Entries in Dermot Cole for October, 2009
Report blasts oil risk assessment
•When the state hired a contractor for a two-year risk assessment of oil and gas facilities in Alaska, it took more than a year to develop the methodology. That left less than a year to do any risk assessing. But now, an independent review of the methodology said it probably not have been useful in detecting such threats as the corrosion problem that prompted this entire effort.
Ramras hopes to establish new role for lieutenant governor
•Fairbanks Rep. Jay Ramras hopes to turn the post of lieutenant governor into one of "rainmaker, ambassador, connector, and facilitator."
Draft energy plan supports utility merger
•A draft legislative report on energy policy suggests again that merging the six Railbelt utilities is a good idea.
Defining educational success
•On a math test given to a sample of students across the country, 38 percent of the Alaska students in fourth grade were judged "proficient." But on the math test given to Alaska students and scored on a yardstick developed in Alaska, about three-quarters of fourth graders were deemed "proficient" in math. Something doesn't add up.
Murkowski on 'cap and trade'
•If the final climate change bill promotes the expansion of nuclear power and oil exploration in the U.S., Sen. Lisa Murkowski might support it. "Count me as one of those who will keep my mind open as we move forward," Murkowski said in a C-SPAN interview Sunday.
Fired up over propane
•A second Alaska "gas authority" has offered a competing plan to truck fuel made from natural gas down the Dalton Highway, in this case propane.
Young campaign fund drops
•Rep. Don Young had $1.4 million in his campaign fund two at this time during the last election season. Now he has $129,263, Politico.com reports. Young has spent more than $1.2 million on legal fees in the past couple of years.
Palin plans new group, reports say
•Former Gov. Sarah Palin is planning to launch a new political group along with her book. The group will be called "Stand up for Our Nation," the New York Post says.
Reviewers take aim at Alaska State Troopers' TV show
•The early reviews of the Alaska State Troopers TV show make much of how many drunks appear on the screen. •A state agency reaffirmed its support of the plan to have the Fred Meyer West store and other lots annexed into the city. •Alaska is one of 40 states where students taking the National Assessment of Educational Progress in fourth and eighth grade showed no progress in 2009, compared to 2007, a new report says.
Disabled Alaskans may have chance to get appliance rebates
•The state has $658,000 available in federal money for the clunker appliance changeout program. Details are expected to be announced Wednesday on a plan to limit the rebate program in Alaska to the disabled, which sounds reasonable. •Student enrollment in the Fairbanks public schools is up by about 275 from a year ago. •The federal office of the Director of National Intelligence and UAF are hosting a two-day conference on national intelligence issues Wednesday and Thursday at UAF.
Extreme tube time for Troopers
•The latest in the blizzard of extreme this or that TV shows about Alaska features the Alaska State Troopers on the National Geographic channel. Judging by the advance publicity, the show reinforces the image that life in Alaska is one perilous moment after another.
Campbell files for Lt. Gov.
•Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell, who says Alaska residents should "never have to pay an income tax or statewide sales tax," is starting his 2010 campaign. •Sarah Triggs and about 20 other volunteers from the Safeway stores are inviting the public to a dinner and auction Wednesday at the Westmark to help the Breast Cancer Detection Center. •The canvassing board is continuing to sort the unopened questioned ballots today — making sure that those who cast them are registered and did not vote twice. The final count for the municipal election is expected by Tuesday afternoon. •The annual HIPOW auction for the Catholic schools raised more than $600,000 this weekend.
Formal request
•The Fairbanks branch of the Armed Services YMCA is looking for donations to assist a program that provides free formal wear for women attending military events.
Samson's building bites the dust
•At 10:11 a.m. today, an excavator ripped off the southeast corner of the old Samson Hardware building. Within a half-hour, the front of the building was gone. •As expected, the EPA today declared Fairbanks a "nonattainment" area for dirt in the air. Fairbanks is one of 31 communities nationwide that received that designation today. Juneau was removed from the nonattainment category. The EPA said the latest data shows improved air quality in the state capital.
Parnell to announce Senate pick today
•Gov. Sean Parnell is to announce his choice to replace Sen. Gene Therriault at 3:15 p.m. today in his Fairbanks office. That probably means he has chosen one of the two nominees from the North Pole area — Rep. John Coghill or former Sen. Mike Miller — to become a state senator. •The old Samson Hardware building is expected to be torn down today.
Registered non-voters etc.
•Something does not register. Fifteen years ago, 19,244 people voted in the election when Jim Sampson was re-elected borough mayor. There were allegedly 47,645 registered voters. On Tuesday, close to 16,000 people voted. There are allegedly 67,832 voters. So while we have gained 20,000 "voters," we have lost 3,000 real voters.
Parnell proposes scholarship plan for high school students earning good grades
•Gov. Sean Parnell thinks that every student should be able to earn a scholarship for tuition at post-secondary schools in Alaska by achieving good marks in high school. The plan he released today is called the Governor's Performance Scholarship or GPS for short. It would be funded with earnings from a $400 million chunk of the $8 billion Constitutional Budget Reserve.
Movius writes of pioneer women
•Phyllis Demuth Movius is to sign copies of her new book Saturday at the Material Girls on College Road. •UAF Professor Terry Chapin is to speak on “Sustainability in a Changing Arctic: Forces for Change and Sustainability Options," Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Room 401 of the Akasofu Building at UAF.
Begich on health care bill
•Sen. Mark Begich says health care reform should not be judged entirely on whether there is a "public option" in the final bill or not. Begich appeared on C-SPAN's Washington Journal program today. •Only about a dozen parents attended the latest meeting Thursday on a proposed school reform plan that could mean major changes in the structure of Lathrop High School. The next meeting is Saturday at the Lathrop High School Library from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. •The Food Network is in town, taping a show for "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri.
Moose hunting tale
•If you haven't already done so, make sure to read Sam Bishop's account of his return to moose hunting on the Outdoors page today.
