Arctic News April 15

The Arctic This Week April 6 - April 12, 2015

By Doris Friedrich,Mike McCormack, Seth Myers and Ryan Uljua April 15, 2015

Photo: Flickr/blmiers2

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. As always, all editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. Anything that we missed? Please feel free to share material with us if you think it deserves inclusion in TATW.

TAI’s UPCOMING AND RECENT ACTIVITIES

Kathrin Keil and Andreas Østhagen will present at a joint seminar by the Norwegian Embassy and the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) titled “Geopolitics and Sustainability in the Arctic - Norwegian and German Views”. The seminar will take place on the 7th May in Berlin. You can find the program here.

In her article “Spreading Oil, Spreading Conflict?” recently published in The International Spectator, TAI’s Kathrin Keil writes about Arctic oil and gas institutions and their role in potential disputes. She further explores transboundary environmental risks and dangers as significant potential sources of controversy between Arctic states (The International Spectator).

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Shell may reconsider long-term Alaska drilling plans despite tentative U.S. approval

As expected, the Obama administration lifted the suspension of drilling in the Chukchi Sea on March 31. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) now has until May 10 to rule on the specifics of Shell’s plan, with a public comment period open until April 20 (MarEx). However, Shell has now made a bid to acquire British energy conglomerate BG Group, which caused Shell’s leadership to state that the Arctic may be less of a priority for the company in the coming years (APM). Still, the company appears on track to resume drilling in the Chukchi Sea should the BOEM approve its plan. In protest of the plans moving forward, Greenpeace activists took up residence aboard Shell’s Arctic-bound Polar Pioneer rig while it transited through the Pacific Ocean. The protesters abandoned their activities on April 11 due to bad weather (APM).

Baffinland mine expansion plan nixed by regulator over icebreaking concerns

In the first ruling of its kind, the Nunavut Planning Commission, the territory’s land use regulator, denied plans for an expansion of the Baffinland Iron Mine project in the Mary River area of Baffin Island (CBC). Baffinland’s plan called for the Mary River project to be tripled in size. The plan also proposed shipping iron ore from the mine 10 months of the year, rather than just during the summer months as it does now. Nunavut regulators took issue with the expanded shipping plans, as the extended shipping season would necessitate the use of icebreakers in an area that the Nunavut Planning Commission deemed ‘essential’ (NN).

The Arctic sea ice’s unusual melt pattern this March

This year’s melt season of the Arctic sea ice experienced an unusual pattern in the form of a “double dip”. While the sea ice extent usually grows at the beginning of March and then declines, this year the melt season was interspersed by periods of ice growth. What is more, the monthly average of the sea ice extent was the lowest in the satellite record (NSIDC).

Norway leads Social Progress Index

Norway was ranked first overall in Social Progress Imperative’s 2015 Social Progress Index, an annual ranking of 133 countries according to economic, social, and environmental factors indicators (NORA). Norway was followed by fellow Arctic states Sweden in second and Iceland in fourth (mbl).

No more free shipping to “remote locations” in the Canadian Arctic

Amazon Canada informed its customers last week that many communities will no longer benefit from free shipping. Instead, a flat fee of $29 plus an additional $22 per kilogram will be charged. While this is understandable from the company’s point of view, considering the “economic and shipping complexities in remote locations”, for many people in the Canadian North this means that they have lost one of the last options to receive products relatively cheaply (CBC).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

United States

Alaska Senate passes bill establishing an official state Arctic policy (AD).

Alaska legislative session's end date nears (NM).

With One-Cent Spill Levy, Alaska House Passes First Tax Bill In Years (APM).

Budget bills advance, capital spending a mere $108M (AJOC).

Russia

Helsinki and Stockholm turn back on V-Day celebration in Moscow (BO).

RIA Novosti: Lavrov sees U.S. trying but failing to curb “every nation” in ties with Russia (Johnson’s Russia List).

Putin ahead of world leaders in Time readers’ poll of most influential people (TASS).

Press Digest: Russian hackers broke into U.S. presidential servers (RBTH).

Former Finance Minister Slams Russian Government on Corruption (MT).

Russia Cannot Become a Democracy in Its Current Borders, Walesa Says (Window on Eurasia).

Canada

N.W.T. MLA Michael Nadli released on bail after assault charge (CBC).

