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Are big energy projects the solution for Alaska’s budget crisis?

What's the prognosis for big energy projects in Alaska? Shell's abandoned the Arctic and state lawmakers are about to duke it out over an expensive new natural gas line. We'll dig into fossil fuel projects. Is the proposed gas line a real solution for the state's budget crisis or CPR on a flailing economy? APRN: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at 10:00am Download Audio
The sun sets on the Polar Pioneer in Unalaska's Broad Bay in 2015. (Photo by John Ryan, KUCB - Unalaska)

Obama Administration cancels offshore lease sales, citing lack of interest

The Interior Department won't auction off drilling rights in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in the next two years. The auctions would have been the first in the Arctic Ocean since 2008, and the first under President Obama. Download Audio

State finalizes purchase of Fairbanks Natural Gas

Interior Alaska residents are expected to see a drop in their energy bills this winter now that the state has purchased Fairbanks Natural Gas.

Walker: I’ll pull reserves tax if AKLNG partners cement withdrawal agreement

With two days to go until the session opens, it’s already off to a testy start. Download Audio

BLM approves drilling permit in Alaska petroleum reserve

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has approved a drilling permit that it says will open the way for the first oil and gas production from federal land in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Download Audio

What is the Alaska LNG project? We break it down: Part 1

Lawmakers are heading to Juneau to discuss the Alaska LNG project - a so-called "gigaproject" with a price tag of $45-$65 billion. But if you're like a lot of Alaskans, you might be a little fuzzy on the details. So we break it down. Download Audio
Gov. Bill Walker at a press conference in the Capitol, Oct. 23, 2015. He announced that he was dropping a proposed natural gas reserves tax from the special session agenda. (Photo by Jeremy Hsieh/KTOO)

Gov pulls reserves tax from special session

Gov. Bill Walker has pulled a controversial reserves tax from consideration during the legislature’s special session, after receiving assurances from the state’s partners in the Alaska LNG project that should any one company pull out, it would not withhold its gas from the project.

What is Alaska LNG? Part 2: Meet the liquifaction plant

If it goes forward, the Alaska LNG project is expected to cost a whopping $45-$65 billion -- and roughly half of that cost would be a giant liquefaction plant. APRN's Rachel Waldholz visited an LNG plant, to find out what all the fuss is about.

Lawmakers relieved as Gov. Walker removes contentious gas reserves tax from agenda

Lawmakers are in Juneau this week for a special session on the state’s massive gas line project. The session may be a little less contentious - and a little shorter - than expected, after the Governor pulled one item on the agenda, at the last minute.

To buyout, or not to buyout? The Legislature debates

The Legislature is meeting in Juneau this week for a special session on the Alaska LNG project -- that’s the proposal to build a giant natural gas pipeline from the North Slope. The big question before lawmakers this session is whether the state should take a larger stake in the project, by buying out one of its partners. Download Audio

Lawmakers scrutinize risks, rewards of TransCanada buyout

Buying out TransCanada puts the state on the hook for $7 billion more in construction costs if the Alaska LNG project ends up going forward. But the governor and his team argue it’s worth it to get more control -- and perhaps more revenue down the line. Download Audio

Walker proposes Permanent Fund overhaul to cover deficit

Gov. Walker wants to overhaul the way Alaska uses the Permanent Fund. His plan would turn the state’s various savings accounts into a kind of endowment, using their earnings to fund state operations. Download Audio

Lawmakers scrutinize risks, rewards of TransCanada buyout

Buying out TransCanada puts the state on the hook for $7 billion more in construction costs if the Alaska LNG project ends up going forward. But the governor and his team argue it’s worth it to get more control -- and perhaps more revenue down the line. Download Audio

Shell reports $6B in Q3 losses

Royal Dutch Shell has announced its quarterly financial results and they're not good. Adjusted for changes and one-time tems, earnings fell 70 percent.

TransCanada official expresses support for gas project

An official with TransCanada Corp. says the Canadian pipeline company strongly believes in the Alaska liquefied natural gas project it's currently a partner in. But Vincent Lee told the House Finance Committee the company supports Gov. Bill Walker's recommendation that the state buy out TransCanada's interest. He called it a mutual dissolution.

Lawmakers: TransCanada buyout likely, but is state ready?

Lawmakers say it’s all but inevitable they'll approve the governor’s request to buy out TransCanada and take a larger stake in the Alaska LNG project. But they are raising concerns about the state’s ability to take the company’s place. Download Audio

Lawmakers ask, who’s in charge of gas line? Walker says, I am

As the legislature closes out the first week of its special session on the Alaska LNG gas line project, there’s one question in the air -- what’s the hold up? But Republican leaders in the House say they’re not yet ready to take a vote -- and they won’t be until they’re convinced the state has a plan to take over TransCanada’s role in the project. Download Audio

S&P calls proposed Permanent Fund plan ‘favorable’

The credit rating agency Standard & Poor's has awarded good marks to Gov. Bill Walker's proposed changes to how the Alaska Permanent Fund is used.

Senate votes to buy out TransCanada, take larger stake in Alaska LNG

The State Senate voted 16 to 3 on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to buy out TransCanada and take a larger stake in the Alaska LNG gas pipeline project. Download Audio