Democrats demand Trump administration stop offshore oil leasing work during shutdown

It was spurred by Interior's decision last week to bring in 40 employees to work on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's national offshore oil leasing plan. That plan, as initially drafted, would open up far more of Alaska's federal waters to oil development.

New EPA head for Alaska talks Pebble, budget cuts and climate change

Hladick said his boss -- EPA administrator Scott Pruitt -- recently called him up seeking some local knowledge, on a hot topic for many Alaskans: the proposed Pebble Mine. Listen now

Legislature releases audit of Alaska’s gasline corporation

Auditors found that, generally, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has followed the restrictions placed on spending the $480 million it has gotten from the state over the last eight years.

Judge dismisses challenges to oil lease sales in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska

Environmental groups had argued the federal Bureau of Land Management did not do an adequate environmental review before it held oil lease sales in 2016 and 2017.

ANWR drilling foes see chance to sow doubt

What can opponents of drilling in the Arctic Refuge expect to accomplish with control of just one chamber of Congress? Momentum.

Walker wants to borrow money to pay $900 million in oil tax credits

The tax credits are scheduled to be paid off fully in 2025. Walker and the Department of Revenue are proposing paying them off by 2019 at a discount. Listen now

Archaeology in northern Alaska: a race against the clock

"If you see a library burning, you should at least try and get the rare books out," said archaeologist Anne Jensen. Listen now

With replacements and resignation, Walker consolidates control of gas line project

You don't normally associate "state gas line corporation" and "drama" - but this weekend, the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corporation was the source of all kinds of drama. Download Audio:

These Anchorage students skipped school to attend a climate protest. Here’s why, in their own words

Despite pouring rain, about 300 people of all ages gathered at a park in midtown Anchorage to take part in the global protest.

Kodiak moves toward electric heat with planned hydro expansion

The Kodiak Electric Association is expanding hydropower capacity, and offering an incentive to the borough to make the shift to electric heat. Listen now

As summer ends, daily high temperature records fall around the state

In climate terms, Wednesday marks the official end of summer. That’s because June, July and August are the hottest months of the year. And in Alaska, it was really hot this summer. Listen now

Changes to oil tax bill scale back incentives for new oil

With just over a week left in the legislative session, lawmakers are wrangling over the always-contentious issue of oil taxes. Gov. Bill Walker had requested a complete overhaul of the state's oil and gas tax credit program. The House Resources scaled back that proposal. Now, a third committee has weighed in. The House Finance committee chose a middle route -- while also introducing some changes that weren't even in the governor's bill. Download Audio

Statoil will exit Alaska, following Shell

Norwegian oil company Statoil said Tuesday (Nov. 17) that it will end exploration efforts in the Chukchi Sea and close its Anchorage office. The decision comes just two months after Shell ended its quest to drill in the Arctic Ocean, citing disappointing results at its first well. Download Audio

BP’s Alaska exit no surprise, say experts and industry insiders

BP's exit from Alaska was rumored long before it was officially announced on Tuesday. But that's not the only reason the company's $5.6 billion deal with Hilcorp is far from surprising, experts and industry insiders said.

In Newtok, residents worry the encroaching river will destroy a way of life

When the river takes the first houses, the village could start to scatter. And Newtok’s blend of the modern and traditional could erode away with the land. Listen now

Our reporter is trying to learn more about Hilcorp. Here’s how you can help.

Alaska's Energy Desk reporter Nat Herz is exploring Hilcorp's company culture as it's set to become one of the biggest players in Alaska's oil industry. He's written an open letter to Hilcorp employees asking for their help.

As sea ice changes in a warming Arctic, new challenges for polar bear research

“There’s probably going to be a greater amount of uncertainty with some of the information that we’re able to provide, because it’s simply not going to be as precise as it used to be,” said wildlife biologist Todd Atwood.

State fund for renewable power falls prey to budget woes

Since 2008, the state has set aside a pot of money for renewable energy projects like small dams and wind turbines. Called the Renewable Energy Fund, the projects it's backed have replaced tens of millions of gallons of expensive diesel in communities from Skagway to Nome. Listen now
A forest floor

Alaskans react to Trump Administration’s Roadless Rule rollback in the Tongass

Proponents of the change say that the industry is at risk of disappearing, while environmentalists and Indigenous tribes say that logging threatens the ecosystem.

Forest Service kicks off Roadless Rule discussion in Juneau

People who attended the meeting had a lot of questions about the process.