Taming the Arctic, One Ferry at a Time
Ferries for Alaska’s harsh conditions, built in Alaska by Alaskans. Vigor and Elliott Bay Design Group team up for a winning combination as the new Alaska Class Ferry Project takes shape. With its network of islands and fjords, rugged mountains and spectacular tidewater glaciers, Alaska’s Inside Passage may make a perfect summer cruise destination, but locals can’t choose when they travel. So when Alaskans need transport, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) must find a way to move them.
Alaska Class Ferries to Be Built in Ketchikan
Announced by Governor Sean Parnell Saturday, September 20, the State of Alaska and Vigor Industrial have reached a final agreement to construct two Alaska Class Ferries at Vigor Alaska in Ketchikan. The vessels will be the first Alaska Marine Highway System ferries to be built in Alaska. “Here we are today to launch this shipyard to a new level, a new level of good jobs, a new level of growth for Ketchikan businesses that are going to supply the shipyard and its workers,” Governor…
Alaska Plan To Export North Slope Gasp
Alaska's legislature on Monday approved Governor Sean Parnell's plan to join four energy companies in moving ahead on plans to build infrastructure to transport and market 35 trillion cubic feet of North Slope gas to be shipped by an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant. The project is valued at between $45 billion and $65 billion for the line and gas treatment facilities. Should it come to fruition, gas could hit local and foreign markets in the mid-2020s, according to the state's projections. Companies are increasingly seeking to ship LNG from growing U.S. gas reserves to Asia and Europe, where demand is surging. Companies have complained about red tape in seeking federal approval for U.S. facilities to export LNG.
Commercial Agreement Inked for Alaskan Gasline
Alaskan Governor Sean Parnell welcomed news that a commercial agreement for an Alaska gasline has been signed, marking a major milestone in bringing Alaska’s gas to Alaskans and markets beyond. The agreement, also known as a Heads of Agreement (HOA), was signed by the commissioners of Natural Resources and Revenue, ExxonMobil, BP, ConocoPhillips, TransCanada and the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC). The HOA will be subject to public review by the Legislature this session.
Adm. Papp Continues USCG Arctic Outreach
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp has spent a week in Alaska, underscoring the importance of establishing and maintaining a range of Arctic partnerships. Despite snowfall in the North Slope of Alaska last week and cooler than average temperatures all summer, Arctic sea ice extent tracked well below average again this year. This ongoing transformation of the Arctic Ocean from a solid expanse of inaccessible ice fields into an emerging maritime frontier is attracting increased human activity in U.S. Arctic waters which demands an effective, capable U.S. Coast Guard presence.
Alaska: Shell's Offshore Seismic Oil Testing Cleared
According to an August 6 report from The Wall Street Journal, Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said that Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSB, RDSB.LN) and other companies can proceed with seismic testing for oil and gas in Alaska's Chukchi Sea after a federal judge agreed that such activities aren't restricted by an injunction on offshore drilling. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
Coast Guard Foundation Honors USCG in Alaska
The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced that its Biennial Alaska Awards Dinner in tribute to the United States Coast Guard will take place on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Anchorage, Alaska. Honoring the heroic efforts of the guardians who enforce maritime law, protect our homeland and preserve the environment, this year’s gala Co-Chairs are Morgen Crow, executive director of the Coast Village Region Fund and Janis Ivanoff, vice president and chief executive officer of Norton Sound Economic Development Association. Alaska Governor Sean Parnell as well as United States Senators…
State Seeks Intervention in Drilling Case
Governor Sean Parnell has directed the Department of Law to ask the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for permission to intervene in the lawsuit by environmental groups challenging the U.S. Interior Department’s decision to approve an oil exploration plan for the Chukchi Sea. “OCS exploration and development will increase jobs and revenue for Alaskans and for all Americans,” Governor Parnell said. The state previously was granted intervention in a separate case brought by many of the same plaintiffs against an exploration plan for the Beaufort Sea. In both cases, the state has sought intervention due to the economic importance of offshore oil and gas production.
Alaska Gov Touts Offshore Oil Lease Ruling
According to an August 28 report from The Wall Street Journal, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell on August 28 praised a federal appeals court decision that he said will allow Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA) to continue exploring for oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
