Gov. Bill Walker leaves the gallery of the Alaska House of Representatives with his legislative liaison Darwin Peterson, center, and Communication Director Grace Jang after watching the House passed its version of Senate Bill 26 on Wednesday. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

Alaska House approves Permanent Fund plan — with strings attached

For the first time in state history, the Alaska Legislature has chosen to spend the Alaska Permanent Fund on something other than dividends. On Wednesday,… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker leaves the gallery of the Alaska House of Representatives with his legislative liaison Darwin Peterson, center, and Communication Director Grace Jang after watching the House passed its version of Senate Bill 26 on Wednesday. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

Cook Inlet Energy unsuccessfully contests fine

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s final decision to put a $446,000 penalty on Cook Inlet Energy remains final. In an order Tuesday, the… Continue reading

Agencies: Alaska laws may limit health care competition

JUNEAU — Two federal agencies have recommended that Alaska repeal laws that the agencies say may limit competition in the health care market. The U.S.… Continue reading

Jeremy Anderson, a former Nikiski Middle-High School music teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, walks out of a Kenai courtroom Nov. 25, 2014 in Kenai. (Clarion file photo)

No trial yet for former teacher accused of sexual abuse

The trial for a former Nikiski teacher accused of sexual abuse involving a student is waiting to move forward pending a decision by the Alaska… Continue reading

Jeremy Anderson, a former Nikiski Middle-High School music teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, walks out of a Kenai courtroom Nov. 25, 2014 in Kenai. (Clarion file photo)

Project GRAD continues student support

Since 2003, Project GRAD has worked to impact a generational change by working with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, finding a variety of successes… Continue reading

Photo/Miller Energy Resources The Osprey platform is one of several assets owned by Miller Energy Resources in the Cook Inlet, Alaska. The company, one current and one former executive  have been charged by the Security and Exchanges Commission for overvaluing company assets. A partner with a with a now-defunct accounting firm taksed with auditing Miller Energy's financial statements has also been charged.

Cook Inlet Energy faces involuntary bankruptcy petition

Three companies have filed claims in federal bankruptcy court seeking more than $2.6 million in unpaid bills owed by Cook Inlet Energy LLC. Baker Hughes… Continue reading

  • Aug 7, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
  • Energy
Photo/Miller Energy Resources The Osprey platform is one of several assets owned by Miller Energy Resources in the Cook Inlet, Alaska. The company, one current and one former executive  have been charged by the Security and Exchanges Commission for overvaluing company assets. A partner with a with a now-defunct accounting firm taksed with auditing Miller Energy's financial statements has also been charged.
Photo/Miller Energy Resources The Osprey platform is one of several assets owned by Miller Energy Resources in the Cook Inlet, Alaska. The company, one current and one former executive  have been charged by the Security and Exchanges Commission for overvaluing company assets. A partner with a with a now-defunct accounting firm taksed with auditing Miller Energy's financial statements has also been charged.

As CIE works to avoid bankruptcy, state wires partial tax credit payment

The State of Alaska has promised to wire Cook Inlet Energy LLC — a subsidiary of Miller Energy Resources — a $6.4 million partial tax… Continue reading

  • Sep 8, 2015
  • By RASHAH MCCHESNEY Peninsula Clarion
  • Energy
Photo/Miller Energy Resources The Osprey platform is one of several assets owned by Miller Energy Resources in the Cook Inlet, Alaska. The company, one current and one former executive  have been charged by the Security and Exchanges Commission for overvaluing company assets. A partner with a with a now-defunct accounting firm taksed with auditing Miller Energy's financial statements has also been charged.

Cook Inlet Energy ordered to take corrective actions after flare-up

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission softened its enforcement actions on Cook Inlet Energy, LLC after the company requested a review of a proposed… Continue reading

Cook Inlet Energy fined for safety valve violations

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission — the state regulatory oversight group for the hydrocarbon industry — has issued a $446,000 penalty to Cook… Continue reading

Thaddeus Lewis turns to his boss, Lee Berzanske, while drilling holes in an Enstar Natural Gas Co. truck during their work day Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 at Lee’s Heavy Equipment Repair on Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. Lewis, an inmate at Wildwood Correctional Complex, was the first offender admitted into the facility’s new Vocational Work Release Program. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Wildwood programs offer better chance at employment after imprisonment

Thaddeus Lewis has figured out the best way to serve his time at the Wildwood Correctional Complex: by hardly being there at all. Lewis, 55,… Continue reading

Thaddeus Lewis turns to his boss, Lee Berzanske, while drilling holes in an Enstar Natural Gas Co. truck during their work day Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 at Lee’s Heavy Equipment Repair on Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. Lewis, an inmate at Wildwood Correctional Complex, was the first offender admitted into the facility’s new Vocational Work Release Program. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Poet’s Corner: Wishing for Spring

Wishing for Spring By Grant Christopher As the Earth tilts towards the sun, and the ice and snow are finally done. The birds begin their… Continue reading

  • Apr 5, 2017
  • By Grant Christopher

PacRim coal mine permitting suspension leaves some simmering debate

Although a plan to strip-mine coal from beneath the Chuitna River’s west Cook Inlet tributaries is done for the moment, elements of controversy may continue… Continue reading

Assembly considers restricting telephone participation for members

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is considering an ordinance that would set additional guidelines for how members can participate by phone. Currently, if an assembly… Continue reading

Bill would expand prisoner employment opportunities

A bill making its way through the Alaska House of Representatives has the potential to revitalize work programs for the state’s incarcerated population and fill… Continue reading

Daniel Reynolds, an environmental technician with the Ninilchik Traditional Council, prepares to place the buoy marking the tribe’s subsistence gillnet on the Kenai River on Aug. 14, 2016 near Soldotna. On April 3, the Federal Subsistence Board granted the Ninilchik Traditional Council’s special action request for the gillnet to operate again in 2017. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Ninilchik gets approval for Kenai gillnet in 2017

The Ninilchik Traditional Council officially has permission to put a gillnet in the Kenai and Kasilof rivers again this summer, but with a few changes.… Continue reading

Daniel Reynolds, an environmental technician with the Ninilchik Traditional Council, prepares to place the buoy marking the tribe’s subsistence gillnet on the Kenai River on Aug. 14, 2016 near Soldotna. On April 3, the Federal Subsistence Board granted the Ninilchik Traditional Council’s special action request for the gillnet to operate again in 2017. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Body of man recovered in Turnagain Arm off Beluga Point

ANCHORAGE (AP) — The body of a man has been recovered from Turnagain Arm near Beluga Point. Alaska State Troopers say the man has been… Continue reading

  • Apr 11, 2017

Hilcorp acquires additional Inlet oil assets

Hilcorp Alaska will purchase XTO Energy assets in the Middle Ground Shoal of Cook Inlet and is also studying a possible restart of a shut-in… Continue reading

Despite downturn, Hilcorp continues to buy

As other oil and gas companies seek to trim expenses with layoffs and stalling development, Hilcorp Alaska has no plans to stop acquisitions. The company… Continue reading

Hilcorp seeks Falls Creak Area expansion

Oil and gas company Hilcorp Alaska wants to add about 40 acres of land to a gasfield located between Clam Gulch and Ninilchik. Hilcorp applied… Continue reading

Hilcorp volunteers serve some 300 turkey dinners to Kenai Seniors.

Hilcorp serves up Thanksgiving dinner

Since Hilcorp came to Alaska they have gained a reputation for knowing how to get oil and gas out of an aging oil field —… Continue reading

Hilcorp volunteers serve some 300 turkey dinners to Kenai Seniors.