Joe Biden Targets Alaska In His Embrace Of The Green New Deal

June 4, 2019

When Joe Biden first announced his run for President, he did so with talking points that seemed to suggest he was going to go against the grain of the typical 2020 Democratic hopefuls and run to the middle. Of course, with far-left politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and organizations such as the Sunrise Movement gaining prominence, it was only a matter of time before Biden’s views on energy and the environment would come to mirror theirs. And that’s exactly what happened. After AOC and others belittled Biden for his “middle of the road” approach on the environment, Biden moved left, announcing today…

Trump Administration Sues to Allow Development of Life-Saving Izembek Road

May 30, 2019

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…

Tongass Logging’s Recovery Brings Out the Eco-Extremists to Fight It

May 29, 2019

The Tongass National Forest – the U.S.’s largest – used to be a base of operations for several logging companies. In 1990, there were more than 4,000 employees in Alaska, when both logging and mill operations were counted. Then came the Clinton administration, where a war on clear-cutting became the standard operating procedure for the environmentalists who had the administration’s ears.  By 2010, there were only 400 or so Alaskans involved in the industry. With President Trump signaling a renewed interest in putting Americans to work, the Forest Service plans on offering leases in the Tongass, beginning later this year….

Sen. Murkowski Continues Putting Alaska in Prime Position for Arctic Opportunities

May 28, 2019

When U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke recently at the Arctic Council Ministerial in Finland, she highlighted some of the rationale behind establishing Alaska as a key player in the emerging Arctic economic zone. Speaking of Alaska, she stated, “It’s not just a place of resource opportunity. It’s not just this place where we’re going to go and have at it over sea routes,” she said. “It is a place that involves people, and so let’s make sure that they are always, always part of this dialogue and this discussion.” As far as national security goes, Murkowski also sees Alaska…

Eco-Left Senators Submit Anti-ANWR Legislation

May 23, 2019

Environmental extremists across the nation were most likely rejoicing when Democratic Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by a number of his Democratic colleagues, introduced the Stop Arctic Drilling Act of 2019 last week. The legislation, which closely mirrors legislation introduced by Democratic California Congressman Jared Huffman in January, would “prevent any new or renewed leases for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in the Arctic Ocean planning area,” per a Merkley press release. While the extremists were rejoicing, Alaskans should have been grumbling. Over 70% of Alaskans consistently support drilling in ANWR, and development in…

New Technologies Improve Alaska Oil & Gas Production

May 22, 2019

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…

Anchorage’s Climate Action Plan Should Fall Behind More Important Priorities

May 15, 2019

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…

We’re All Environmentalists in Alaska

May 14, 2019

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…

Extremists Sue to Block U.S. Forestry’s Lease Sales

May 8, 2019

As Power The Future has noted, the U.S. Forest Service’s plans for the first timber lease sales in years in Southeast Alaska could bring back much-needed jobs. “Not so fast!” was the immediate response from eight environmental groups, who sued to block the project – before the details were even made public. Yes, that’s right. Before the details were even made public. Here’s what we know: the Forest Service’s plan calls for stream restorations and culvert replacements, as well as improved recreation including trail building and new public use cabins and shelters that have been asked for by locals. In other words,…