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JUNEAU - The clock is running on the public comment period for the Kensington Mine's draft supplemental environmental impact statement, with public meetings scheduled in late February in Juneau and Haines.
The draft SEIS was released Jan. 23, and includes mine developer Coeur Alaska's proposed changes to the mine plan that was approved in the late 1990s, as well as two viable alternatives.
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"We're leaving it open until we hear comments from the public. (A preferred alternative) will be selected in the final SEIS."
The gold mine, 45 miles north of downtown Juneau, has an estimated reserve of 1.1 million ounces of gold, said Coeur Alaska Vice President Rick Richins.
2004 convention season includes 18 in Februray
ANCHORAGE - The 2004 convention season is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet, according to the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The city is preparing to host its greatest number of pre-booked conventions.
The ACVB has booked seven conventions that will bring 1,275 people to the city between now and 2006. The total economic impact is estimated at more than $1.1 million.
The largest of the seven events will be the Epilepsy Foundation of America's annual conference in October 2006, with 600 delegates.
A total of 18 conventions are booked for February, bringing more than 6,500 delegates to the city with an estimated economic Impact of $6.5 million.
Large events in February include Winter Cities (Feb. 18-22, with 800 delegates) and the International Airlines Ski Federation convention (Feb. 29-March 5, with 600 delegates).
Nation
NEW YORK - Consumer confidence rose in January to its best level since November of 2000, amid an improving view of both current and future circumstances, according to a report released Jan. 30.
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index moved to 103.8 at the end of January, compared with December's reading of 92.6, according to those who had seen the subscriber-only report. The final January level also compares favorably with the preliminary 103.2 reading that was reported at mid-month.
Consumer confidence gauges have improved over recent months, amid a surprising amount of volatility, particularly in the Michigan data. Their gains have followed the broader improvement in the U.S. economy over recent months, a recovery that economists and policy makers broadly expect will define the current year as well.
Earlier in the week, the New York-based Conference Board reported in its monthly poll of consumer confidence that consumers' views of the economy rose to their best showing since July 2002.
Defense budget would add missiles at Greely
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration expects to ask Congress early next year for up to $50 billion more for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the White House budget director said Feb. 2.
The request would represent the third major request to pay for U.S. activities in those countries since last spring.
Budget plans also call for siting 10 additional ballistic missile interceptors at Fort Greely, which would bring the anticipated number of interceptors at the Alaska post to 26 sometime late in the decade.
The White House is under growing criticism from Republicans for overall spending that has grown rapidly in his administration.
The money would be on top of $401.7 billion in defense spending that Bush included in the $2.4 trillion budget for 2005 he sent lawmakers Feb. 2.
Bush's defense budget would give substantial boosts to national missile defense, with money to pay for the deployment of up to 20 interceptors in California and Alaska by the end of next year.
Pioneer will buy NEC's plasma TV subsidiary
TOKYO - Pioneer Corp. will buy NEC Corp.'s plasma display panel operations, the two Japanese electronics companies said Feb. 3.
The demand for plasma display panels is surging amid the growing popularity of flat-screen TVs. But intensifying competition from Asian rivals has been spurring a realignment among Japanese makers, including NEC and Pioneer.
Pricing and other details will be announced later, both sides said in a statement. Pioneer said it expects to hold a leading 22 percent share of the global plasma display panel market in fiscal 2005 as a result of the deal.
Under the agreement, Pioneer will acquire all shares in NEC Plasma Display Corp., an NEC subsidiary, and all intellectual property rights NEC holds related to plasma display panels.
- Compiled from business wire services.
