Latest news with #Alaska
E&E News
2 hours ago
- Business
- E&E News
ConocoPhillips asks to drill more wells in Alaska
ConocoPhillips plans to drill exploratory wells in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to expand its drilling operations in the Arctic, if approved by the Interior Department. The exploration via four wells and seismic testing — if they lead to significant discoveries underground — could increase crude oil production out of Alaska for years. The state is already the site of ConocoPhillips' planned Willow oil project. That would align with the Trump administration's push to double down on American fossil fuel production. It could also lock in decades' worth of new carbon emissions at a time when scientists are warning of the dire consequences that will come from a failure to curb climate change. Advertisement Houston-based ConocoPhillips applied Monday for permits to drill exploration wells mostly in the eastern areas of the NPR-A, not far from the Willow project, according to a company statement. One well would be in the Greater Mooses Tooth unit, while another would be in the Bear Tooth unit; two other wells would be drilled 'to the west,' ConocoPhillips said. The seismic program would occur south of the Greater Mooses and Bear Tooth units. 'ConocoPhillips is dedicated to the safe and responsible development of our leaseholds in Alaska for the benefit of all Alaskans and our nation's energy security,' the company said in its emailed statement. 'We recognize the strategic importance of resource development in the state and are seeking authorization from the Bureau of Land Management to conduct exploration activities in the NPR-A during the winter season of 2025-2026. 'ConocoPhillips looks forward to continuing our more than 50-year track record of responsibly exploring for and developing Alaska's resources in the years ahead,' ConocoPhillips added. Interior's Bureau of Land Management, which manages underground resources on federal lands, declined to comment. The application for exploratory wells was reported earlier by Bloomberg. For environmentalists, drilling in the largest tract of U.S. public land is both a danger to species like polar bears, arctic foxes and migrating birds as well as a failure to phase out oil operations. Green groups have long opposed the contentious Willow oil project, which is under construction and scheduled to begin producing oil in 2029. 'The proposed oil exploration around the Willow mega-project is reckless in the face of the climate crisis and ongoing concerns from the community of Nuiqsut,' Matt Jackson, Alaska senior manager at The Wilderness Society, said in a statement. Drilling activity on Alaska's North Slope has long been a source of tension. In 2023, former President Joe Biden approved ConocoPhillips' Willow oil project, which could involve about 200 wells that may be active for decades. But Biden also restricted or banned drilling in about half the NPR-A. The Trump administration has since moved to remove those protections, sometimes called the 2024 Western Arctic rule, and open up 82 percent of the NPR-A for oil and gas leasing. 'Proposed developments like this are exactly why the 2024 Western Arctic Rule should stand, to ensure ongoing protections for Arctic communities, subsistence species and the climate in the face of relentless industrial pressure,' Jackson said Tuesday.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man who killed Anchorage apartment building manager sentenced to 77 years in prison
Jul. 15—An Anchorage man convicted of killing an apartment building manager in 2023 has been sentenced to 77 years in prison. Jesse Lee Jones, now 28, was convicted at trial in February on first degree murder charges, as well as assault and tampering with evidence in the death of Josiah Goecker, who was the leasing manager at the Midtown Anchorage apartment complex where Jones had been living. Goecker, a 34-year-old Eagle River father who returned to Alaska in 2017 after growing up in a military family with nine siblings, was mourned as a hero for protecting his coworker during the incident. Goecker's brother, Jared Goeker, was elected to the Anchorage Assembly representing Chugiak, Eagle River and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in April. Jared Goecker did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Josiah Goecker was killed on Oct. 23, 2023 when Jones walked to the leasing office of the complex and confronted Goecker, the leasing manager, with a handgun, shooting him "at least seven times" in front of his coworker, according to court documents from the case. He was arrested several days later at the end of a methamphetamine binge, court filings contend. Jones was upset, prosecutors said, after a notice that the lease for the apartment he was living in wouldn't be renewed, court filings said. Jones shot Goecker "for no reason other than his own misplaced anger and complete inability to control his emotions," prosecutor Brittany Dunlop wrote in a pre-sentencing court filing. Jones' defense attorney argued in presentencing filings that his client was desperate on the day he committed the crime: "Not to say his situation or plight was not due to his own doing, but Jones was unemployed, had no other plans for shelter for the winter, and he was having a child too with his fiancée." He didn't have the "tools, knowledge or experience to cope with highly stressful situations" such as facing the loss of housing. He could still have a shot at becoming a "productive citizen" with the right treatment and direction, his lawyer Chong Yim wrote. Jones admitted guilt when apprehended, Yim wrote. "He knew he had ruined the lives of two families and that he could be facing the rest of his life in jail but still wanted to take responsibility," he wrote. At the Friday sentencing before Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson, nine of Goecker's family members testified about their loss, describing Josiah Goecker as a "kind and compassionate husband, father, son, brother, and community member," according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Law.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Experts on high alert as multiple volcanoes in 'Pacific Ring of Fire' suddenly come to life
