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Shell Gets Permission To Begin Chukchi Operations
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
The U.S. Department of Interior has granted Shell Oil the go-ahead to begin operations in the Chukchi Sea. While both parties are deeming the move a success, it does not allow Shell to drill for oil just yet, and the calendar is working against them.
Eva Creek Wind Farm Nears Completion
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Construction is nearing completion on the state’s largest wind farm: Golden Valley Electric Association’s $93 million Eva Creek Project. A ribbon cutting held Wednesday at the hill top site near Healy.
Famous Skin Sewer Dies at Over 100
Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – Bethel
One of most renowned Yup’ik skin sewers has died. Lucy Beaver passed away in Anchorage August 23. No one’s exactly sure how old she was but they agree she was at least over 100.
Vandals Destroy Greenhouses, Break Into Reindeer Pens
Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks
Vandals broke into the reindeer pens and destroyed the greenhouses on the southwestern corner of campus at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks late last Wednesday night. The incident may have contributed to the death of on reindeer calf. Another calf was injured and an entire growing season’s worth of data is a loss for one researcher.
Western Aleutian Volcano Starts Rumbling
Alexandra Guiterrez, KUCB – Unalaska
A remote volcano in the western Aleutians has started rumbling.
An earthquake swarm at Little Sitkin started around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and picked up Thursday morning, prompting the Alaska Volcano Observatory to put the volcano on watch. So far, no eruptive activity has been detected.
Sitka Looking To Sell Two Vacant Properties
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
Officials in Sitka are looking to offload two pieces of vacant city property. And they’re hoping the land can be used to develop affordable housing.
The city will seek proposals for land along Halibut Point Road that it calls “The Old City Shops” property. Voters in 2006 approved the land for affordable housing, but there’s been little movement on the plans so far.
They’re also looking at another parcel called the “Benchlands.”
State, Native Corporations Seek Partnerships For Future Arctic Energy
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
International eyes are turning to the Arctic as a rich source of energy, and some Alaska Native corporations are looking ahead to securing a strong position in future infrastructure development and ownership. At the Arctic Imperative Summit in Girdwood last weekend, state agency officials mixed with Native corporation representatives for a look at possible partnerships.
