March Issue 4 2012

Alaska senators, DOT pleased with transportation bill

The Senate passed a major transportation overhaul March 14 to put about $109 billion toward projects throughout the nation. While the bill itself may mean the end of a lot of funding for the Alaska Railroad Corp., other Alaska programs may come out ahead.

By Jonathan Grass, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Visitors up 2 percent in 2011, still off 2007 peak numbers

More folks are dropping by Alaska these days, albeit only slightly more.

By Jonathan Grass, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Shops empty as oil production declines

When a film producer called up CH2M Hill’s area manager Tom Maloney a few weeks ago to ask if the company’s empty fabrication shop could be used as space for film production, it was the last straw.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Shops empty as oil production declines

When a film producer called up CH2M Hill’s area manager Tom Maloney a few weeks ago to ask if the company’s empty fabrication shop could be used as space for film production, it was the last straw.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Session clock winds down with pressure on budget, energy

JUNEAU — The clock is winding down in the capitol toward the Legislature’s required adjournment April 15.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Study: Inlet gas discoveries won’t stop shortage

Despite new natural gas discoveries in Alaska’s Cook Inlet utilities in the region will still experience shortages of gas supply by 2014 due to declining production in maturing fields, according to a new study of Cook Inlet gas reserves and regional demand released Monday.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Director of ‘Titanic,’ ‘The Abyss’ to explore depths

WASHINGTON (AP) — Earth’s lost frontier is about to be explored firsthand after more than half a century. It’s a mission to the deepest part of the ocean, so deep that the pressure is the equivalent of three SUVs sitting on your toe.

By Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

Session clock winds down with pressure on budget, energy

JUNEAU — The clock is winding down in the capitol toward the Legislature’s required adjournment April 15.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Alaska senators, DOT pleased with transportation bill

The Senate passed a major transportation overhaul March 14 to put about $109 billion toward projects throughout the nation. While the bill itself may mean the end of a lot of funding for the Alaska Railroad Corp., other Alaska programs may come out ahead.

By Jonathan Grass, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Gov, Speaker cautious but optimistic about tax reform

Gov. Sean Parnell and House Speaker Mike Chenault say they are hopeful, but still cautious, on prospects for a major reform of state oil and gas taxes passing the Legislature in the final weeks of the 2012 session.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

COMMENTARY: Halibut season starts; agenda set for 33rd ComFish in Kodiak

The Pacific halibut fishery got under way on March 17 and if the dynamic of supply and demand holds true, there will be an upward push on prices.

By Laine Welch, For the Journal

COMMENTARY: A fish board member’s opinion of life on the board

Alaska has many boards and commissions that make the state a better and safer place to live. One of the more important ones is the Fish Board, which regulates a resource that has an economic impact of between $5 billion and $7 billion annually, depending on how it is calculated.

By Karl Johnstone

COMMENTARY: The Bookworm Sez: Imagine way to success

The painting you hung on the wall near your desk relaxes you.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer, For the Journal

Bokan mine could meet rare earth needs

Whether it’s a commuter turning on a cell phone or the military engineering new defense systems, they depend on rare earth minerals. Until now, the United States has been relying on foreign suppliers to get them, but that may change eventually with a new mining venture in Southeast Alaska.

By Jonathan Grass, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Pebble debate breaks out between BBNC shareholders

JUNEAU — Sharp opinion differences over the proposed Pebble mine within the Bristol Bay community spilled out in Juneau March 19.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Howling happy hybrids

American fishermen rally in DC as industry struggles

BOSTON (AP) — Fishermen from California to New England rallied for their struggling industry in Washington with an election year message for Congress: helping the fishing industry will save jobs.

By Jay Lindsay, Associated Press

Movers & Shakers 03/25/12

Bulletins 03/25/12

Rare whale swims up West Coast

An endangered western Pacific gray whale tracked from Russia to Alaska and along the West Coast to Baja Mexico is on the move again, apparently preparing to cross the Pacific Ocean again.

By Dan Joling, Associated Press

Miners busy with expansions, new projects

From far Southeast Alaska to the far Northwest, minerals companies are busy with projects. Alaska has seven producing mines now, one more than last year.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Pebble debate breaks out between BBNC shareholders

JUNEAU — Sharp opinion differences over the proposed Pebble mine within the Bristol Bay community spilled out in Juneau March 19.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Mineral exploration spending tops $300 million in 2011

Mining is growing fast in its economic punch in the state, new studies by the industry show.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

American fishermen rally in DC as industry struggles

BOSTON (AP) — Fishermen from California to New England rallied for their struggling industry in Washington with an election year message for Congress: helping the fishing industry will save jobs.

By Jay Lindsay, Associated Press

COMMENTARY: Halibut season starts; agenda set for 33rd ComFish in Kodiak

The Pacific halibut fishery got under way on March 17 and if the dynamic of supply and demand holds true, there will be an upward push on prices.

By Laine Welch, For the Journal