Latest news with #BillWalker
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alaska utility execs to lawmakers: Let's revive Susitna hydroelectric megaproject
A rendering of the proposed Susitna hydroelectric development. (Alaska Energy Authority image) With urban Alaska facing a shortfall in the natural gas long used to generate the vast majority of its power, renewable energy advocates have been pressuring the region's utilities to advance large-scale wind and solar development to meet future power demands. But no such projects have been built in the past few years, even with generous tax credits available from the federal government. And now, the utilities are pitching the idea of cutting their dependence on gas by resurrecting a dormant but divisive megaproject: a huge hydroelectric dam along the Susitna River estimated, a decade ago, to cost $5.6 billion. The pitch, sent to three key budget-writing members of the state House, came earlier in May in a formal letter from the heads of Anchorage-based Chugach Electric Association, Kenai Peninsula-based Homer Electric Association, Fairbanks-based Golden Valley Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association and Seward's municipally run electric utility. [Read the letter] 'In an era when Alaska is facing production declines and difficulty securing natural gas, pursuing energy projects with proven technology, like hydro, provides the utilities with additional generation options while preserving existing natural gas resources,' the executives wrote. They added: 'We need multiple options to solve the biggest issue impacting Alaska utilities today: fuel availability.' The Susitna hydroelectric project has been contemplated, off and on, for decades, before development was suspended by former Gov. Bill Walker in 2016 amid a state budget crisis. The project could generate 50% of urban Alaska's electricity demand, according to the state agency that's led the study process, the Alaska Energy Authority. The letter from the utility executives asks the three co-chairs of the House Finance Committee to revive the state's partially completed efforts to secure a federal license for the project. Officials estimate that finishing the licensing process could cost as much as $100 million, on top of some $200 million that's already been spent. Lawmakers are nearing the end of their annual budget writing process, and amid declining state revenue, they haven't added any cash for the hydro project yet. They're also still considering legislation to require the utilities to generate higher amounts of power from renewable sources by target dates. Reached between meetings Wednesday, Anchorage Rep. Calvin Schrage, one of the letter's recipients, declined to comment. The utilities' request to revive the Susitna project is exasperating advocates for other forms of renewable energy, who say that hydroelectric development is economically and politically unrealistic given its huge cost and potential impacts to the river's yearly runs of hundreds of thousands of salmon. 'It feels like an unfortunate distraction from the urgent work that we need to be doing to secure affordable energy,' said Alex Petkanas, climate and clean energy program manager at the Alaska Center, a conservation group. 'We have the studies and the information we need about wind power in Alaska, wind availability in Alaska, and wind reliability. So, to see them spending time on a controversial project rather than pursuing solutions like wind energy that are within our reach feels like a mistake.' Hydroelectric projects like the Susitna development appeal to utility executives because they provide what's known as 'dispatchable' power — electricity that's available whenever it's needed. The utilities have expressed more skepticism about wind and solar developments because of their variability, though a recent study commissioned by the utilities found that urban Alaska's grid could boost its use of wind power seven-fold without jeopardizing reliability. The next step for the hydroelectric project wouldn't require the full amount of cash to secure the federal license, said Curtis Thayer, the energy authority's executive director. Instead, he said, lawmakers would have to budget 'a few million dollars' to better understand how much work is needed before the license could be issued. 'We need to spend a little bit of money to refresh all those numbers to really decide if this is a viable project to move forward,' Thayer said. He asserted that the billions of dollars that would be required for construction is 'not an issue,' because private investment firms would finance the project in exchange for guaranteed returns. For developments that have received federal licenses, 'there are people that are standing in line to invest,' Thayer said. The Susitna proposal faces intense opposition from conservationists and some residents along the river, who say that the development would harm salmon by dramatically reducing water flow in the summer, when power demand is lower, and artificially boosting it during the winter, when demand is high. The Susitna River Coalition, a nonprofit that's led efforts to block the dam, says its construction would cause the 'eradication' of the river's 'unique ecosystems, the destruction of one of Alaska's most valued salmon spawning and rearing habitats, and the flooding of 40,000 acres teeming with wildlife, while costing the state billions of dollars that are needed elsewhere.' Critics of hydroelectric development point out that elsewhere in the United States, dams are being removed, not built, because of their harmful effects on salmon and other migratory fish species. They also say that construction costs regularly exceed projections. Opponents of the Susitna project also questioned the process that led to the letter being drafted and sent by the executives of the cooperatively owned utilities, which are governed by citizen boards of directors. Those opponents said that not all the utility executives had consulted with board members before the letter was sent — an assertion that two members confirmed to Northern Journal, though they asked to remain anonymous to describe internal conversations. 'Utility staff should not be contacting the Legislature or taking positions without board knowledge or approval,' said Petkanas. A spokesperson for the largest urban utility, Chugach Electric Association, could not be reached for comment Wednesday, while the spokesperson for the next-largest, Matanuska Electric Association, did not respond to a request for comment. But Mark Wiggin, board chair of Chugach Electric Association, said he was informed about the letter in advance. 'There's an overarching interest by all of us to find some way to maintain our energy grid,' Wiggin said. 'However we do that, without having to import all that gas, would be a good thing.' Disclosure: Northern Journal reporter Nat Herz works as a volunteer crew member (paid in fish, not cash) for two weeks each summer at a small commercial fishing business at the mouth of the Susitna River. Nathaniel Herz welcomes tips at natherz@ or (907) 793-0312. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Herz. Subscribe at this link. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Air traffic control at Newark Airport briefly lost communication with aircraft, kicking off travel chaos
