COVID 19
Legislature
expands unemployment benefits, allow all Alaskans out of work due to COVID 19 to apply
Shayne Nuesca, KTVA, March 24, 2020
Oil
Bailout for big oil: democrats eliminate $3 billion strategic petroleum reserve purchase in pandemic relief package
Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, March 25, 2020
Senate Democrats say they were able to eliminate the $3 billion for restocking the nation’s emergency Strategic Petroleum Reserve from the pandemic relief package. Earlier versions of the relief bill proposed by Republicans contained the funding, an amount requested by the Energy Department, which was intended to help the oil industry reeling from low prices. But Democrats and Republicans haggled over energy and climate-related provisions, with Democrats asking for carbon emissions restrictions on airlines and tax subsidies for renewables as part of the relief package.
Gas
Cheap
gasoline forcing US refiners to throttle back
Jessica Summers and Barbara Powell, Bloomberg, March 24, 2020
Oil refiners across the U.S. are being forced to throttle back operations amid a historic plunge in gasoline demand and prices. Plants representing more than 10% of U.S. fuel-making capacity have cut back. Exxon Mobil Corp. has slowed rates at facilities in Texas and Louisiana, while others around Los Angeles and Philadelphia are taking similar action to stem a growing glut of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Phillips 66 said Tuesday many of its refineries are processing minimum amounts of crude. Refiners are acutely exposed to the financial impact of the spreading coronavirus.
Mining
Fairbanks
area mines look after seniors
Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News, March 20, 2020
Amidst the scramble to prepare for an imminent pandemic that is roiling mining and metals markets, the three large mines in Interior Alaska have taken the time to look after the members of their community most vulnerable to COVID-19. On March 12, Kinross Fort Knox Mine, Northern Star Resources Ltd. Pogo Mine and Usibelli Coal Mine collectively donated $21,000 to support an emergency funding request received from the North Star Council on Aging for the Fairbanks Senior Center.
Politics
Forget politics – Majority of Republicans and Democrats now agree coronavirus is serious threat
Reuters, March 25, 2020