November-Issue-4 2012

 

Archive »AJC Issue Archive Departments

Lawyer files motion for consolidated fishing trial

A lawyer is asking a judge to consolidate the trials of 22 Alaska Native fishermen charged with illegal fishing during a poor salmon run.
Associated Press

Incumbent mulls legislative race recount request

Republican state Rep. Bill Thomas says he's likely to ask for a recount in the election race that ended with him behind by 34 votes to Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka.

BP suspended from new US gov't contracts

The Obama administration put a temporary stop to new federal contracts with British oil company BP on Wednesday, citing the company's "lack of business integrity" and criminal proceedings stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.
JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press

It's not just taxes: Benefit cuts divide Democrats

It's not just about taxes. There's another big obstacle to overcome as Congress and President Barack Obama work to skirt the fiscal cliff: deep divisions among Senate Democrats over whether to consider cuts to popular benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press

Stocks move higher on hopes for budget deal

Lawmakers kept Wall Street on its toes Wednesday as investors waited for signs of progress on the "fiscal cliff."
STEVE ROTHWELL,AP Business Writer

Alaska high court rejects Alyeska appraisal claim

The Alaska Supreme Court has rejected claims by Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. that the state erred in its appraisal of right-of-way land leased for the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Bell to seek recount in Senate race

Republican Bob Bell said Monday that he will seek a recount in his race against Anchorage Democratic Sen. Hollis French.
BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press

Trains delivering oil to Washington refineries

The oil boom in the Great Plains states is affecting refineries and a port in Washington.
Associated Press

Cyber Monday likely to be busiest online sales day

Americans clicked away for deals on Cyber Monday, which is expected to be the biggest online shopping day in history.
MAE ANDERSON, AP Retail Writer

Fiscal cliff warning sends stock market lower

Traders came back to work after the Thanksgiving weekend to the same old worries about the fiscal cliff and the European debt crisis.
CHRISTINA REXRODE, AP Business Writer

Gov: Gas imports are ‘last resort’

Where Southcentral will get its energy in the near future was up for debate between the Anchorage mayor and the governor at the Resource Development Council’s annual conference.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce
$33M upgrade expands training, adds housing

$33M upgrade expands training, adds housing

The $15.25 million Career and Tech Center at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna is under construction and on schedule to open in time for 2013 fall classes. The project, which also includes the first student housing on campus, will allow KPC to expand training for Alaska’s high-demand jobs in the resource industries.
Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Point Thomson construction expected to begin in January

ExxonMobil Corp. hasn’t officially given the green light on construction at the Point Thomson gas field 60 miles east of Prudhoe Bay — the company is still securing final permits, it says — but all indications are that the project is a go.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

UA Board of Regents releases operating, capital budgets

The University of Alaska Board of Regents released its budget proposals and performance report at a Nov. 7 meeting in Anchorage.
Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

LNG project is linked to oil tax change, producers say

All three major North Slope producing companies say progress on a large natural gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas project is linked to reform of the state’s oil production tax, an issue that will be before the state Legislature again in its 2013 session.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Flint Hills files application, then backs off LNG trucking plan

Flint Hills Resources has filed plans to build a $184 million natural gas liquefaction plant at Prudhoe Bay with Alaska agencies, but has put the project on hold until sufficient customer demand is firmed up, a company spokesman said Nov. 19.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Northern District salmon not faring better than Kenai, Y-K

Southcentral residents gathered in Wasilla Nov. 15 to talk about Northern District salmon issues with fisheries managers and local politicians.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Apache, Buccaneer advance Cook Inlet exploration work

Apache Corp. has spudded its first Cook Inlet exploration well, the company’s top Alaska manager told the Resource Development Council’s annual conference Nov. 14.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Southeast Alaska mines nearing release of key economic assessments

Mining projects are on a roll in southern Southeast Alaska. Plus, updates on Terra project and an ownership change at Big Chunk.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

BP will shelve North Slope heavy oil production test project

BP will close an experimental heavy oil production project on the North Slope and slow investment in other technically-challenged oil resources to refocus on shorter-term opportunities with small accumulations of conventional light crude oil, BP’s Alaska president, John Minge, told the Resource Development Council’s annual conference Nov. 14.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

FISH FACTOR: Salmon harvest, value drops in 2012; Kodiak top halibut port for 2nd year

Alaska’s salmon harvest and value for 2012 came in well below last year, dropping 21 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
Laine Welch, For the Journal

APCM marks 20 years, $2.7B under management

Alaska Permanent Capital Management had $2.7 billion in assets under management in October — and that wasn’t the firm’s only milestone.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Movers and Shakers 11/25/2012