Air traffic controllers temporarily lost communication with aircraft flying in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport last week, an incident that has continued causing major delays at the travel hub. Last Monday, a ground stop was issued at Newark airport due to a Federal Aviation Administration equipment malfunction. The administration has still not clarified what the equipment malfunction was. During the incident, air traffic controllers in Area C of the Philadelphia TRACON, a traffic control facility that guides flights in and out of Newark, lost communication with aircraft traveling to and from the airport, making them unable to see, hear, or talk to them, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The air traffic controllers are in charge of "separating and sequencing aircraft in and out of Newark Airport." It's not clear at this time how long the air traffic controllers lost communication with the aircraft. The event led the air traffic controllers to take leave under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, which covers federal employees who are physically injured or experience a traumatic event on the job, according to NATCA, a union that represents around 20,000 aviation professionals. While the union did not elaborate on what caused the communication loss, it said it supports Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's "efforts to upgrade and modernize our nation's air traffic control systems and infrastructure." Since the incident, delays and cancelations of flights traveling into and out of Newark airport have been constant. Airlines, including United, have had to cancel hundreds of flights, and dozens of others were diverted to other airports. Many issues contributed to the disruptions, including understaffing, several instances of technical equipment failure and construction. On Monday afternoon, over 300 flights traveling to and from Newark were delayed, and more than 150 were canceled, according to Bill Walker was one of the passengers to have his flight delayed on Monday. "We were delayed almost 3 hours in Seattle because they couldn't get air clearance to come into Newark," Walker told NBC News. Other travelers weren't as lucky. Ireland Hernandez, who was trying to get back home to Mexico, had an afternoon flight to Houston that got canceled. "We came here just for the weekend and vacation, and we were planning to go back to Los Angeles," Hernandez said. "But we have this connection flight from Newark to Dallas, and then we were driving to Mexico." She was traveling with her friend, Sarah Arce. They said they struggled to get answers or support from airline staff. 'They said 'we can't give you a voucher,'' Arce said. United CEO Scott Kirby said that the Philadelphia TRACON "has been chronically understaffed for years," adding that "Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead." A shortage in air traffic controllers is an ongoing, nationwide problem. According to Duffy, there are some 3,000 vacant positions nationwide and he's planning to roll out a strategy to incentivize the labor force. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday said there has been neglect in maintaining the air traffic control system, and he praised Duffy for working to hire more controllers. 'Decades of underinvestment in the maintenance of critical air traffic control infrastructure, delays in upgrading to modern 21st century air traffic control technology, and inadequate air traffic control staffing have resulted in a frail system nationwide,' Murphy, a Democrat, said. Murphy said that thousands of passengers at Newark's airport have been affected. He said he was asking Duffy for more investment iun New Jersey. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Monday that "our antiquated air traffic control system is affecting our workforce," and that it is working to improve the reliability of communications in the New York City area. The FAA said that when there are staffing or equipment problems it will slow arrivals in the interest of safety. "We will keep the public updated as we work through these issues. The FAA will continue to be transparent with the public about the status of Newark and every airport," the FAA said, directing people to its website. This article was originally published on
NBC News
05-05-2025
- NBC News
Air traffic control at Newark Airport briefly lost communication with aircraft, kicking off travel chaos
Air traffic controllers temporarily lost communication with aircraft flying in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport last week, an incident that has continued causing major delays at the travel hub. Last Monday, a ground stop was issued at Newark airport due to a Federal Aviation Administration equipment malfunction. The administration has still not clarified what the equipment malfunction was. During the incident, air traffic controllers in Area C of the Philadelphia TRACON, a traffic control facility that guides flights in and out of Newark, lost communication with aircraft traveling to and from the airport, making them unable to see, hear, or talk to them, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The air traffic controllers are in charge of "separating and sequencing aircraft in and out of Newark Airport." It's not clear at this time how long the air traffic controllers lost communication with the aircraft. The event led the air traffic controllers to take leave under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, which covers federal employees who are physically injured or experience a traumatic event on the job, according to NATCA, a union that represents around 20,000 aviation professionals. While the union did not elaborate on what caused the communication loss, it said it supports Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's "efforts to upgrade and modernize our nation's air traffic control systems and infrastructure." Since the incident, delays and cancelations of flights traveling into and out of Newark airport have been constant. Airlines, including United, have had to cancel hundreds of flights, and dozens of others were diverted to other airports. Many issues contributed to the disruptions, including understaffing, several instances of technical equipment failure and construction. On Monday afternoon, over 300 flights traveling to and from Newark were delayed, and more than 150 were canceled, according to m. Bill Walker was one of the passengers to have his flight delayed on Monday. "We were delayed almost 3 hours in Seattle because they couldn't get air clearance to come into Newark," Walker told NBC News. Other travelers weren't as lucky. Ireland Hernandez, who was trying to get back home to Mexico, had an afternoon flight to Houston that got canceled. "We came here just for the weekend and vacation, and we were planning to go back to Los Angeles," Hernandez said. "But we have this connection flight from Newark to Dallas, and then we were driving to Mexico." She was traveling with her friend, Sarah Arce. They said they struggled to get answers or support from airline staff. 'They said 'we can't give you a voucher,'' Arce said. United CEO Scott Kirby said that the Philadelphia TRACON "has been chronically understaffed for years," adding that "Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead." A shortage in air traffic controllers is an ongoing, nationwide problem. According to Duffy, there are some 3,000 vacant positions nationwide and he's planning to roll out a strategy to incentivize the labor force.
