State to measure extent of toxic chemical spread in Gustavus
This project’s goal is to monitor what’s called a “plume” — the area where the chemicals have moved over time through soil and groundwater.
At home in an avalanche path: Why Juneauites buy and keep homes in a hazard zone
Decades of studies have pointed to the very real possibility of a big, destructive slide in this Juneau neighborhood’s future. But a mix of personal choices and policy decisions keeps people in at-risk areas.
Alaska agency moves to spend $1.5 million on Arctic Refuge development, setting up clash with Biden administration
The Biden administration has moved to block development in the refuge — and AIDEA’s move could put the two sides on track for a battle in court.
Ravn Alaska to purchase fleet of electric aircraft
The manufacturer says their planes will need half the length of a typical runway for taking off, which could make them optimal for more rugged runways.
Tiny insects ate the needles off a half million acres of Tongass hemlocks. Most of the trees will be fine.
Scientists are tracking the damage. They want to know the extent of the forest affected and how many trees don’t pull through.
Alaska joins states seeking to block youth climate activists’ lawsuit
The 21 plaintiffs in the case, who filed their lawsuit in Oregon, allege that federal government promotion of fossil fuels and the lack of policies to reduce them violates their constitutional rights.
State sells 8 oil and gas leases in Cook Inlet
This is the first time a company other than Hilcorp Alaska has won leases in a state sale since 2015.
Bioengineered salmon available for the the first time in US
AquaBounty’s salmon is a genetic mixture of three different fish — Atlantic salmon, chinook salmon and the eel-like ocean pout.
In Southeast Alaska, high-end tourism businesses feast as cruise industry weathers famine
The tourism industry is on an undeniable rebound, but only some businesses are returning to profitability.
Florida lawsuit could end Alaska cruise season, CDC says
Without the conditional sailing order, the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act can’t apply. That would leave the 19th-century Passenger Vessel Services Act in place.
Federal appeals court rules Trump administration was wrong to reverse protections for Pacific walrus
The ruling comes more than a decade after the Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group, first petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the walrus as endangered or threatened.
About Alaska’s Energy Desk
Alaska’s Energy Desk is a collaboration between KTOO in Juneau, Alaska Public Media in Anchorage, KUCB in Unalaska, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks, KBRW in Utqiaġvik and KYUK in Bethel. Each week we produce in-depth coverage of energy issues in Alaska that air on local stations, the Alaska Public Radio Network and on national news programs.
More about Alaska’s Energy Desk >