Changes

==Politics of Alaska==

==Politics of Alaska==

Alaska is a [[Republican]] stronghold with a [[libertarian]] streak. <ref>http://election.nationaljournal.com/states/ak.htm</ref> [[George W. Bush]] carried the state 59%-28% in 2000, 61%-36% in 2004, and [[John McCain]] 59%-38% in 2008. The legislature is controlled by Republicans. In 2008 [[Mark Begich]] became the first [[Democrat]] elected to [[Congress]] from Alaska since 1974.

Alaska is a [[Republican]] stronghold with a [[libertarian]] streak.<ref>http://election.nationaljournal.com/states/ak.htm</ref> [[George W. Bush]] carried the state 59%-28% in 2000, 61%-36% in 2004, and [[John McCain]] 59%-38% in 2008. The legislature is controlled by Republicans. In 2008 [[Mark Begich]] became the first [[Democrat]] elected to [[Congress]] from Alaska since 1974.

==Economy==

==Economy==

==Energy==

==Energy==

[[File:Alaska-oil.jpg|thumb|300px|right]][[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]]

[[File:Alaska-oil.jpg|thumb|300px|right]][[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]]

Alaska has vast energy resources but low energy demand. Major oil and gas reserves are found in the Alaska North Slope (ANS) and Cook Inlet basins. The Alaska North Slope contains 14 of the 100 largest oil fields in the United States, and two of the largest natural gas fields. The North Slope’s Prudhoe Bay field is the largest oil field in the country. Substantial coal deposits are found in Alaska’s bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite coal basins. Alaska’s numerous rivers offer some of the highest hydroelectric power potential in the country, and large swaths of the Alaskan coastline offer wind and geothermal energy potential. The oil and gas industry dominates the Alaskan economy, and production activities drive state energy demand. Nevertheless, overall state energy demand is low.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=AK Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  

Alaska has vast energy resources but low energy demand. Major oil and gas reserves are found in the Alaska North Slope (ANS) and Cook Inlet basins. The Alaska North Slope contains 14 of the 100 largest oil fields in the United States, and two of the largest natural gas fields. The North Slope’s Prudhoe Bay field is the largest oil field in the country. Substantial coal deposits are found in Alaska’s bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite coal basins. Alaska’s numerous rivers offer some of the highest hydroelectric power potential in the country, and large swaths of the Alaskan coastline offer wind and geothermal energy potential. The oil and gas industry dominates the Alaskan economy, and production activities drive state energy demand. Nevertheless, overall state energy demand is low.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=AK Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  

Alaska is the second-ranked oil-producing state (after Texas), if output from the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is excluded from the state totals. Nearly all of Alaska’s oil production takes place on the North Slope. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) transports crude oil from the frozen North Slope to the warm-water Port of Valdez, on Alaska’s southern coast. From Valdez, tankers ship the ANS crude oil primarily to refineries in California and Washington State. Those refineries are designed to process the intermediate, sour (high-sulfur) crude oil from the ANS. Alaskan crude oil production has been in decline since 1988, when output peaked at over 2 million barrels per day. However, experts believe that large oil and gas reserves in the state remain untapped, and some have called for the federal government to open more public lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for oil exploration and drilling.  

Alaska is the second-ranked oil-producing state (after Texas), if output from the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is excluded from the state totals. Nearly all of Alaska’s oil production takes place on the North Slope. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) transports crude oil from the frozen North Slope to the warm-water Port of Valdez, on Alaska’s southern coast. From Valdez, tankers ship the ANS crude oil primarily to refineries in California and Washington State. Those refineries are designed to process the intermediate, sour (high-sulfur) crude oil from the ANS. Alaskan crude oil production has been in decline since 1988, when output peaked at over 2 million barrels per day. However, experts believe that large oil and gas reserves in the state remain untapped, and some have called for the federal government to open more public lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for oil exploration and drilling.  

Demand for finished petroleum products in Alaska is low. Although Alaska has six refineries, most of them are “topping” plants that strip away lighter products from the TAPS heavy crude oil stream for internal refinery use. State motor gasoline demand is primarily met by refineries in Kenai and near Fairbanks. The use of oxygenated motor gasoline is required in the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas during their winter months. Jet fuel consumption in Alaska is high compared to other States.  

Demand for finished petroleum products in Alaska is low. Although Alaska has six refineries, most of them are “topping” plants that strip away lighter products from the TAPS heavy crude oil stream for internal refinery use. State motor gasoline demand is primarily met by refineries in Kenai and near Fairbanks. The use of oxygenated motor gasoline is required in the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas during their winter months. Jet fuel consumption in Alaska is high compared to other States.  

Due to harsh weather conditions that persist throughout most of the year, Alaska’s oil infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to weather-related accidents and disruptions. The worst accident was not weather-related, however. It occurred in March 1989, when the tank vessel ''[[Exxon Valdez]]'' struck Bligh Reef and spilled at least 260 thousand barrels of oil into the Prince William Sound (some estimates put the figure at 30 million gallons, or over 700 thousand barrels<ref>Bluemink, Elizabeth. "Size of Exxon spill remains disputed." June 15, 2010. Anchorage Daily News. http://www.adn.com/2010/06/05/1309722/size-of-exxon-spill-remains-disputed.html</ref>). The cause of the accident is at least partially due to navigation errors of fatigued crew members, some of who were allegedly drunk. Other factors contributing to the accident were navigational equipment failures, deliberate breach of navigational protocol, and an inadequate number of crew members on the vessel<ref>Alaska Oil Spill Commission. "Spill: The Wreck of the Exxon Valdez: Implications for Safe Transport of Oil." February, 1990. http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/noaa_documents/NOAA_related_docs/oil_spills/spill_wreck_ExxonValdez_1990.pdf</ref><ref>Reprint of pages 5-14 of the AOSC reference, in an easier to read form. http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/details.cfm</ref>, and these findings led to new regulations and recommended changes in the oil industry, specifically with regards to transporting oil.

Due to harsh weather conditions that persist throughout most of the year, Alaska’s oil infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to weather-related accidents and disruptions. The worst accident was not weather-related, however. It occurred in March 1989, when the tank vessel ''[[Exxon Valdez]]'' struck Bligh Reef and spilled at least 260 thousand barrels of oil into the Prince William Sound (some estimates put the figure at 30 million gallons, or over 700 thousand barrels<ref>Bluemink, Elizabeth. "Size of Exxon spill remains disputed." June 15, 2010. Anchorage Daily News. http://www.adn.com/2010/06/05/1309722/size-of-exxon-spill-remains-disputed.html</ref>). The cause of the accident is at least partially due to navigation errors of fatigued crew members, some of who were allegedly drunk. Other factors contributing to the accident were navigational equipment failures, deliberate breach of navigational protocol, and an inadequate number of crew members on the vessel,<ref>Alaska Oil Spill Commission. "Spill: The Wreck of the Exxon Valdez: Implications for Safe Transport of Oil." February, 1990. http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/noaa_documents/NOAA_related_docs/oil_spills/spill_wreck_ExxonValdez_1990.pdf</ref><ref>Reprint of pages 5-14 of the AOSC reference, in an easier to read form. http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/details.cfm</ref> and these findings led to new regulations and recommended changes in the oil industry, specifically with regards to transporting oil.

==Notable People from Alaska==

==Notable People from Alaska==

''“North to the Future”'' The motto was chosen in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase centennial and was created by Juneau newsman Richard Peter. The motto is meant to represent Alaska as a land of promise.

''“North to the Future”'' The motto was chosen in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase centennial and was created by Juneau newsman Richard Peter. The motto is meant to represent Alaska as a land of promise.

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Alaska-class cruiser]]

*[[Alaska-class cruiser]]

* [[Constitutional carry]]: In Alaska the [[Second Amendment]] is the "[[license]]" for [[Concealed carry]] and [[Open carry]]. The carrying of [[firearm]]s, [[concealed carry | concealed]] or [[Open carry | not]], is generally not restricted by the [[law]].

* [[Constitutional carry]]: In Alaska the [[Second Amendment]] is the "[[license]]" for [[Concealed carry]] and [[Open carry]]. The carrying of [[firearm]]s, [[concealed carry|concealed]] or [[Open carry|not]], is generally not restricted by the [[law]].

* [[Essay:Free States Movement|Free States Movement]]: [[Strategic relocation]]: [[Vote with your feet]]

* [[Essay:Free States Movement|Free States Movement]]: [[Strategic relocation]]: [[Vote with your feet]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://arcticcam.com/cam/ Live image from Fairbanks, Alaska]

*[http://arcticcam.com/cam/ Live image from Fairbanks, Alaska]

*[http://www.state.ak.us/ State of Alaska Home page]

*[http://www.state.ak.us/ State of Alaska Home page]

{{USstates}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category : Alaska]]

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