Kivalina
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Numbers are stories in the last 30 days.
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State energy board to vote on nearly $5 million loan for solar at Red Dog Mine
The Alaska Energy Authority's board is scheduled to vote Nov. 5 on lending nearly $5 million in state money toward a solar array and battery at Red Dog Mine, whose power comes entirely from diesel generators, according to the board's meeting packet.
The mine uses about 24.5 megawatts. In summer, Teck Alaska told the state, its generators have to cut power to other parts of the mine to keep the mill running, and the company forecasts needing more power than it can generate.
The project, estimated at about $35 million, would put an 8.8-megawatt solar array and a battery on about 30 acres at the mine. Teck chose Tugliq Red Dog1, a subsidiary of Canadian company Tugliq Energy, to build, own and run it. Teck would buy all of its power.
The array is expected to supply up to about 2 megawatts of the mine's summer load. AEA estimates it would provide about 5% of the mine's power through 2031, when the mine's current life is expected to end, and about 3% if the mine's life is extended. If the mine closes, it would cover about 90% of the site's power needs.
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Latest
October 2026
Kivalina's power is mostly back as the school shelter count drops to three
Power is mostly back in Kivalina, and three people stayed at the school shelter Tuesday night, down from about 175. It stays open through the weekend.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Wind cuts power to much of Kivalina, and restoring it may take up to a week
High winds knocked out power to most of Kivalina Friday, and repairs may take up to a week. About 175 residents sheltered at the school overnight.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Kivalina, Wales and Eek lead off $100 million push to replace village fuel tanks
AVEC says contractors headed to Kivalina, Wales and Eek this summer to start new fuel tank farms, first of 10 villages in a $100 million grant ending July 2028.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago4 min read
A strong Bering Sea storm could bring coastal flooding to western Alaska Friday
Forecasters say a strong Bering Sea storm could bring gusts up to 60 mph and coastal flooding to much of Alaska's West Coast starting Friday.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
Supreme Court hears Boulder climate case as Alaska backs oil companies
The Supreme Court heard Boulder's climate damages case against Exxon and Suncor Monday. Alaska is one of 26 states siding with the oil companies.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
September 2026
EPA proposes $21,618 penalty over Red Dog Mine spill into Red Dog Creek
EPA proposed a $21,618 penalty against Teck Alaska Inc. for a May 2025 leak of process water into Red Dog Creek near Kotzebue after a pump failure at the mine.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
High surf advisory holds until 10 p.m. Saturday as Utqiaġvik logs record September rain
A storm brought high surf to Alaska's Arctic coast and set a September rainfall record in Utqiagvik, the wettest day there in records going back to 1920.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Red Dog's port has carried a top-tier air violation for years with no penalty
The port shipping Red Dog's ore has carried a top-tier EPA air-pollution violation for dust for nearly six years, with no formal state enforcement.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min read
More from Kivalina
Red Dog is one approval away from a new corporate owner
Teck Resources, owner of the Red Dog zinc mine near Kivalina, awaits one final regulatory approval before its merger with Anglo American closes, likely between September 2026 and March 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
August 2026
The state gave Red Dog another decade of eased water limits as the mine looks to run longer
Alaska extended Red Dog's wastewater permit 10 years, to 2036, past the mine's own expected ore life, citing thawing permafrost with no available remedy.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min read
July 2026
The water keeps coming back to Kotzebue Sound
Kotzebue Sound is getting its second high-water warning in two days — small rises on a coast where the flooding keeps getting worse.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Minor Chukchi surge hits Kivalina and Red Dog Dock
A minor Chukchi surge Sunday is small by 2022 standards, but it hits Kivalina and Red Dog Dock, where erosion and flooding are already permanent problems.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
High surf and minor flooding for Alaska's west coast through Thursday
A Bering Sea low is pushing high surf and minor flooding into Alaska's west coast through Thursday night, with water 1 to 3 feet above the normal high tide line.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
The fight to keep Red Dog alive past 2031
A routine nine-acre lease along the Red Dog haul road opens onto a much bigger question: how one of the world's richest zinc mines keeps going after its main pit runs dry around 2031.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
June 2026
Chukchi Campus is getting ADA and fire-safety upgrades after 14 years on the master plan
Chukchi Campus in Kotzebue is finally getting ADA upgrades. The needs were identified in a UAF master plan back in 2011-2012.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
About Kivalina
Kivalina (Kivaliñiq) is an Iñupiaq village on a barrier island on the Chukchi Sea coast, in the Northwest Arctic Borough. Its coast faces chronic erosion and storm flooding, which have driven a long effort to relocate the community.
Storms off the Chukchi and Bering seas bring high surf, surges and high winds that can knock out village power and send residents to the school shelter. The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative supplies its power and its fuel storage.
The Red Dog zinc mine and its port, Red Dog Dock, lie nearby. Questions about the mine's wastewater permit, dust at the port and spills into Red Dog Creek recur, along with how long the mine will operate.