Economy & Business

Four nuclear startups race to bring microreactors to Alaska by 2029

Four nuclear firms racing to deploy microreactors in Alaska by 2029, starting 2027. • Radiant, Antares, Applied Atomics, NuCube targeting military bases and remote industrial sites. • Alaska cleared regulatory path in 2024. Air Force already signed contracts. • No US private microreactor yet operating or backed by commercial power deals.

by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min readAI

Stack Energy Plans Multi-Gigawatt Data Center Near Prudhoe Bay

Stack Energy plans $20 billion data center south of Prudhoe Bay with 10,000 construction jobs starting 2026. • Off-grid facility uses local natural gas, targets operations by late 2028. • Waste heat could power large-scale Alaska greenhouses. • Company pays state taxes and partners with Alaska Native groups on workforce training.

by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago3 min readAI

Federal job cuts from 2025 continue to drag on Alaska employment

Alaska added only 100 jobs in April 2025 as federal cuts eliminated 1,900 positions. • Government losses across federal, state, and local levels totaled 2,700 jobs. • Private sector gains of 2,800 jobs barely offset government declines. • Alaska's unemployment rate held at 4.7 percent, above the national 4.3 percent.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min readAI

Roundup: Alaska energy conference closes with pipeline financing, record lease sale, and economic freedom debate

Glenfarne secured financing for Alaska LNG pipeline, targeting 2027 construction and 2029 delivery to Cook Inlet, pending tax legislation. • National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska lease sale drew $163 million in bids for 1.3 million acres, though one block faces court challenge. • Dunleavy and economist Wade argued regulatory streamlining and energy access drive economic growth.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min readAI

Alaska gas line faces economic challenge even with tax breaks

Alaska LNG needs $8.48 to $9.07 per thousand cubic feet to break even, but global prices are $8 to $9. • Governor's tax plan cuts state revenue from $29.7 billion to $22.5 billion over the project's life. • Capital cost overruns and producer gas prices pose bigger risks than tax relief can fix. • State could invest $4.4 billion for a 25 percent equity stake.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI

House Resources gas line bill would cost municipalities $13B under governor's plan

Governor's plan cuts municipal revenue by $13 billion, House Resources version cuts only $2 billion • Governor replaces property tax with volumetric tax statewide, House Resources keeps property tax on facilities • Both versions reduce state revenue, project remains economically challenged at current market prices

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska energy conference closes with call to protect economic freedom

Dunleavy and business author Wade say Alaska must cut regulations to compete for investment and jobs. • Wade argued over-regulation keeps poor nations poor, citing special economic zones as a model. • Dunleavy said a major energy project awaits legislature approval and could create thousands of jobs. • Wade told energy industry reliable, affordable power is essential to human flourishing.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska LNG Project Shifts Focus to In-State Gas, Delays Export Phase

Alaska LNG delays exports, focuses first on supplying in-state gas from North Slope to Cook Inlet. • Lawmakers debate tying tax breaks to a required gas line serving Fairbanks. • Company warns narrow financial window and limited pipeline capacity pose challenges. • Governor says tax breaks are needed to compete with cheaper energy projects elsewhere.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI

Governor Dunleavy touts gas pipeline, credits Trump for reversing federal limits

Governor Dunleavy said the Alaska gas pipeline project has momentum now that the Trump administration has reversed federal restrictions, and he called on Congress to streamline permitting and limit legal challenges to projects.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska House approves three day recess for Memorial Day weekend during gas line special session

Alaska House votes to recess two weeks during special session on gas line taxation, allowing members to leave for Memorial Day weekend. • Opponents warn the break could delay the gas line bill, which they call the state's most urgent issue. • House also approves carrying over two companion bills on natural gas pipeline property taxes into the special session.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

House suspends rules to carry gas pipeline bills into special session

Alaska House voted 28-10 to let two natural gas tax bills continue into special session alongside the governor's competing bill, overriding objections that lawmakers should focus only on the governor's proposal.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska Senate opens special session on natural gas tax overhaul

Alaska Senate opened special session to overhaul natural gas taxes through Senate Bill 2001. • New volumetric tax on gas throughput and revised municipal property tax calculations for schools. • Governor Dunleavy called session under May 19 proclamation limited to natural gas tax bills. • Senate coordinating with House and three state departments to avoid costly errors.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Dunleavy vetoes transit plan, calls special session on gas pipeline tax

Governor Dunleavy vetoed a statewide transit bill and called a special legislative session to address natural gas pipeline taxation, with Senate Finance Committee hearings beginning Wednesday at 9 a.m.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

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

Alaska House approved a bill updating corporate income tax rules for digital businesses, passing 28-11. The measure lets Alaska collect revenue from out-of-state companies that operate without physical locations in the state.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read

