The U.S. Senate voted earlier this evening on a measure that could open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling rigs before the end of the year. It’s far from a done deal. This is just the first stage in a Senate process known as “budget reconciliation.”
Energy & Mining
On Alaska day, lawmakers and staff met on oil and gas taxes
The meeting was public — sort of. It wasn’t easily accessible. There was no way to call in. The legislative information office, or LIO, was closed for the state holiday. So the meeting wasn’t streamed like others are during the legislative session.
State corporation sets December deadline to find customers for Alaska’s gas
Lawmakers peppered Cruz and other members of the corporation’s executive board with questions about project finances, employee turnover and how much money the state expects to make on its share of the project.
In Iliamna, EPA hears mixed reactions to its new course on Pebble Mine
Unlike the hearing the day before in Dillingham — where public input was unanimously against the proposed Pebble Mine and EPA’s new course — the reaction in Iliamna was more mixed.
Pebble opponents hammer EPA for changed course at Dillingham meeting
The Environmental Protection Agency is backing away from the use of preemptive Clean Water Act restrictions against large-scale mining in the Bristol Bay watershed. That comes as part of a settlement with the Pebble Limited Partnership, and the company now says it is preparing to file for permits.
Democrats in Congress join fight against Pebble Mine
Forty-two members of the U.S. House and Senate wrote President Donald Trump and asked him Wednesday to overrule Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.
New bill aims to reverse Obama restrictions on offshore drilling
A U.S. House panel took up a bill Wednesday that would, among other things, block new environmental and safety standards the Obama administration imposed on Arctic offshore drilling.
As Trump administration removes federal roadblocks, Pebble Mine fight shifts to state
Now that the Trump administration has removed a major roadblock, Alaskans can expect a lot more action at the state level.
Industry, environmental groups speak out as Hilcorp paves the way for drilling in federal Arctic waters
The oil and gas company Hilcorp wants to build a gravel island in shallow waters in the Beaufort Sea, east of Prudhoe Bay.
Judge overrules state, says salmon initiative can go forward
A controversial ballot initiative intended to protect salmon habitat has cleared a major hurdle, setting up what could be an intense political fight.