NOAA extends beluga comment period 01/17/2010
At the request of Alaska's congressional delegation the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has extended by 30 days the public comment period on the proposed designation of 3,000 square mi...

Chukchi air permit takes Shell closer to 2010 drilling program 01/17/2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Jan. 7 decision to propose an amended air quality permit for Shell's planned exploration drilling in the Arctic Alaska outer continental shelf of the Chukchi...

Salazar launches 'major reforms' for onshore leasing program 01/10/2010
Secretary of the Interior says reforms include new guidance to field managers, new reviews
Citing pushback from the public on the level of onshore oil and gas leasing under the Bush administration, President Obama's Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, said in a Jan. 6 press conference t...

Obama picks Persily as new coordinator 12/13/2009
Veteran of state government, journalism will replace Pearce, lead small agency designed to streamline work on Alaska gas pipeline
President Obama on Dec. 9 announced he'll nominate Larry Persily of Juneau for the job of federal coordinator for Alaska natural gas transportation projects. If confirmed by the Senate, Persily will r...

Beluga territory 12/06/2009
NMFS designates 3,016 square miles of CI beluga whale critical habitat
While controversy has reigned over the National Marine Fisheries Service October 2008 listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale under the Endangered Species Act, NMFS has moved ahead with making a determ...

Pearce steps down as gas line coordinator 11/22/2009
President asked for resignation; legislative aide Persily says feds are checking his background for 'possible federal position'
Drue Pearce, the first and so far the only person to hold the position of federal coordinator for Alaska natural gas transportation projects, announced Nov. 16 she'll vacate the job at the request of...

$15M for Alaska geothermal projects 11/15/2009
The Obama administration's economic stimulus package is providing $15 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Energy for geothermal projects in the State of Alaska, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-...

Mining Explorers 2009: Coeur regains tailings permit 11/01/2009
High Court ruling allows miner to construct tailings facility; first gold in 2010
Hailed as a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 to uphold Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp.'s tailings disposal permit at the Kensington gold mine located about 45 miles, or 73 kilometers northw...

Massive OCS feedback 10/25/2009
NOAA, Natives oppose much of 2010-'15 leasing plan; drillers, lawmakers endorse
A key scientific agency is advising the Obama administration against oil and gas leasing in large portions of the nation's Outer Continental Shelf. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration...

OK for Shell plan 10/25/2009
MMS approves Beaufort Sea 2010 drilling if permitting requirements met
On Oct. 19 Shell passed another major milestone in its multiyear quest to start exploration drilling on Alaska's Arctic outer continental shelf, when the U.S. Minerals Management Service approved the...

House bill requires two tugs for tankers 10/11/2009
Provision in Coast Guard bill would extend dual escorts even to ships with double hulls; similar legislation pending in Senate
Federal legislation authorizing Coast Guard appropriations for 2010 has a provision expanding the requirement for dual tug escorts of oil tankers traveling through Alaska's Prince William Sound. The C...

New OCS leasing plan draws mixed state, local reviews 09/27/2009
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell among supporters of proposed Alaska sales in 2010-2015, but others fear for Bristol Bay fisheries, Arctic wildlife; Sen. Begich has some concerns
Voices pro and con sounded strongly as the federal government closed out public comment Sept. 21 on its proposed 2010-15 Outer Continental Shelf leasing program. In Alaska, much of the passion centere...

Arctic Directory: Alaska Railroad receives $26M grant 09/20/2009
The Alaska Railroad said June 19 that it is receiving a grant for $25.8 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Federal Transit Administration, under the U.S. Department of Trans...

Mining News: Corps gives go-ahead for Kensington Mine 08/30/2009
After years of litigation, Coeur Alaska prepares to construct tailings facility; EPA tells state agency it will not oppose permit
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Aug. 14 re-issued a long-disputed tailings permit to Coeur Alaska for the Kensington Mine. Modifications to the permit extend its expiration to 2014, offsetting the fo...

Begich introduces Arctic bills in Senate 08/09/2009
Calls for investment in science, coordinated research; cites costs of replacing public infrastructure; asks for treaty ratification
Alaska Sen. Mark Begich used his maiden speech Aug. 3 to call for addressing changes in the Arctic brought on by global warming. The freshman senator announced the introduction of seven bills aimed a...

Mining News: EPA wants second look at Kensington plan 07/26/2009
The federal agency seeks re-evaluation of gold project's tailings permit; leaders say Supreme Court ruling should be final word
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take another look at the tailings disposal permit it issued for the Kensington gold project near Juneau. In a Jul...

Oil Patch Bits: Alaska Railroad receives $26M grant 06/28/2009
The Alaska Railroad said June 19 that it is receiving a grant for $25.8 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Federal Transit Administration, under the U.S. Department of Trans...

NSF funds Alaska region research vessel 06/07/2009
The National Science Foundation's first major award under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go to help construct the Alaska region research vessel, a 242-foot ship to be operated by the...

Oil Patch Insider 06/07/2009
When you're down, you're down...; war of words on gas line progress under Gov. Palin
Reeling from low commodity prices, the Canadian petroleum industry got some soothing words from Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, author of his province's widely condemned royalty overhaul. Under the new r...

Murkowski, Begich introduce escort bill 05/24/2009
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, introduced legislation May 14 that would require all tankers transporting oil in Alaska's Prince William Sound to be escorted by at leas...

In listening mode 04/19/2009
Salazar hears Alaska perspectives on offshore oil and gas development
Hailed by the Resource Development Council as "perhaps the most important public hearing to be held in Alaska in years," preceded by a "march for jobs" involving a chanting assortment of helmet-wearin...

Justice drops case against Stevens 04/05/2009
The Justice Department said April 1 it would drop corruption charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens because prosecutors withheld evidence from the senator's defense team during his trial. The reversa...

ANGDA postpones April conference 04/05/2009
The Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority is postponing a conference to promote and discuss the potential for value-added petrochemical industries in Alaska. The conference was originally scheduled...

Congressional delegation, governor object 03/29/2009
Meeting requested with president to discuss Alaska's management of Arctic; Palin says request based on 'false premises'
Alaska's congressional delegation and its governor have registered strong objections to a letter from 67 House Democrats, urging President Obama to make the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildli...

Polar bears and the Endangered Species Act 03/29/2009
The May 2008 listing of the polar bear as threatened marked a pivotal point in the use of the U.S. Endangered Species Act as a tool to address the conservation of a species whose possible demise would...