Alaska's Energy Desk

The 1970s were a crazy time in Alaska. The state was young and along with that adolescence came its first infatuation, oil.  Prudhoe Bay was discovered in 1968 and it changed everything. It was North America’s largest oil field. But Alaska wanted more, and even as the behemoth Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was being built, several companies were pursuing natural gas pipeline projects to bring North Slope gas to market.

For over 40 years, Alaska’s leaders have been promising to build a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope. This week, Alaska’s Energy Desk asks: Will it ever happen? And, if so — why is it taking so long?

A look at what’s worked, and what hasn’t, as the state tries to get its natural gas to market

Starting tomorrow, the Alaska Railroad will be the first in the nation to carry liquefied natural gas by rail. With the Federal Rail Administration’s blessing, LNG will travel the tracks from Anchorage to Fairbanks. As with any new venture, safety is always a topic of discussion.

Residents of a tiny Kenai Peninsula subdivision near Anchor Point thought they had a little slice of peace and quiet. But a tract of homestead land to the south held an oil test well. And now it’s home to 38 acres of an active oil well, processing train, natural gas flare, workers’ camp, truck filling station and a five-story rig that is about to start drilling 30 more wells.

The company announced Friday that, overall, Juneau customers can expect to pay 8 percent more on their electric bill by the end of 2017.