Bulletin 11/25/2012

Norton Sound hospital opens; Alaska Pacific releases 3Q results; scrap steel exported from Port MacKenzie, Denali Commission releases FY13 plan; 8th Energy in Alaska event set for Dec. 3-4, and more.
Journal of Commerce staff

COMMENTARY: Tax Alaska oil according to product development

Republicans nationwide may be disappointed by the outcome of election night. But, if all politics is local, members of the Alaska GOP are poised to take advantage of their statewide party rally through serious oil tax reform in the next legislative session.
Sarah Brown Guest commentary

Early Thanksgiving welcome after bruising election

Seriously? Both political parties talking pre-emptive smack barely a week after the election.
Will Durst, Raging Moderate

Use credit strategically as the recovery gains strength

The significant tightening of business credit brought by the recession has begun to lift. A recent analysis of FDIC data by the Investigative Reporting Workshop found banks have been increasing overall commercial and industrial lending for five straight quarters.
Phillip Reid Business Banking Sales Leader-Anchorage, KeyBank N.A.
Feds: Lack of sea ice changes walrus behavior

Feds: Lack of sea ice changes walrus behavior

The absence of vast swaths of summer sea ice is changing the behavior of Pacific walrus, federal scientists said Nov. 14, but added that more research will be needed to say what the final effects might be.
DAN JOLING, Associated Press

The Bookworm Sez: No (work) place like home

You ate dinner in front of the TV last night.
Terri Schlichenmeyer, For the Journal

Predicting presidents, storms and life by computer

Forget political pundits, gut instincts, and psychics. The mightier-than-ever silicon chip seems to reveal the future.
Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer
Barrow students provide health education for young peers

Barrow students provide health education for young peers

Middle schoolers in Barrow have some untraditional teachers for touchy coming-of-age subjects.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Archive »Construction Articles

$33M upgrade expands training, adds housing

$33M upgrade expands training, adds housing

The $15.25 million Career and Tech Center at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna is under construction and on schedule to open in time for 2013 fall classes. The project, which also includes the first student housing on campus, will allow KPC to expand training for Alaska’s high-demand jobs in the resource industries.
Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Point Thomson construction expected to begin in January

ExxonMobil Corp. hasn’t officially given the green light on construction at the Point Thomson gas field 60 miles east of Prudhoe Bay — the company is still securing final permits, it says — but all indications are that the project is a go.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Archive »Oil & Gas

BP suspended from new US gov't contracts

The Obama administration put a temporary stop to new federal contracts with British oil company BP on Wednesday, citing the company's "lack of business integrity" and criminal proceedings stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.
JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press

Alaska high court rejects Alyeska appraisal claim

The Alaska Supreme Court has rejected claims by Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. that the state erred in its appraisal of right-of-way land leased for the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Trains delivering oil to Washington refineries

The oil boom in the Great Plains states is affecting refineries and a port in Washington.
Associated Press

Gov: Gas imports are ‘last resort’

Where Southcentral will get its energy in the near future was up for debate between the Anchorage mayor and the governor at the Resource Development Council’s annual conference.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Point Thomson construction expected to begin in January

ExxonMobil Corp. hasn’t officially given the green light on construction at the Point Thomson gas field 60 miles east of Prudhoe Bay — the company is still securing final permits, it says — but all indications are that the project is a go.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

LNG project is linked to oil tax change, producers say

All three major North Slope producing companies say progress on a large natural gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas project is linked to reform of the state’s oil production tax, an issue that will be before the state Legislature again in its 2013 session.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Flint Hills files application, then backs off LNG trucking plan

Flint Hills Resources has filed plans to build a $184 million natural gas liquefaction plant at Prudhoe Bay with Alaska agencies, but has put the project on hold until sufficient customer demand is firmed up, a company spokesman said Nov. 19.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Apache, Buccaneer advance Cook Inlet exploration work

Apache Corp. has spudded its first Cook Inlet exploration well, the company’s top Alaska manager told the Resource Development Council’s annual conference Nov. 14.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

BP will shelve North Slope heavy oil production test project

BP will close an experimental heavy oil production project on the North Slope and slow investment in other technically-challenged oil resources to refocus on shorter-term opportunities with small accumulations of conventional light crude oil, BP’s Alaska president, John Minge, told the Resource Development Council’s annual conference Nov. 14.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

COMMENTARY: Tax Alaska oil according to product development

Republicans nationwide may be disappointed by the outcome of election night. But, if all politics is local, members of the Alaska GOP are poised to take advantage of their statewide party rally through serious oil tax reform in the next legislative session.
Sarah Brown Guest commentary

Archive »Technology

Predicting presidents, storms and life by computer

Forget political pundits, gut instincts, and psychics. The mightier-than-ever silicon chip seems to reveal the future.
Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

Archive »Alaska Politics

Incumbent mulls legislative race recount request

Republican state Rep. Bill Thomas says he's likely to ask for a recount in the election race that ended with him behind by 34 votes to Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka.

