In Southeast Alaska, the frigid conditions have had a direct impact on the way people power their homes.
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau
Alaska Sea Grant program “hopeful but not confident” funding won’t be cut
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received a surprise on Friday: The Trump administration is proposing deep cuts to the organization.
Is the Antiquities Act antiquated? Murkowski wants Alaskans approval for future national monuments
The Antiquities Act, which is used to designate national monuments, is “as relevant in Alaska as anywhere else and maybe even more because of climate change,” according to Erik Grafe with Earthjustice.
Juneau’s electric utility says natural gas not in the plans anymore
Tim McLeod, AEL&P’s president, says the company thought heating with natural gas could save customers money but circumstances have changed.
Ask the Energy Desk: Are plastic bag bans better for the environment?
Bans on plastic grocery bags have been cropping up across Alaska’s remote communities. Cordova’s ban went into effect last year. But so far, the larger cities in the state have yet to adopt one.
Can home wood pellet boilers go from fringe to mainstream?
The Ketchikan airport has one. So does the Walter Sobeloff Building in downtown Juneau. Now, a fringe group of homeowners are installing wood pellet boilers to heat their homes.
Alaska’s infrastructure report card probably not going on the fridge
Is Alaska on the honor roll for its energy grid and water systems? According to the American Society of Civil Engineers the answer is “no.”
What road lies ahead for Juneau’s electric cars?
It’s estimated there are over 100 fully electric vehicles in the city, with one or two arriving by ferry or barge or week. Even though there are several electric vehicles in Juneau, AEL&P’s Alec Mesdag says, that doesn’t mean there’s the same type of demands as other cities.
Alaska’s budget, easier to swallow with ice cream and beer
The Alaska legislature has a lot on its plate trying to fix the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit. Economist Gunnar Knapp says Alaskans have been very good at announcing what they don’t want, but now they need to think about what they will accept.Sometimes a scoop of ice cream or a swig of beer can help that reality go down easier.
After months of controversy, Deer Mountain might not be logged after all
With a federal land swap in the works, the Alaska Mental Health Trust says they’ll pass on the controversial timber sale.