Several volcanoes in the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' have shown increased activity recently, prompting close monitoring by experts for potential eruptions. Also called the Circum-Pacific Belt, it is a 25,000-mile chain of volcanoes and earthquake zones from South America to Alaska, across Japan, and down to New Zealand. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has found four volcanoes, all in the US, which are rumbling, including the Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska that has been steadil y erupting lava into its summit crater for nearly four years. Recent satellite imagery confirms the eruption remains slow and non-explosive, with lava continuing to flow southwest. In Hawaii, Kilauea has paused its lava fountains but continues to build pressure. Scientists anticipate a new eruptive phase between July 17 and 20. Although lava fountains have ceased, sulfur dioxide emissions remain elevated, measured between 1,200 and 1,500 tons per day, indicating ongoing volcanic activity. Mount Rainier in Washington experienced its largest recorded earthquake swarm in early July, with 334 quakes detected over two days starting July 8, raising vigilance among volcanologists. Offshore Oregon, the underwater Axial Seamount is under close observation, with researchers forecasting an eruption possibly occurring in 2025. According to the scientists, these volcanoes are unpredictable as they are a result of natural movement in the Earth's crust, especially along the Pacific Ring of Fire. That is because this area is where the Pacific tectonic plate sinks under neighboring plates, creating quakes and eruptions. Even with the flurry of quakes and lava, none of these volcanoes currently threaten the nearby communities. Each of the rumbling volcanoes has its own history and behavior pattern. The Great Sitkin Volcano, located in Alaska's Aleutian Islands, began erupting in 2021 after decades of inactivity. In April, USGS volcanologist reported that lava has slowly filled the crater over the years, building a thick dome, but it has not triggered ash clouds or air travel disruptions, a key concern for aviation in the region. Lava is still pushing out of the summit crater at Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska. It is not explosive, but steady. Small quakes continue, and there is no sign the eruption is ending anytime soon. Mount Spurr, roughly 80 miles west of Anchorage, had its last explosive eruption in 1992, sending ash clouds 40,000 feet into the sky. The recent shallow earthquake swarms echo early warning signs from that event, though experts say there is no magma movement yet. Nearby, Mount Spurr has had shallow earthquake swarms since February. As of now, it is quiet, no gas, no lava, and no expected eruption, but USGS has kept it under an advisory level. However, Kilauea, on Hawaii's Big Island, is being monitored around the clock because of its proximity to residential areas. In 2018, lava flows from the volcano destroyed over 700 homes in the Leilani Estates subdivision. Scientists are now tracking surface deformation, quake movement, and gas emissions to anticipate another potential hazard phase. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world but is not part of the Ring of Fire. It sits above a hot spot in the Earth's mantle, a fixed plume of heat and magma that stays in place while the Pacific Plate moves slowly over it. Seismologists are now concerned that Kilauea is swelling again and showing more quakes, signs it could erupt soon. A vent on the undersea volcano Axial Seamount. Scientists expect an eruption next year, but it will likely go unnoticed by anyone except the seafloor monitoring teams The activity could mark the start of what is known as Episode 29, the latest phase in the volcano's ongoing eruption cycle that began in 1983. The volcano, containing gas, ash, and threads, poses a threat to humans due to its confined nature and potential for eruptions. Mount Rainier, despite not erupting in centuries, remains one of the most hazardous volcanoes in North America because of its massive glacial coverage. A 2023 USGS risk assessment found that even small eruptions or earthquakes could trigger deadly mudflows, known as lahars, capable of reaching communities like Orting and Puyallup within minutes. Earlier this month, the volcano experienced its largest earthquake swarm since 2009, with hundreds of small tremors rattling the area. According to USGS, each quake was under magnitude 1.7 and originated just a few miles beneath the summit, deep enough to raise concern among scientists. While the volcano's alert level remains at 'normal' and no ground deformation has been detected, this swarm adds to approximately thousands, of quakes recorded at Rainier since 2020. Although an eruption is not expected in the immediate future, experts still rank Mount Rainier among the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest due to its potential to unleash lahars, ash fall, and pyroclastic flows. Scientists emphasize that it is not lava that poses the greatest threat, but the lahars. These violent mudflows can form during an eruption or even without one, triggered by intense rainfall, melting snow, or weakened slopes. Off Oregon's coast, Axial Seamount continues to slowly inflate. Scientists expect an eruption next year, but it will likely go unnoticed by anyone except the seafloor monitoring teams. Volcano experts say there is no cause for panic. The activity fits into long-term patterns in the Ring of Fire and Hawaii's hot spot as the scientists are watching them closely.
Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Alaska Communications Accelerates Network Investment With Plans for 100,000 Locations Served With Improved Broadband Service
As part of its ongoing network expansion, Alaska Communications is launching improved broadband service to approximately 100,000 businesses and homes across Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Powered by fiber-fed, next-generation fixed wireless technology, Alaska Communications is expanding broadband access rapidly to meet the needs of businesses and families. With speeds up to 300Mbps download and 100Mbps upload, Alaskans can get the connectivity they need to efficiently run their business, work or learn from home, attend telehealth appointments, stream their favorite programs, connect smart home devices, play online games and more. 'We hear from residents across the state that they want reliable, unlimited internet service. If it matters to Alaskans, it matters to us,' said Paul Fenaroli, President and CEO, Alaska Communications. 'With fixed wireless internet access backed by our state-of-the-art fiber network, we're able to give Alaskans a reliable option for connecting their businesses and homes at affordable rates with local support.' Alaska Communications' new service includes: The speed you need: Up to 300Mbps download and 100Mbps upload. Unlimited data: Like all Alaska Communications services, there are no data caps, throttling or overage fees. Reliability: Advances in technology no longer require a line of sight for a strong signal. Affordable: Competitive pricing at a flat, monthly rate. No extra costs: Free installation and equipment with term agreement. Local support: Installed and supported by Alaskans. Small business solutions: Bundle with our other small business services, which include Microsoft 365, helpdesk support and more. 'For businesses, it opens the door to enhanced productivity, better customer service, improved security and the ability to compete in our digital-first economy,' said Fenaroli. 'For families, this means smoother streaming, faster downloads and more reliable connections for remote work, online learning and everyday use.' North Anchorage available now, midtown and south Anchorage coming soon This high-speed service is available for businesses and residents in the following Anchorage neighborhoods: downtown, Government Hill, Mountain View and Airport Heights. The Anchorage hillside, south Anchorage and midtown Anchorage will be available later this summer. By the end of 2025, 50,000 locations in Anchorage alone will be eligible. 'The Anchorage market is seeing demand for high-speed alternatives to cable internet,' said Fenaroli. 'Competition is good for Alaska and we're excited to build on our more than 120-year history to support Alaskans in new ways.' Other service locations coming soon Alaska Communications plans to improve or expand its fiber-fed fixed wireless network in Fairbanks, Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula starting later this year. How to get connected Business: For business service, fill out a service request form on the Alaska Communications' website. About Alaska Communications Alaska Communications, an affiliate of ATN International, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNI), is a leading provider of mission and life-critical communications infrastructure in Alaska. The company operates a robust and advanced statewide fiber network and a highly diverse undersea fiber optic system that connects Alaska to the contiguous U.S. For additional information, visit
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Forbes
Alaska, Florida, Delaware Are Top 3 States For Fishing, New Study Says
A fisherman kneels with a 24-pound inconnu caught at the Pah River in 1986 in Alaska, which, according to new research, is the best state to go fishing. (Photo by International Game Fish Association via Getty Images) Getty Images Alaska is the best state to go fishing, followed by Florida and Delaware, according to new research by a fishing industry company. Alaska has the longest coastline of any state — nearly 33,900 miles — and more than 94,000 square miles of freshwater, says FishingBooker, which conects fishers to guides and charter boat trips. FishingBooker ranked the quality of fishing in 50 states based on 17 criteria, including water access, number of marinas, number of bait and tackle shops, affordability, fisher reviews and charter availability. Nearly 60% of Alaskans hold a fishing license, 'which speaks volumes about the amazing fishing locals and visitors enjoy,' FishingBooker says. The state is 'a salmon mecca where you can chase all five species of Pacific salmon, along with barndoor halibut and some of the biggest rockfish you'll find anywhere.' A swordfish is brought aboard near Islamorada, Florida, a state that's No. 2 in the country for fishing, new research says. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) Getty Images Florida ranks No. 2 'and is synonymous with supreme saltwater fishing,' FishingBooker says. 'The Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico hug over 8,400 miles of coastline, with more game fish in these crystal clear waters than we can count.' Ranking No. 3, Delaware 'has equally good freshwater and saltwater action,' says FishingBooker, which calls itself the world's largest online travel fishing company. 'Whether you cast your line in one of the numerous inland watersheds, the productive Delaware Bay or the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, you won't be disappointed. Bass, crappie and muskellunge are the most common freshwater catches. In the saltwater realm, striped bass, flounder, black seabass, sharks and bluefin tuna are on the menu.' Michigan ranks No. 4 for fishing, and Wisconsin and Minnesota tie for No. 5. Michigan provides access to four of the five Great Lakes, 'which makes it the nation's epicenter of freshwater fishing,' FishingBooker says. More than 40% of the state 'is covered in water, spanning more than 40,000 square miles.' Some of Michigan's most popular catches are walleye, trout, salmon, bass, northern pike and muskellunge. Wisconsin has Lake Superior to its north, Lake Mic higan to the east and thousands of lakes and streams. Catches include coho salmon, rainbow w alleye, pike, bass and perch, and, in winter, there's ice fishing for crappie, lake trout and yellow perch. Minnesota, known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is one of the world's best places for muskellunge, walleye and northern pike and one of the best ice fishing destinations, FishingBooker says. This is the third year FishingBooker has researched the quality of fishing in all 50 states. The company noted that New Jersey dropped from No. 21 in 2024 to No. 28 this year. 'There's no question that New Jersey offers some phenomenal angling, especially along the Atlantic Coast,' says Vukan Simic, the CEO of FishingBooker. 'But with lower scores in affordability and fishing infrastructure, the data shows that the state isn't competing as well as it used to. FishingBooker's research points out that 15 of the 25 states with the lowest rankings are landlocked. That compares with six landlocked states among the 25 states with the highest rankings.
