TransCanada works convince state lawmakers to hand over $500 million to the company to begin developing a gas pipeline. Plus, Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S. is visiting Alaska. He calls the similarities between the 49th state and Greenland fascinating. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
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TransCanada-Alaska puts gas line case before the legislature
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The Palin administration took its turn today before legislators considering whether to approve a license that will allow TransCanada to begin work developing a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope. Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin and TransCanada-Alaska’s President Tony Palmer presented the proposal’s structure and the relationship between the company and the state if the license is approved.
Fisheries managers want to balance pollock catch against salmon returns
Casey Kelly, KMXT – Kodiak
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, meeting in Kodiak today, narrowed down its options for reducing King salmon bycatch by the Bering Sea pollock fleet. The unintentional snaring of Chinook salmon by pollock boats has skyrocketed in recent years, and comes as subsistence and commercial fishermen in western Alaska have noticed less of the fish returning to their streams and river systems.
Two-person crew rescued by Coast Guard as ‘Andromeda’ sinks
Charles Homans, KIAL – Unalaska
Two crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard after a fishing boat sank off the Alaska Peninsula last night.
Climate change bill hits procedure snag, but lives on
Joel Southern, APRN – Washington, DC
The Lieberman-Warner climate change bill fell 12 votes short of the 60 needed to overcome a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate today. Even so, supporters are claiming a moral victory when they count the number of senators who either voted for moving forward or indicated they would have if they had been present to vote.
Interview: Danish Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
If you think $4, $5 or $6 a gallon sounds like a lot to pay for gas, imagine shelling out $10 a gallon instead. That’s what citizens of Denmark pay. Fuel there is heavily taxed, in part to encourage conservation. Danish Ambassador Friis Petersen is in Alaska this week to talk about energy issues. Greenland — a self-governing province of Denmark — is poised to begin developing oil and gas resources. And Petersen is interested in the development lessons Alaska has to offer.
Y-K Health Corp to close abused youth receiving center in wake of state cuts
Kenny Steele, KYUK – Bethel
The State is looking at where to put abused and neglected youth in the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta once Bethel’s emergency receiving home shuts its doors. The state cut funding to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), and in turn YKHC is closing the emergency receiving home.
Audio Postcard: Celebration 2008
John Ryan, KTOO – Juneau
Celebration 2008 began yesterday morning in Juneau with a grand entrance procession of 50 Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian dance groups down the city’s Willoughby Avenue.
