Inletkeeper Blog

The Donlin Gold Mine Equals Disaster
My family has a cabin on the river where we frequently haul supplies on our little boat to fish camp; with a large load, the process is very challenging. With the Donlin project’s barging requirements, safely harvesting fish, bringing our kids to fish camp, and living life safely on our rivers will be nearly impossible.

Shifting Tides
It is estimated that Cook Inlet contains about a third of the potential tidal energy of the United States, a resource that could provide roughly 15 times the entire Railbelt’s annual electricity consumption.

HEA Members Watching and Waiting for Renewables: Annual Meeting Report Out
Based on the lack of progress since Janorschke’s nearly identical presentation about renewables two years ago, the Board’s rescinding of the renewable energy goal policy, and lack of movement with wind study funding HEA received two years ago, HEA has not demonstrated follow-through.

How Do We Create a Circular Economy for Electronic Devices?
Since 2006 our electronic recycling programs on the Peninsula have diverted over 600,000 lbs of toxic electronic waste from our landfills, keeping many useful minerals in circulation. To do this, we partner with six different transportation entities, six non-profit and tribal organizations, dozens of generous volunteers, and a handful of other professional service providers.

Donlin Mine Set to Impact Alaskans’ Utility Bills
Alarm bells will be ringing for Southcentral Alaska if Donlin Mine pursues Cook Inlet natural gas to fuel its proposed massive gold mining operation in Western Alaska, with detrimental consequences for Alaskans’ utility bills. Cook Inletkeeper has just released an economic report: Cook Inlet Natural Gas Market Outlook with Incremental Demand from Donlin Mine, which outlines how much NOVAGOLD and Donlin Gold LLC’s energy needs will cost Southcentral Alaska residents and businesses.

Susitna Basin Recreational Rivers Plan Comment Period Ends March 5th
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the Public Review Draft of the Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Management Plan for public review and comment. Following the public review period, DNR intends to adopt the plan with any changes that may...

The Sausage-Making Factory
In a deliberative democracy, ideas that may start off rough have a chance to be polished and cleaned on the way to becoming policy. In legislative hearings, bills are scrutinized from many angles by many stakeholders. Although the process can be frustrating to watch,...

Beginning & Young AK Farmers Network: A Path Forward
The growth in local food production is evident in the thriving farmers markets across the state. The number of markets has quadrupled, growing from 13 in 2006 to 56 markets in 2021, making farmers markets one of the most successful and sustainable agricultural...

HEA Renewable Goal Repealed
Homer Electric Association's directors have abandoned the co-op's goal of becoming 50% renewable by 2025. At their Dec. 12 meeting, board members voted 6-3 to rescind the renewable goal and subsequently approved a new policy for HEA to "to encourage future development...

Joy Comes in the Morning
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the misty morning haze, anticipation coursed through my veins. You are not supposed to watch your rod tip, waiting for it to bow to the secrets that lie beneath the glacier-fed waters (a watched kettle never boils), and...