When they don’t win, they simply try to change the rules. The final proposal for the 35-year reauthorization on the Eklutna Hydro fish and wildlife agreement isn’t due for another 60 days, but that’s not stopping the Anchorage Assembly’s leadership from threatening a lawsuit on a plan they’ve not even seen. If that sounds far-fetched, think again.  The left-dominated Assembly wants nothing to do with the actual terms of the 1991 Fish and Wildlife agreement, under which Eklutna’s owners are mandated to ‘mitigate and enhance’ the project’s impacts on the river ecosystem.  Joined by other eco-left groups, want destroy the…

In a brazen move, eco-activists at one of Alaska’s most aggressive ‘renewables-above-everything’ organizations are demanding your private utility data. Couched under the guise of building a sustainable energy rate case, and in conjunction with Earthjustice, the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) has asked the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) for proprietary, per-user patterns and overall demand. Nat Herz with Northern Journal first broke the story, which has been met with objection by Chugach Electric and other utilities, who argue the customer data is privileged information. “Why should REAP be able to require Chugach to spend thousands of dollars and more…

Governor Mike Dunleavy’s sixth State of the State speech before the Alaska Legislature this week was delayed a day because of the inability for many to attend due to flights being unable to get into Juneau. However, Tuesday night it happened. It was a solid review of the past year of his administration’s accomplishments, along with a look ahead to his 2024 legislative agenda. When it came to the portion of his speech regarding the development of Alaska’s vast resource base for development, Governor Dunleavy was direct, firm and unwavering, noting: “Time after time, throughout our history, we’ve had to…

When it comes to eco-activism, there tends to be a whole lot of talk and scurrying around, with little actual productivity coming from all their activity. But, every once in a while, the style-over-substance crowd takes it one step too far, as is the case with a recent posting from Alaska’s leading extremist organization, the Alaska Center. In their “Hot Takes from a Cold Place” blog, the Center took issue with how the owners of the Eklutna Hydro project chose to roll out their draft of their reauthorization of the project’s fish and wildlife agreement, originally authorized in 1991.  Julian…

The Eklutna Dam currently provides the least expensive energy to Southcentral Alaska’s residents and businesses, but that might be a thing of the past if activists get their way this year. A group of environmental organizations, collaborating with the Native Village of Eklutna, have called for the removal of the dam, to potentially revitalize a salmon run that the collective believes has been harmed by the dam’s presence. Currently, 6% of the overall power generated by Chugach and Matanuska Electric comes from the Eklutna hydroelectric project.  Along with that generation, nearly 90% of Anchorage’s drinking water also comes from the…

We write about the Willow oil development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) frequently.  This opportunity on Alaska’s North Slope is near-unanimously supported by Alaskans across the state and political spectrum.  Alaska’s Legislature unanimously passed a resolution in support of the project.  Labor unions, Native Alaska organizations, Alaska’s entire Congressional delegation, the Governor and everyday Alaskans know the benefits Willow will bring: 180,000 barrels a day, 2500 jobs, $8 billion in construction spending and billions in revenues to local, state and federal governments. The eco-extremist organizations continuing to fight Willow, including a ghost group calling themselves “Sovereign Inupiat for a…

As first reported by Suzanne Downing in Must Read Alaska, the Alaska Democratic Party is saying the quiet part out loud in their fight against traditional energy, and considering making their platform fossil fuel-free. Changes to both Republican and Democratic state platforms are considered and ratified at biannual conventions of party activists, but proposed changes are tossed around throughout the time in-between.  Over the past few weeks, the Democrats’ Climate Caucus, a standing committee comprised of eco warriors on their State Central Committee, have been editing their party platform. The changes are shocking. The picture above is a screenshot of…

Alaska’s Willow oil and gas development has exceptional support throughout the state.  Labor unions, development organizations, state government leaders and the state’s Congressional delegation have all voiced their approval for the project, as have the Inupiat people nearest to the jobsite. After a lengthy pause by the Biden Administration – under the guise of double-checking the previous environmental impact statement process for irregularities – Team Biden approved the project, setting off a firestorm of indignant howls of protest from the radical environmental fringe that had been fighting Willow for years. Late last week, for the second time in just over…

Alaskans testified yesterday in the U.S. House’s Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, supporting Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN)’s “Alaska’s Right to Produce Act”.  And they didn’t hold back in their support of the legislation, nor their disdain with how the Biden Administration has chosen to attack Alaska’s lands, people and culture. That bipartisan piece of legislation – with Alaska’s Democratic Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola the main co-sponsor – would reverse many of the Biden Administration’s unprecedented actions against responsible development in the state. Testifying during the hearing were Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources Commissioner, John Boyle, the Iñupiat Community of…