Alaska LNG project secures financing proposals, targets 2027 construction start

Alaska LNG secured private financing to build 800-mile pipeline from North Slope to Cook Inlet, targeting 2027 construction start and 2029 gas delivery. • Needs tax stabilization law and utility regulator approval to proceed. • Export facility would sell 20 million tonnes of LNG yearly, mostly to Asia. • Project addresses Cook Inlet gas shortage and aims to lower Alaska energy costs.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Senate Republicans link Cook Inlet gas decline to rural power costs

Senate Republicans warn Cook Inlet gas decline will raise rural power costs through state subsidy program. • Caucus calls energy shortage an existential crisis and pushes Legislature to build gasline instead of importing liquefied gas. • Three priorities set for special session: cut energy costs, create jobs from pipeline, manage resources for public benefit.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Begich cites $163M Alaska oil lease sale as proof federal certainty drives investment

Rep. Nick Begich cited a record $163 million Alaska oil lease sale as evidence that federal policy certainty drives energy investment, and called for faster permitting to unlock Alaska's oil, gas, and geothermal resources for national security.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Aspect Holdings addresses $100B Alaska projection, contested Teshekpuk lease

Aspect Holdings won eight Alaska lease blocks projecting $100 billion in state revenue. • One contested block near Teshekpuk Lake faces a lawsuit from a Native organization. • Seven uncontested blocks expected to be finalized soon. • Company estimates 20 billion barrels of recoverable oil remain on North Slope.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska House passes Native corporation reinstatement bill after Senate changes

Alaska House voted 36-3 to accept Senate changes to HB 126, allowing involuntarily dissolved Native corporations to reinstate as the same legal entity rather than transfer assets to a new corporation.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min readAI

Alaska House passes bill creating Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission

Alaska House voted 38-0 Wednesday to pass HB 278, creating a nine-member Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission to support economic and cultural ties between the two regions.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min readAI

National Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks sign energy partnership

National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Alaska Fairbanks expanded their partnership Wednesday to focus on critical minerals, energy infrastructure, and workforce development for Alaska's energy sector.

by Melinda Communities.News4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska hydropower projects to receive millions in federal funding

Four Alaska hydropower projects will share millions in federal funding for upgrades, with tax credits covering 30 to 50 percent of new construction costs through 2033.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min readAI

Alaska Energy Conference Highlights Gas Pipeline Progress Amid Legislative Tax Debate

Alaska LNG pipeline signed contracts, targets 2029 delivery, but governor and legislature split on tax framework. • Southcentral consumers could pay $22.96 per thousand cubic feet if exports fail, double current rates. • Federal officials highlighted critical minerals and $1 billion in funding, but permitting takes 15 to 18 years. • Rural Alaska pays $6.63 per gallon with no pipeline relief in sight.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min readAI

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

Governor Dunleavy and Senator Sullivan said Trump reversed Biden restrictions on Alaska resource projects. • Willow and Pitcairn oil fields are now producing, generating 80,000 barrels per day. • State legislature must act on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes proposal for the natural gas pipeline. • Federal government created a Western Alaska energy task force for rural diesel supply issues.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago5 min readAI

Alaska Senate panel hears gas line bill with $900M annual tax break

Alaska Senate reviewed gas pipeline bill cutting annual taxes from $1 billion to $74 million. • Developer could earn $5 billion yearly while consumers face gas prices more than double current rates. • Bill includes $50 million construction fund and requires Fairbanks spur line. • Senators questioned if impact funds adequately address community needs.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI

Dunleavy to Call Special Session on Gas Line Property Tax Within Hour of Adjournment

Dunleavy calls special session within one hour of adjournment to cut property taxes on Alaska's gas pipeline project. • Current law imposes roughly one billion dollars in annual taxes, making the project uncompetitive. • Federal support depends on Alaska restructuring its tax system to make the project viable. • Municipalities must accept lower taxes to help finance the project.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference explores future of statewide energy systems

Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference opened May 19 in Anchorage with nearly 1,000 energy leaders from 35 states and 10 countries. • Alaska signed a memorandum with National Laboratory of the Rockies on mineral supply and remote energy reliability. • Alaska and Yukon renewed an accord creating working groups on Arctic dialogue and transportation.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

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 readAI

Alaska LNG Pipeline Gains Momentum with Federal Support, Asian Demand

Alaska's decades-discussed natural gas pipeline project is closer to reality than ever, with strong federal backing and 18 Asian countries expressing interest in purchasing Alaska LNG, potentially transforming the state's economy.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska Positioned as Prime Location for AI Data Center Growth

by Melinda Communities.News4mo ago2 min readAI

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

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI

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 readAI

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

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska's environmental chief calls EPA partnership under Trump the best of his career

Alaska's environmental chief says the Trump administration EPA is the most collaborative federal partner he has seen in 25 years, citing streamlined permitting and respect for state expertise over federal review.

by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min readAI

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 readAI

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 readAI

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 readAI