Los Angeles Times
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Thump Records celebrates 35 years of lowrider jams
Within the Pomona Swap Meet's sea of shiny Corvettes and 1950s Cadillacs, a storage truck seems out of place. In thick block letters, it reads Thump Records and is open for vending. As racks of graphic tees line each side of the truck, the L.A.-based record label fills its shelves with lowrider mixtape CDs, Latin oldies USB flash drives and rare vinyl box sets — a physical media paradise. Though the Thump truck might not meet a classic car show's requirements, its contents definitely do. 'People think that we shut down and went home, but we're still here. We might not be as strong, but we're still around,' said DJ Steve 'Boom Boom' Hernandez, the self-proclaimed face of Thump Records. 'It's always a big shock when people realize we're not only still existing, but we're everywhere.' Founded in 1990 by Bill Walker, Thump Records specializes in distributing oldies mixtapes like 'Old School Collection,' the 'East Side Story' series, 'Latin Oldies' and 'Lowrider Oldies.' Crafting different mixes for various L.A. listeners, like 'The Best of El Chicano' or 'East Side Classic,' Thump prioritizes vintage sounds that are typically hard to come by in the age of streaming. With the help of nostalgia chasers and others wanting to keep the culture alive, the label is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025. Today, they focus on selling their anthologies with their three trucks — which take on various Southern California swap meets, car shows, record fairs and even mall parking lots every weekend — and representing new, up-and-coming artists who embody Thump. Nowadays, oldies culture has become an umbrella term for a certain kind of nostalgia. Whether it's blasting Etta James, War and Malo while cruising the city or attending oldies celebrations like Night of the Blaxican, paying tribute to the sounds and fashions of the past lives on. In sustaining and innovating the scene, Thump Records' survival is a testament to these thriving communities. Just as millennials brought back the vinyl record, Gen Z has revitalized interest in the CD. Whether it's the CD's glossy, iridescent appearance or the intimate liner notes tucked into every jewel case, the compact disc maintains a certain appeal among young music buyers and collectors. Jacob Mora, 11, who was browsing the truck's selection, has spent the past month saving up for a CD player. He says listening to oldies reminds him of spending time with his dad and that his favorite Thump Records mixtape is 'Old School Vol. 2.' 'I just like the old style of everything. I love looking at all covers of the different records and CDs,' said Mora. 'It's cool. I just like the different type of music that used to be around back then.' He stands in front of the Thump truck for a solid 15 minutes going over each CD that interests him and the varying tracklists. He's always on the lookout for anything that has singer Debbie Deb of 'When I Hear Music' '80s fame. Although streaming remains the most popular way to consume music, Hernandez, who joined the label in 1995, finds that people will always come up with good excuses to buy a CD — especially when it's something they haven't seen in years. 'People are always like, 'I lost my CD. I need a new one,' or 'My cousins stole my CD.' There's always somebody who wants something,' said Hernandez. 'We're not selling as much as we used to. That's the truth, but neither is any other label.' Working in almost every part of the company, from photography to DJing and sales, Hernandez shares fond memories of Christmas parties with Tierra and shooting covers for Cypress Hill. But over the many years he has dedicated to Thump, he says it's about more than just the music; it's about satisfying the community. 'Thump Records owns a lot of the rights to the different artists, albums and songs,' said Hernandez, adding that merchandise, such as T-shirts, also is very popular. 'We try to cater to everyone ... whether they're young little kids with families or older people who are taken back to a different time. It makes me feel like we are doing something good.' Wrapped in a Mexican flag, rapper Ricky Did Tha, who works with Thump, runs around the truck posting upcoming events for the label's brewery venture, Oldies Beer. Frequenting different record fairs and tribute shows with the label, he says the reason Thump is still around is because of its dedication to the 'oldies lifestyle.' 'When you buy one of these and you really listen to it, you feel it more than just the music. You feel the energy. It's how we can all come together. It reminds people that we have different pasts, but we are united,' the rapper said. 'That's why everyone says, 'We don't dance. We boogie.''
