Inletkeeper Blog
Make an Impact with your PFD
Rather than participating in Pick.Click.Give., which charges a 7% coordination fee, we’re asking you to donate directly from your PFD this year. In the past, that fee has redirected over $14,000 away from our efforts to protect Cook Inlet | Tikahtnu.
HEA Board Approves Contract for State’s Largest Solar Farm
Though Homer Electric Association’s purchase price for the new solar power won’t be public until RIPP presents the contract for approval by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, Baker confirmed that it beats the current cost of HEA’s gas-fired power.
Take Action: Wild Salmon Still Need Water
Inletkeeper has been fighting this biased process for decades. Now, DNR has started another scoping process to ask the public for their input before the Department undertakes the task of revising the reservation of water regulations.
West Susitna Access Road Project
As proposed, the 23-mile West Su Access Road would cut across significant salmon systems, including the Susitna and Little Susitna rivers, to access State lands planned for resource development.
Net Metering Continues: HEA July Meeting Update
This calls into question HEA’s commitment, or lack thereof, to member transparency. We understand not wanting to add fuel to an unpopular opinion from one board member, but members have a right to know what is discussed at board meetings and the intentions of the board members, popular or unpopular. Instead of telling members their comments are misinformed, HEA should better inform members by publishing recordings of each board meeting and capturing more detailed minutes.
Cook Inletkeeper IRA Charitable Distributions: A Tax-Free Opportunity
If you are 70 or older, you have a unique opportunity to support us through an IRA Charitable Distribution. By directing your required minimum distribution to Cook Inletkeeper, you can make a lasting impact while enjoying tax benefits. Simply ask your IRA financial institution for their QCD form or visit their website.
Beluga Protections in Tuxedni Bay
Tuxedni Bay is an essential piece of habitat to ensure the continued survival of this iconic species. The Cook Inlet Beluga habitat is beleaguered with threats from underwater noise from oil and gas development, reductions in critical prey availability, and pollution. NMFS has a duty to ensure the highest levels of accountability for proposed industrial development and to implement swift measures to ensure protection and recovery of this endangered species.
Little Mount Susitna Wind Farm
Earlier this month, Cook Inletkeeper commented in support of leasing state land to a planned 271 megawatt windfarm on Little Mount Susitna, a windy plateau west of its big sister, Mount Susitna, commonly known as Sleeping Lady. Chugach Electric Association – which would buy power from the windfarm’s Fairbanks-based developer, Alaska Renewables – estimates it would save 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually.
Every Oil Spill Started with a Lease Sale – Lease Sale 258 Victory
The federal government should stop wasting taxpayer money on failed lease sales in the middle of a climate crisis. Alaskans know our climate crisis is no joke and are ready to move beyond the fossil fuel era, as well as those who prioritize economic profits over liveable communities. We won’t give up trying to protect Cook Inlet from carbon pollution, oil spill risks, and shortsighted thinking.
Federal Court Reverses Offshore Oil Lease Sale 258 That Threatened Belugas off Alaska’s Coast
Tuesday’s ruling noted that, among other things, the Department of Interior failed to fully consider the lease sale’s cumulative impacts on beluga whales, as well as the issue of blaring vessel noise.