Energy
RSSOil, gas, renewables, and energy policy
ONRR proposes new royalty valuation rules affecting Alaska federal leases
Federal royalty rules for oil, gas, and coal leases could cut payments to Alaska, tribes, and individual Native mineral owners if the Interior Department's proposal takes effect.
by Maggie AlaskaNews16h ago2 min readAI
The Air Force wants to put AI data centers on Alaska military land — and the three sites tell three very different stories
Three Alaska military bases are auditioning to host the AI boom — JBER can't power it, Eielson is leaking PFAS at it, and Clear has 4,769 acres, a DDT drum dump, and all the groundwater you can drink.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago3 min readAIAlaska
Alaska's gas-line bill clears the Senate — and the governor immediately moves to undo it
Special session concludes without passage of a gasline bill, and now the question is if this is an end to negotiations or if they'll continue tomorrow. The Governor thinks they're close.
by Cale Green1w ago3 min readAIAlaska
Murkowski and Sullivan split on a motion to discharge an Iran War Powers Resolution
Iran War Powers Resolution: Murkowski yes, Sullivan no. The 2020 version went the same way. Pattern noted.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAIAlaska
DNR opens comment on Hatcher Pass hydroelectric lease through July 29
DNR is leaning toward approving a 30-year hydroelectric project on Fishhook Creek in Hatcher Pass. You must submit written comments by July 29 to appeal the decision later.
by Bill AlaskaNews1d ago1 min readAIHatcher Pass, Alaska
Matanuska Electric offers free EV chargers to local businesses, but hosts pay install costs
MEA is giving away EV chargers to Mat-Su hosts — but only the box is free; the host pays to install it, and the co-op pockets three years of charging data.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAIEagle River, Alaska
ENSTAR says it locked in a price for Alaska LNG
ENSTAR locked in $16 per thousand cubic feet for North Slope pipeline gas, undercutting LNG imports at $20 to $23 but raising costs 48% above current Cook Inlet supply before adding $4.50 to $6 in distribution and storage charges.
by Bill AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readAIAnchorage1
Tidal energy permit application opens in Isanotski Strait near False Pass
Tidal energy permit in Isanotski Strait. Small ask. Alaska has the biggest U.S. tidal resource, and Cook Inlet gas is running down.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAIIsanotski Strait, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska
A pass-through tax, not the pipeline, is the real fight in Juneau
A conference committee spent two days on Alaska's $44B gas line, and the sharpest fight was over a pass-through tax on Hilcorp that doesn't need the pipeline to exist.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3d ago3 min readAIAlaska
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAlaska
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAIAlaska
DNR offers 50-year North Slope lease for gas-powered data center
Alaska DNR offered a 50-year lease to STAK Energy for a massive data center on the North Slope that would use natural gas to power 1 to 3 gigawatts of computing, with public comments due June 15.
by Alaska News3w ago2 min readAINorth Slope
M4.2 earthquake shakes area west of Hope
Shake shake shake
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago1 min readAIHope, Alaska
Alaska Positioned as Prime Location for AI Data Center Growth
by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage, AK
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAIJuneau
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min readAIAnchorage1
Trump invokes Defense Production Act; makes way for new Alaska coal plant
Trump invoked the Defense Production Act and is trying to push $89m to help build a coal plant in Alaska
by Cale Green3w ago3 min readAIWashington, DC
GVEA seats new District 2 director, adopts nine bylaw changes
Philip Wight won a Golden Valley Electric Association board seat with 76% of the vote, and members approved nine bylaw changes, both taking effect at the June 23 board meeting.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAI
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 News1mo ago2 min readAIAlaska
Federal regulators renew HEX authorization for Cook Inlet marine-mammal harassment
Federal regulators renewed HEX Operating's permit to incidentally harass marine mammals during natural gas work in Cook Inlet through September 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAICook Inlet, Alaska
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 1mo ago3 min readAIAlaska
Anchorage Assembly votes Tuesday on an $859K Eklutna River study
The Anchorage Assembly's $859K Eklutna study isn't a small procurement — it's part of a decades-long fight over fish, hydropower, and tribal claims.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAIAnchorage, Alaska
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage
Dunleavy says Alaska gas pipeline depends on property tax overhaul
Governor Mike Dunleavy urged the legislature to pass a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes bill within three weeks, calling it essential to financing what he described as the largest project in Alaska history, an LNG pipeline from the North Slope.
by Alaska News1mo ago5 min readAIJuneau, Alaska
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.News1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAIAlaska
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min readAIAlaska
Anchorage's mayor told Senate Finance LNG could cost "tens of millions of dollars"
Anchorage's mayor told Senate Finance LNG would cost "tens of millions" — a number that lands somewhere between $23M and $173M. Her plan targets $23M.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAIAnchorage, AK, USA
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage, Alaska
Four Railbelt utilities file shared-solar tariffs in two days
All four major Railbelt utilities filed tariffs for shared-solar programs on June 2 and 3, letting Alaskans buy shares in renewable facilities without installing rooftop panels and receive credits on their monthly electric bills.
by Alaska News3w ago2 min readAIAlaska
Fish and Wildlife Service seeks $5M to cut energy permit times in half
Fish and Wildlife Service is asking Congress for $5.1 million to cut endangered species review times from 30 to 14 days, a change that could speed up Alaska energy and mineral projects that have faced years of federal delays.
by Alaska News2w ago2 min readAIAlaska
Alaska House examines $4 billion LNG equity option, Fairbanks spur-line tax break
Alaska House Finance Committee examined a plan letting the state buy 5 to 25 percent equity stakes in Alaska LNG for up to $4 billion total, while conditioning a tax break for the pipeline on building a 30-mile spur line to Fairbanks.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAIAnchorage, AK
Chugach is pursuing four hydroelectric projects to hedge against Cook Inlet gas decline
Chugach's gas-to-renewables shift has its first concrete entries: four hydro projects on four Southcentral creeks, 52 MW total.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 1w ago2 min readAISouthcentral Alaska
Chugach Electric wins easement for power line at Community Park Loop
Chugach Electric won an easement from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to realign a power line at Community Park Loop in Anchorage.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min readAIAnchorage, AK
Murkowski: War-price fuel barges lock rural Alaska into costly winter
Rural Alaska villages are paying $9 to $14 a gallon for fuel locked in at peak war prices and cannot wait for global prices to fall, Senator Murkowski warned
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2w ago2 min readAIAlaska
RTO tariff subcommittee meets Thursday on transmission costs
The Railbelt Transmission Organization's Tariff Subcommittee meets Thursday to draft rules for how backbone transmission costs get divided among utilities. The tariff will affect electric rates from Fairbanks to Homer.
by Alaska News3w ago2 min readAIAnchorage
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 AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAnchorage, Alaska
