Alaska's Energy Desk

Alaska has lost more than 2,000 jobs in the oil and gas industry since last year, as the state faces its first real recession in nearly three decades. Tony DeHaven can’t afford to be out of work. He has two teenage kids at home with their college years just around the corner.

Alaska has lost more than 2,000 jobs in the oil and gas industry since last year, as the state faces its first real recession in nearly three decades. Brad Campbell worked as a financial analyst for BP for more than 15 years.

Rachel Mills went from being a botanist for an oil and gas contractor, to managing Urban Greens. She’s part of a wave of Alaskans who have lost work in the last year, as the state has seen its first real dip in jobs in nearly three decades.

“We don’t want to move quickly at all costs,” said Alaska BP regional manager David VanTuyl. “We don’t want to rush into the largest energy project in North America that only ends up losing lots of money for all of us.”

Walker is now under fire from industry representatives and lawmakers who say the state is backtracking on payments it already owes and still must pay.

Biologists know cruise ships are affecting seals but not how much.