As the dust settles from the election lawmakers find themselves in a new world, with plenty of new faces — but facing some of the same issues that kept them locked in Juneau last session.
Energy & Mining
Alaska Native corporation acquires oil and gas leases in Arctic waters
The Alaska Native corporation representing the North Slope has bought two federal leases in the Beaufort sea formerly owned by Shell. That gives the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, or ASRC, the right to explore for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean, which has historically been controversial in the region.
Walker names Anchorage lawyer Kendall to replace Whitaker as chief of staff
Kendall said he’ll be like a basketball point guard for Walker’s team, helping the administration achieve its goals.
Wood energy grants again offered in Alaska
The U.S. Forest Service grants have helped design boilers and plan wood-pellet mills in Southeast and Interior Alaska communities.
Dakota Access pipeline protesters march in Anchorage
Alaskans joined protesters around the country Tuesday staging demonstrations against the Dakota Access pipeline project, including two in Anchorage.
Juneau locals protest DAPL outside senators’ offices
One participant said there were 30 to 40 people carrying signs, chanting and protesting a variety of issues including corporate influence, environmental issues and indigenous rights.
Obama’s Alaska regulations could cling long into Trump’s term
As a candidate, President-elect Donald Trump said he’d liberate business by striking as much as 70 percent of federal regulations. Trump vowed to dump Obama-era policies and unleash the energy industry to produce more oil, gas and coal.
Trump’s election overshadows energy pipeline protests around the U.S.
Pipelines are center stage in a fight over the nation’s energy future, concerns about climate change and private property rights. Donald Trump’s election means the battles are likely to continue.
Wind farm developer asks court to overturn state agency’s approval of GVEA tariff
Delta Wind Farm President and CEO Mike Craft is taking the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to court. Craft is asking a judge to overturn the commission’s approval of a Golden Valley Electric Association tariff filed last summer, claiming the tariff violates new state regulations intended to help renewable-energy projects like his access the grid.
Obama’s last chance to weigh in on Arctic drilling has industry worried, enviros hopeful
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s upset victory, President Barack Obama still has two months left in office, to close out policy decisions and try to cement any final pieces of his legacy.