Bell to seek recount in Senate race

Republican Bob Bell said Monday that he will seek a recount in his race against Anchorage Democratic Sen. Hollis French.
BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press

Gov: Gas imports are ‘last resort’

Where Southcentral will get its energy in the near future was up for debate between the Anchorage mayor and the governor at the Resource Development Council’s annual conference.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Archive »National Politics

It's not just taxes: Benefit cuts divide Democrats

It's not just about taxes. There's another big obstacle to overcome as Congress and President Barack Obama work to skirt the fiscal cliff: deep divisions among Senate Democrats over whether to consider cuts to popular benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press

Archive »Finance

Stocks move higher on hopes for budget deal

Lawmakers kept Wall Street on its toes Wednesday as investors waited for signs of progress on the "fiscal cliff."
STEVE ROTHWELL,AP Business Writer

Cyber Monday likely to be busiest online sales day

Americans clicked away for deals on Cyber Monday, which is expected to be the biggest online shopping day in history.
MAE ANDERSON, AP Retail Writer

Fiscal cliff warning sends stock market lower

Traders came back to work after the Thanksgiving weekend to the same old worries about the fiscal cliff and the European debt crisis.
CHRISTINA REXRODE, AP Business Writer

APCM marks 20 years, $2.7B under management

Alaska Permanent Capital Management had $2.7 billion in assets under management in October — and that wasn’t the firm’s only milestone.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Use credit strategically as the recovery gains strength

The significant tightening of business credit brought by the recession has begun to lift. A recent analysis of FDIC data by the Investigative Reporting Workshop found banks have been increasing overall commercial and industrial lending for five straight quarters.
Phillip Reid Business Banking Sales Leader-Anchorage, KeyBank N.A.

Archive »Editorials

COMMENTARY: Tax Alaska oil according to product development

Republicans nationwide may be disappointed by the outcome of election night. But, if all politics is local, members of the Alaska GOP are poised to take advantage of their statewide party rally through serious oil tax reform in the next legislative session.
Sarah Brown Guest commentary

Early Thanksgiving welcome after bruising election

Seriously? Both political parties talking pre-emptive smack barely a week after the election.
Will Durst, Raging Moderate

Archive »Movers and Shakers

Movers and Shakers 11/25/2012

Archive »Bulletin Board

Bulletin 11/25/2012

Norton Sound hospital opens; Alaska Pacific releases 3Q results; scrap steel exported from Port MacKenzie, Denali Commission releases FY13 plan; 8th Energy in Alaska event set for Dec. 3-4, and more.
Journal of Commerce staff

Archive »Science

Feds: Lack of sea ice changes walrus behavior

Feds: Lack of sea ice changes walrus behavior

The absence of vast swaths of summer sea ice is changing the behavior of Pacific walrus, federal scientists said Nov. 14, but added that more research will be needed to say what the final effects might be.
DAN JOLING, Associated Press

Predicting presidents, storms and life by computer

Forget political pundits, gut instincts, and psychics. The mightier-than-ever silicon chip seems to reveal the future.
Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

Archive »Mining

Southeast Alaska mines nearing release of key economic assessments

Mining projects are on a roll in southern Southeast Alaska. Plus, updates on Terra project and an ownership change at Big Chunk.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Archive »Fishery Stories

Lawyer files motion for consolidated fishing trial

A lawyer is asking a judge to consolidate the trials of 22 Alaska Native fishermen charged with illegal fishing during a poor salmon run.
Associated Press

Northern District salmon not faring better than Kenai, Y-K

Southcentral residents gathered in Wasilla Nov. 15 to talk about Northern District salmon issues with fisheries managers and local politicians.
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

FISH FACTOR: Salmon harvest, value drops in 2012; Kodiak top halibut port for 2nd year

Alaska’s salmon harvest and value for 2012 came in well below last year, dropping 21 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
Laine Welch, For the Journal
Feds: Lack of sea ice changes walrus behavior

Feds: Lack of sea ice changes walrus behavior

The absence of vast swaths of summer sea ice is changing the behavior of Pacific walrus, federal scientists said Nov. 14, but added that more research will be needed to say what the final effects might be.
DAN JOLING, Associated Press

Archive »General News

The Bookworm Sez: No (work) place like home

You ate dinner in front of the TV last night.
Terri Schlichenmeyer, For the Journal

Predicting presidents, storms and life by computer

Forget political pundits, gut instincts, and psychics. The mightier-than-ever silicon chip seems to reveal the future.
Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer