Elizabeth Harball, Alaska's Energy Desk

The state offered 2.6 million acres, but just one company — Hilcorp — bid on 16,636 acres.

As part of their strategy going forward, opponents to drilling in ANWR are looking beyond Washington, D.C. and across U.S.-Canada border for support.

Yes for Salmon’s backers want Alaska to toughen the permitting process for mines, dams and other projects in salmon habitat. But during oral arguments, the state argued it goes against the state constitution because it forces the legislature to prioritize salmon habitat over other uses.

The Department of Interior released a notice saying it will hold “no fewer than two” oil lease sales in a 1.6-million acre portion of the refuge, known as the 1002 area or the Coastal Plain.

In late March, Volt49’s organizers assigned a unique challenge related to renewable energy in Alaska to four teams across the state, and they have had five weeks to solve it.

Conoco didn’t release many details about the discoveries, including how much oil was found. But in a press release, the company called the results of this winter’s drilling season “promising.”