When U.S. Superior Judge Sharon Gleason issued two rulings in late March, the majority of the people taking issue with her decisions focused on how she effectively blocked oil and gas development in the Outer Continental Shelf. Power The Future spoke about that ruling extensively on the Power The Future Energy Hour (Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 PM Alaska Standard Time on KVNT 1020 AM, 92.5 FM and online at 1020KVNT.com). The second ruling was overlooked by many but had potential life-and-death consequences. The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge encompasses only 492 acres, making it the smallest refuge in Alaska. The villages of Cold Bay…

With 90% of Alaska’s state revenue driven by responsible resource extraction, it is always good news when companies across the state announce additional opportunities for increased production. Recently, British Petroleum Alaska completed 3-D seismic testing, designed to find pockets of oil in the 40-year-old Prudhoe Bay oil fields. According to Janet Weiss, BP Alaska’s President, the goal of that endeavor and others is to extend the life of the field another 40 years. “It’s about 40 more, it really is. When you think about Alaska in an energy renaissance, it’s really important to have the strength of that foundation. You’ve got to…

After months of “input” – mostly comments by anti-everything environmentalists – the Municipality of Anchorage recently made public its Climate Action Plan. The 106-page document lays out the framework for future policies to reduce carbon emissions. But is this a balanced, responsible plan? Or the work of the eco-left? In a recent article, Shaina Kilcoyne, Energy and Sustainability Manager at the Municipality’s Solid Waste Services stated, “We do have a big goal to reduce our emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and that is both ambitious and necessary.  And this plan puts us on that path.  But frankly, it doesn’t go…

Alaska – the name itself is derived from the Aleut word “Alyeska”, which translates to “The Great Land.” With natural splendor across its more than 365 million acres, the 737 thousand people who live here marvel at the natural backdrops we open our eyes to each and every day. Alaskans get a chance to take in scenery that is on nearly everyone’s bucket lists – the mountains, rivers, lakes, meadows and shorelines bringing us within a stone’s throw of some of the world’s greatest natural wonders, as well as fish, foul and other wildlife that most will only see in…