After Goldman Sachs announced it would not finance oil drilling in the Arctic, Gov. Mike Dunleavy suggested he could cut off the millions of dollars a year that the state pays the Wall Street firm. Now Goldman is playing defense: Last week, it hired a Juneau lobbyist to represent its interests in Alaska.
Energy & Mining
Alaska’s largest rural solar project set to break ground in Kotzebue
The city of Kotzebue has used wind power for decades to supplement its diesel fuel use. Now it’s about to break ground on a new solar energy project.
Alaskans split over proposed BP sale during 6 hours of public comment
It was the first time Alaskans could provide in-person comments to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska about one of the state’s biggest oil industry deals.
On warming North Slope, one flood response last year cost pipeline operator $10M
As the North Slope has become wetter and warmer, its rivers have been running at record high levels.
Dunleavy promotes resource development in speech to Alaska business leaders
The governor says the state is in a good position on multiple fronts. One is the warming Arctic, which could allow for shipping across the Arctic Ocean. Another is the demand for minerals that are used in electronics.
In another step forward, state approves pipeline lease for Donlin Gold mine
The lease is an important step forward in Donlin Gold’s quest to build the Southwest Alaska mine, which could be one of the largest in the world if completed.
Despite being in a rainforest, solar energy is on the rise in Kake
While installing solar panels has allowed some people and organizations in Kake to cut their energy bills, the impact on the local grid is more complicated.
Dunleavy introduces 4 bills linked to ‘open for business’ theme
The bills would decrease the unemployment insurance tax rate paid by businesses and change regulations on professional licenses, timber sales and geothermal development.
An Anchorage attorney made a fortune fighting Big Oil in Alaska court. Now he’s funding the campaign to raise their taxes.
The initiative targets some of Alaska’s oldest and largest oil fields, and it would levy what Robin Brena’s side estimates as an additional $1 billion in taxes on the state’s biggest producers: BP, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.
Agency overseeing BP-Hilcorp deal will hold public hearing, denying companies’ request
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…