State of Alaska

Alaska deploys $272M federal award to reshape rural health care delivery

Alaska's Department of Health released recordings from its Rural Health Transformation Program sessions and announced upcoming regional planning meetings as part of a $272 million federal initiative to strengthen rural health care systems.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Alaska House passes corporate income tax bill for digital-era businesses

The Alaska House voted Wednesday to accept Senate changes to a corporate income tax bill updating how certain businesses apportion taxable income to Alaska.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read

Alaska LNG project secures financing proposals, targets 2027 construction start

Glenfarne Group CEO Brendan Duval announced Tuesday that the Alaska LNG project has received financing proposals from global banks to build the domestic pipeline, with construction targeted for early 2027 and gas delivery by late 2029, pending legislative tax approval and regulatory clearance.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Alaska AG voids contested Area M salmon regulations after ethics challenge

Alaska's acting attorney general voided five contested Area M salmon regulations after fishing groups and local governments challenged the Board of Fisheries process on ethics grounds.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read

Alaska House passes campaign contribution limits that could take effect during 2026 election

The Alaska House narrowly approved Senate changes to a campaign-finance bill restoring contribution limits to state and local candidates, with an effective date of January 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Alaska's Off-Grid Communities Face Rising Diesel Costs as Governor Promotes Solar Alternative

Governor Mike Dunleavy promotes solar power as a practical solution for Alaska's 220-plus off-grid communities, citing his own 50-panel home array as proof the technology works even during winter darkness.

by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

National Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks sign energy partnership

The National Lab of the Rockies and University of Alaska Fairbanks formalized a partnership Wednesday focused on critical minerals, energy infrastructure, and workforce development.

by Melinda Communities.News4mo ago2 min read

Alaska hydropower projects to receive millions in federal funding

Four Alaska hydropower projects are set to receive federal funding as part of a $430 million nationwide upgrade program, with new tax credits making hydropower construction 30-50% cheaper through 2033.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min read

Alaska targets 18-25 age group as substance use escalates after 25

Alaska launched a prevention campaign targeting young adults ages 18 to 25 because national data shows substance use increases after age 25, making early intervention critical.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Alaska Launches Mobile Benefits App in State With Spotty Rural Internet

Alaska launched a mobile-friendly application for public assistance programs, but the digital-first approach raises access questions in rural communities with limited broadband.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Alaska EMS agencies can now check pediatric readiness with new online tool

Alaska EMS agencies can now use a new national online assessment tool to evaluate their pediatric emergency readiness and identify gaps in equipment, training, and protocols.

by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read

Alaska districts face June 30 deadline for federal education funds

Alaska school districts must have their FY2027 federal grant applications in substantially approvable form by June 30, 2026, to receive funding by July 1, with DEED verifying required components including budgets and assurances for Title programs.

by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read

Alaska Energy Conference Highlights Gas Pipeline Progress Amid Legislative Tax Debate

The Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference showcased progress on the Alaska LNG project while the legislature debated competing tax frameworks for the pipeline. Inside: SB 280, consumer-cost concerns, the critical-minerals permitting gap, AI data centers, and rural Alaska's $6.63 gasoline.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min read

Alaska Officials Hail 'Night and Day' Shift Under Trump Energy Policies

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago5 min read

Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference explores future of statewide energy systems

The Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference dedicates its second day to exploring the transition of rural Alaska communities from diesel to hybrid energy systems, though specific implementation details remain unannounced.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Interior Secretary urges Alaska to build LNG project quickly amid Asian demand

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told an Alaska energy conference that overwhelming Asian demand for natural gas makes the Alaska LNG project strategically critical, urging the state to move quickly on the $50 billion pipeline and export terminal.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min read

Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema Identifies Alaska as Prime AI Data Center Location

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read

Alaska LNG Project Targets 2029 Gas Delivery as Developer Reports Major Contract Awards

Glenfarne's lead developer announced Alaska LNG is advancing toward final investment decision with 13 million tonnes of reservations signed and construction contracts let, positioning the project to deliver gas in 2029.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read

Federal Officials Push Permitting Reform to Unlock Alaska's Critical Minerals

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Dunleavy vetoes public pension bill, leaving override as long shot

Governor Dunleavy vetoed legislation that would have reopened a defined benefit pension option for Alaska public employees and teachers, citing fiscal and legal concerns.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read

Alaska seeks control of hazardous waste program as rural areas face shift

EPA has tentatively approved Alaska's request to take over hazardous waste management from federal control, raising questions about enforcement capacity in remote communities during the transition.

by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read

House Finance adds feral cat spay-neuter provisions to invasive species bill

The Alaska House Finance Committee voted 9-2 to amend an invasive species management bill to include provisions allowing spaying and neutering of feral and community cats without landowner permission, despite objections that the additions were unrelated to the bill's original purpose.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Senate panel advances gas pipeline tax bill after 36 hearings

The Alaska Senate Resources Committee advanced Senate Bill 280, a gas pipeline tax structure bill, after two months of hearings despite concerns about limited project information and lack of administration support.

by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read

State Signs Deal to Develop Geothermal Energy at Mount Augustine Volcano

Alaska signed an agreement with South Korean firm POSCO International to develop geothermal energy and green methanol production at Mount Augustine volcano in Cook Inlet, part of a six-project development deal.

by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read

Senate panel reviews oil tax floor increase projecting $132M annual gain

The Alaska Senate Resources Committee heard Department of Revenue analysis showing that raising the oil production tax minimum floor from 4% to 6% would generate an average of $132 million annually in additional state revenue from fiscal years 2027 through 2036, though complex interactions with tax credits could produce a negative revenue impact in some years.

by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min read

Alaska News Roundup: Gas pipeline tax fight, Point Thomson trade-off, and McNeil River access debate

This episode covers the week's major Alaska stories: a gas pipeline tax bill that added oil tax increases, the Point Thomson condensate trade-off for pipeline gas, Mount Edgecumbe enrollment crisis, and McNeil River bear sanctuary access proposals.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read

Gas pipeline bill adds oil tax increase, industry calls process rushed

The Senate Resources Committee passed a gas pipeline tax bill that includes an oil production tax floor increase from four to six percent, prompting industry criticism despite thirty-two hearings on the measure.

by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read

Gas line tax break delivers 20% savings, far less than competing states

A consultant told the Senate Resources Committee that the current gas line tax bill provides developers a 20% savings when using discounted cash flow analysis, compared to 65% if taxes were delayed 10 years — raising questions about whether Alaska is competitive with Texas and Louisiana.

by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read

Senate panel weighs municipal concerns over Alaska LNG tax structure

The Senate Resources Committee Saturday reviewed Alaska Municipal League concerns about tax abatements and revenue distribution for the Alaska LNG pipeline project, with legal counsel proposing a 10-year sunset provision to address precedent worries.

by Alaska News4mo ago3 min read

Senate cuts community impact fees for gas pipeline by half

The Alaska Senate Resources Committee voted to reduce community impact fees for the Alaska LNG pipeline from $1 million to $500,000 per mile, cutting projected payments to municipalities from approximately $740 million to $370 million.

by Alaska News4mo ago5 min read

House panel hears gas line tax bill with 15-cent volumetric fee

The House Finance Committee heard testimony Thursday on House Bill 381, which would replace traditional property taxes on the Alaska LNG pipeline with a 15-cent per thousand cubic feet volumetric tax, generating an estimated $577 million by 2033 while giving municipalities decision-making authority over gas treatment plants and LNG facilities.

by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read