nearly 15% average rate increase

President and CEO Bill Stamm said that the cooperative is proposing a rate increase because “everything is more expensive.”
caribou

Oil field road traffic disrupts North Slope caribou more than previously recognized

A new study adds to mounting evidence about caribou sensitivity to roads, raising questions about further development in their habitat.
an oil drilling site

As Conoco’s Willow project advances, 2 local governments have withdrawn their criticism

Nuiqsut's tribal and city councils last year blasted the “endless expansion of oil development and the complete encirclement of our village."
a sign

Rural Chugach Electric customers deal with ‘excessive’ winter outages

The utility says the primary culprit is the above-average snowfall that has impacted all of Southcentral Alaska this winter.
the Alaska State Capitol

From natural gas to psychedelic medicine, a look at some of the bills filed ahead of Alaska’s legislative session

Ahead of their return to the Capitol, lawmakers are using pre-session bill filings to lay out priorities for the months to come.
Solar panels stretching off into the distance connected by electrical wire.

Alaska lawmakers eye bills on neighborhood solar, green bank and renewable energy benchmarks

There are at least three bills to watch this coming legislative session that are aimed at growing Alaska’s renewable energy production.
a building

Federal energy grants help lighten Alaska nonprofits’ load

Nonprofits typically run on a shoestring, and energy — which the $4 million in federal funding assists with — is usually their second-highest expense.
fuel

Yukon-Kuskokwim communities seek answers about poor-performing Vitus Energy heating fuel

Vitus Energy says it's sending fuel additives to Kuskokwim River residents whose heating fuel gelled at low temperatures late last month.
the Willow project

State labor department forecasts modest job growth in 2024 fueled by infrastructure and energy spending

A new report predicts the state will add 5,400 jobs in 2024, a 1.7% increase, with bright spots in construction, mining and oil and gas.
A big boxy building with a smokestack next to it sending up steam

Feds award $9M to research carbon capture for proposed Southcentral Alaska coal power plant

Carbon capture storage is drawing attention at the state level, though critics say it’s expensive and may not have a large impact on emissions.
Seward

Seward council approves rate increase after failed electric utility sale

Officials had warned of an increase, estimated at $36 a month for average users, after voters twice rejected a city-backed sale of the local electric utility.
a drilling rig

ConocoPhillips announces official go-ahead for huge Willow oil project in Alaska

Construction is already underway on the North Slope drilling project, which the company expects to create about 300 long-term jobs.
The Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska facility

From gas to power lines to a green bank: A look at some of Gov. Dunleavy’s energy proposals

Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined a variety of ideas to address Alaska’s energy needs in his budget proposal. Here’s a closer look at a few.
a sign

Appeals court says work at Alaska’s Willow oil project can proceed as larger case plays out

The move is another loss for conservation groups and an Inupiat organization that are seeking to stop the project.