Environment

Government reaches agreement on polar bear habitat

The federal government will designate "critical habitat" for polar bears in the ocean off Alaska's coast, a decision that could add restrictions to future offshore petroleum exploration or drilling.

More polar bear news

Fairbanks asks EPA air quality rules extension

Municipal officials around Fairbanks want an extra year to study air pollution problems before the federal government imposes rules for clearing particulate from the skies.

Kodiak dumping ground cleanup completed

A cleanup of a site on Kodiak Island used as a dumping ground during World War II has been completed.

Fairbanks over US average for greenhouse gases

Fairbanks released 64 percent more greenhouse gases per resident last year than the national average, according to a new report.

Borough assembly asks EPA to postpone air pollution rules

Nine cruise ships cited for violations

JUNEAU -- State environmental regulators say nine cruise ships violated terms of their wastewater discharge permits during the first half of the cruise season this year.

Izembek road plan back before Congress

Backed by a big offering of state lands, the community of King Cove has returned to Congress pressing for a road through a national wildlife refuge wilderness to Cold Bay's all-weather jetport.

Garbage trucks will run on grease, cooking oil

The state's largest garbage company plans to start converting old grease and cooking oil to help fuel its trucks next year.

Water quality in lower Kenai River improves

Water quality in the Kenai River improved over the summer with new antipollution measures in place, according to preliminary findings.

Loss of Arctic sea ice nears last year's record

This year will see the second-biggest loss on record of Arctic sea ice -- a sign that the area of ice coverage is shrinking at a pace faster than once expected.

Past stories on climate change

Feds will conduct status review of ice seals

The National Marine Fisheries Service will conduct a full status review of three Arctic seal species, focusing more attention on the plight of wildlife that depend on sea ice for survival.

Measure 4 failing by large margin

"No" votes took a big lead over "Yes" votes in the epic battle over Ballot Measure 4.

Anchorage eyes geothermal potential

The Municipality of Anchorage and a company with ties to Iceland have partnered to study whether geothermal energy could be used to help power the largest city in Alaska.

Cruise ship inspectors gain improved access

Cruise ship lines have made their vessels more accessible to state environmental monitors in the last month, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Permafrost conference starts at UAF next week

Hundreds of scientists and engineers are convening at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus next week to compare notes about permafrost and northern soils.

Cruise industry fires up against discharge rules

The tour begins in places cruise-ship passengers never see: the sewage treatment room at the bottom of the hull, the garbage room where crewmen sort paper and plastic amid the unmistakable smell of landfill.

Cruise lines call discharge rules unrealistic

Mat-Su methane project raises hopes, doubts

PALMER -- Helen Riley uses the word exciting to describe Fowler Oil and Gas Corp. The company, led by Bob Fowler, started moving dirt June 1 to prepare for a coal bed methane well in a lush hayfield along Trunk Road.

Center will sue to force walrus decision

A conservation group gave notice Tuesday that it will sue to force federal action on a petition to list the Pacific walrus as a threatened species because of threats from global warming and offshore petroleum development.

Effects of fertilizer spill near the Kenai River appear to be minimal

The early word from investigators checking out the scene of a big fertilizer spill that happened Friday in wetlands near the Kenai River is promising: no dead fish were spotted during a two-hour inspection of the site Saturday.

Sponsors seek withdrawal of 'clean water' initiative

The sponsors of a controversial "clean water" ballot initiative are asking to withdraw it today and say they will back another initiative.

PDF: Letter to Lt. Gov. Parnell and court notice

Red Dog Mine settles water lawsuit

Senators blast polar bear's 'threatened' status

WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced Wednesday that the agency will list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, a decision that could cast the bears as the enduring symbol of the effects of global warming.

Listing disappoints state political, industry leaders

Read the decision

How others are covering it

Politics blog: Congressional delegation reacts

Homer developer fined for threatening river

A local doctor whose subdivision roads risked washing dirt into a tributary of the Anchor River will pay a $27,600 fine, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.