The Regulatory Commission of Alaska, which is overseeing Hilcorp’s purchase of BP’s stake in the trans-Alaska pipeline, plans to hold a six-hour public hearing on the deal in February, denying a request by the companies to approve the transaction without one. The commission announced the hearing Jan. 17, saying it had received public comments both…
Nat Herz, Alaska Public Media
Federal judge rejects North Slope tribe’s challenge to Conoco drilling program
A judge ruled that an environmental review of ConocoPhillips’ exploration work did not violate federal conservation laws, as the Nuiqsut tribal government and environmental groups alleged.
Opening the Arctic Refuge brought Alaska’s largest Native corporation $22.5M from BP and Chevron
Arctic Slope Regional Corp. has long been one of the most aggressive advocates for opening ANWR to oil development.
As Alaska warms, residents of its biggest city adjust to winters defined by ice as much as snow
As Alaska’s fast-warming climate starts to disrupt typical seasonal patterns, residents of the state’s largest city are being forced to renegotiate their relationship with winters that now seem defined by ice as much as snow.
Polar bear protections delayed oil exploration in the Arctic Refuge. A new study could help.
By using heat-sensing cameras to detect dens, and accepting strict limits on when to survey, impacts could be dramatically reduced.
Longstanding tensions underlie Arctic Slope Regional Corporation’s withdrawal from AFN
Long before it announced its withdrawal from AFN, there were signs of a schism between ASRC and the most influential Native advocacy group.
Alaska utility regulators ask Hilcorp, BP for more details on $5.6B deal
The state commission that regulates public utilities asked the companies for more documents about the purchase and sale.
A Colorado wildcatter found a huge new North Slope oil field. Now it’s buying up new federal leases in Alaska.
Armstrong Oil and Gas, which found and then sold a massive field on Alaska’s North Slope, just bought up about 1 million acres in oil leases in the National Petroleum Reserve.
In new budget, Dunleavy retreats from cuts but still favors big PFDs
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a new state spending plan Wednesday that retreats from some of his aggressive budget-cutting proposals, while still pushing for larger permanent fund dividends.
Alaska lawmakers will likely temper Dunleavy’s new budget. Maybe by a lot.
“No one has a slam dunk on this,” said Anchorage Republican Rep. Jennifer Johnston. “The governor’s budget is the start. It’s not the finish.”