Former Montana Senator: The Arctic Is Critical to America’s Energy Future

Writing for Forbes, former U.S. Senator Conrad Burns of Montana argues that the key to America’s energy success is Arctic development: At a time of unrest in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe, our government should be sending signals that we are serious about long-term energy development both on and off our shores. It is […]

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U.S. Lags As Other Countries Expand Role in Arctic

The opening of the Arctic has put Russia on high alert as the melting ice fields mean a new active border near key oil and gas reserves for the country. According to Military Times, U.S. military officials report that the country is increasing the number of Tu-95H Bear long-range bomber flights over the Arctic, including the […]

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President’s Alaskan Proposals May Weaken America’s Foreign Policy

Alaska tundra

Two proposals recently announced by the Obama Administration have the potential to dramatically slow down America’s progress towards energy stability, even as nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia move forward at full speed with oil and natural gas production, according to U.S. Representative Rob Bishop. Upon instruction from President Obama, the Department of the Interior […]

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Trans-Alaska Pipeline Faces Uncertain Future  

Recent announcements by the federal government to close areas of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Beaufort and Chukchi Seas to oil and natural gas development have Americans concerned about the future of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). TAPS – an 800-miles pipeline that transports oil from northern Alaska to southern Alaskan for delivery to […]

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Norway Moves Forward With Arctic Drilling Leases

Norway is moving full steam ahead on energy exploration in the Arctic by offering new drilling leases in the area for the first time in more than two decades. National Geographic reports that lower oil prices haven’t discouraged Norway’s hopes of capitalizing on the lease sales: Norway’s ministry of petroleum and energy cited the industry’s economic […]

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Countries Hope to Stake Out Arctic Extraction Rights

Ownership of Arctic oil is a topic for debate among the world’s most powerful nations, all of whom have a vested interest in claiming shipping and extraction rights in this lucrative region. The International Business Times reports that representatives from countries around the world gathered at a conference in Norway in January to discuss Arctic […]

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Arctic Shipping Declines in 2014, But Economic Optimism Remains

2014 saw a decline in Arctic shipping that contrasted with hopes that the region would experience an economic boom due to improved access from diminished Arctic ice. According to CBC News, only 31 ships used the Northern Sea Route over Russia in 2014, as opposed to more than 70 the year before. However, while 2014 shipping was […]

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Underwater Vehicle to Reveal Mysteries of Sea Life Under Arctic Ice

Scientists can now get a glimpse at what lies beneath Arctic sea ice with the help of a new autonomous underwater vehicle designed to wear the extreme conditions of the Arctic. Nunatsiaq Online reports that the “Nereid Under Ice” vehicle will collect high resolution images of the sea floor beneath the Arctic ice, allowing scientists […]

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