Life Lessons
Fishing for salmon, this black bear cub stands up for a better look.
Front Page Photo By CINDY BALZER

Alaska: USGS Arctic Study Evaluates Science and Knowledge Gaps for OCS Energy Development; Offers recommendations to better inform responsible oil and gas decisions for Beaufort and Chukchi Seas - In response to a request from Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, the U.S. Geological Survey last Thursday released the ‘science gap and sufficiency’ report evaluating science needed to better inform decisions regarding oil and natural gas exploration and development in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas off Alaska.

In March, 2010, Secretary Salazar directed the USGS - as part of a comprehensive, science-based approach to energy development on the Outer-Continental Shelf - to perform a study to determine what the science gaps were in Outer Continental Shelf energy development in the Arctic, particularly focusing on the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. That is the study being released today.

“There is significant potential for oil and gas development in U.S. Arctic waters, but this is a frontier area with harsh weather conditions as well as unique fish and wildlife resources that Alaska’s indigenous people rely on for subsistence,” Salazar said in announcing release of the report. “To make responsible decisions, we need to understand the environmental and social consequences of development and plan accordingly. This study is helpful in assessing what we know and will help inform determinations about what we need to know to develop our Arctic energy resources in the right places in the right way.”

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) in a prepared statement said, “This long-awaited study about the enormous resource potential in the Arctic is welcome news to those of us who advocate careful development of those resources. It shows that Alaska’s Arctic oil and gas resources are enormous and their responsible development can help address America’s energy and national security."

Begich said, “At the same time, the ‘gap analysis’ identifies a number of steps that should be taken to ensure that development of energy resources is done in a way that protects the other values in the Arctic, including subsistence hunting and fishing. The report suggests that federal agencies can learn from greater collaboration with local communities, particularly from local traditional knowledge, as well from international collaboration. I’ve strongly supported both these approaches with legislation."

“If the President wants to follow up his short-term plan to address rising gasoline prices by selling crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve with a long-term energy plan, this report shows that Alaska can be an important part of the solution and suggests some steps we need to take to get there," said Begich. - More...
Monday - June 27, 2011

Alaska: Increase in Juvenile Fire Play Concerns Officials - Several recent fire incidents in Alaska caused by juvenile fire play have state fire and law enforcement officials concerned. Alaska State Fire Marshal David Tyler reminds Alaskans that one of the leading causes for child fire fatalities is child fire play. Tyler adds "the Hooper Bay fire in 2006 was one of the most costly fires in the State of Alaska and it was caused by children playing with fire". An increase in these incidents seems to coincide with summer vacation from school.

Curiosity is usually the reason for child fire play, but in some cases there are far more troubling issues going on in a child's life that cause this behavior. There are Juvenile Firesetter Intervention programs in Alaska that can curb this behavior before a devastating fire takes place or another life is lost. The key issue for the success of these programs is early intervention. In many cases child fire play can be stopped by fire safety education instead of putting children through the judicial system. It is important for Alaskans to report incidents of child fire play to local authorities no matter how large or small they may be. - More...
Monday - June 27, 2011

Southeast Alaska: SEARHC, Bartlett announce fall mobile mammograms - The SEARHC WISEWOMAN Women’s Health Program and Bartlett Regional Hospital are happy to announce the Fall 2011 schedule for the mobile mammogram program.

The mobile mammography van will visit Hoonah, Haines, Skagway, Klawock, Craig and Metlakatla during the late-summer and fall schedule. The van visits Hoonah on Aug. 22-26, Haines on Aug. 29-Sept. 12, Skagway on Sept. 13-14, Klawock on Sept. 20-30 and Oct. 5-11, Craig on Oct. 3-4 and Metlakatla on Oct. 13-21. Women are encouraged to contact their local clinics before the scheduled visit because they will need to have a recent clinical breast exam on file (within the previous six months) before they can get their mammograms.

The mobile mammography program is run through a partnership between Bartlett Regional Hospital and the SEARHC WISEWOMAN Women’s Health Program. It makes regular mammography screening services available to women who live in communities where they aren’t available year round. - More...
Monday - June 27, 2011

Alaska: Report shows heat pumps economically viable in Alaska - Ground source heat pumps offer an economically viable heating option in some places in Alaska, according to a new report from UAF’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power and the Cold Climate Housing Research Center.

CCHRCA crew lays ground loop roughly 10 feet underground for the ground source heat pump at Weller Elementary School in Fairbanks. The Cold Climate Housing Research Center is monitoring the heat pump system, which is combined with solar thermal panels.
Photo courtesy of Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRCA)

The study found that the systems, which extract heat from the earth, are technically and economically viable in areas with high heating costs and low electric costs. The report, funded by the Denali Commission, offers the first in-depth assessment of ground source heat pumps in Alaska.

“There recently has been quite a bit of excitement about ground source heat pumps, as people are seeking more affordable heating options. Our report helps explain the technology in the context of Alaska, and analyzes its potential throughout the state,” said co-author Colin Craven, head of product testing at CCHRC.

There are roughly 50 heat pumps in Alaska, including high-profile commercial installations at Weller Elementary School in Fairbanks and the Juneau Airport Terminal as well as several residential installations around the state. A heat pump transfers energy from the earth or water to use for heating or cooling. The system consists of underground tubing filled with heat-transfer fluid, an electric pump and a heat distribution system. - More...
Monday - June 27, 2011

Viewpoints
Commentary
Opinions/Letters
Basic Rules &
Freedom of Speech