Canadian province of Quebec announces plan for northern development (AD).

Europe

Finland: Majority of parliamentary candidates rate climate change above competitiveness (AD).

OECD slams Iceland on bribery (mbl).

Half of Icelanders Oppose EU Withdrawal (NORA).

65% want EU referendum (mbl).

ENERGY

Rosneft undertakes research expedition while looking for solutions to effects of sanctions

Rosneft undertook the third iteration of an expedition to study Arctic Ocean ice surfaces in order to increase knowledge about how the ice would affect potential future drilling operations. The expedition is expected to last until June (Sputnik). The company continues to be hampered by Western sanctions, however, as it looks for a foreign partner to help it resume operations in the Kara Sea (Reuters). On a more significant note, Rosneft may also have to delay development of an LNG plant on Sakhalin for at least two years due to the sanctions as well as falling energy prices. The plant, originally scheduled to open in 2018, was seen as a Russian gateway to increased LNG demand in Asia (Reuters).

Statoil faces labor cuts, makes Gulf of Mexico find

Falling global oil prices have taken their toll on the Norwegian giant as media reports claim that the company will cut 10% of its personnel in May. A labor representative has stated that administrative personnel and engineering personnel working on drilling activities will be particularly affected (The Local). On a positive note, the company has announced that it discovered oil at the Yeti prospect in the Gulf of Mexico. The extent of the finding is currently under investigation (UPI).

Canada

Low oil prices are not just hurting the Canadian energy sector, but are also beginning to take a toll on the country’s overall economy (CNN).

NWT government releases proposed fracking regulations for territory (NORJ).

Inuvik meeting on fracking yields calls for territory-wide ban (CBC).

Yukon government says yes to fracking in Liard Basin (CBC).

Baffin Inuit org wraps up community consultations on seismic testing (NN).

Downturn could aid LNG (PN).

Norway

As discussed in this week’s top stories, Greenpeace activists staged a protest aboard an Arctic-bound Shell oil rig. A Norwegian oil worker-turned-activist joined the protest and discussed his experiences. (AB, in Norwegian)

Rig employees fear new Statoil cuts (AB, in Norwegian).

Left sharpens claws against oil (AB, in Norwegian).

Ethical problem, economic risk (AB, in Norwegian).

Where does the state end, and where does Statoil begin? (AB, in Norwegian).

Russia

Despite pressure on energy production as a result of Western sanctions, energy minister Alexander Novak has stated that Russian oil exports will increase in 2015. This is due to the diversion of supplies from refineries undergoing modernization (TASS).

Gazprom, Petrovietnam increase cooperation for exploration in Arctic (NGE).

Son of Security Council head takes over Gazprom offshore department (BO).

Deputy PM calls for expanding oil companies’ access to Russian Arctic shelf (Sputnik).

China will not provide much relief to Russia before 2024, says report (NGE).

Russian drillship returns to Arctic (EOTA).

One person killed in fire at Rosneft oil refinery (MT).

Opinion: Russia wants to melt more Arctic sea ice (Forbes).

United States

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has ordered a 45-day review in the state’s participation in the Alaska LNG project as a heated dispute with the state legislature continues (AJOC).

Following up on his January proposal to protect additional areas of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge from drilling activities, U.S. President Barack Obama wrote to Congress this week to formally request that the body provide these areas with a wilderness designation (PN).

Flooding, ice close highway to Alaska’s North Slope oil fields (Reuters).

US leads global oil and gas production for third year (Climate Central).

Alaska lawmakers take shot at state of Washington over Arctic development (HP).

Spanish company pursues North Slope oil field development (NM).

Proposed US waters rule raises hackles (PN).

Eyeing the next technical generation (PN).

Opinion: Exxon chief Rex Tillerson has two years to save his lost legacy (Bloomberg).

Miscellaneous

Is Arctic energy resource development oversold given the costs and complexities of operating in the region? Check out this study for more on the issue.

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Thawing permafrost gradually releases greenhouse gases

An international team of researchers found out that the gases stored in the Arctic and sub-Arctic permafrost would be released gradually over decades as global warming thaws the soil, not abruptly as was assumed until now (AWI). Thestudy was published in Nature last week.

Climate & weather

New book focuses on climate change and Inuit (KNR, in Danish).

Extreme sulphur dioxide pollution over Nikel (BO).

Yukon First Nations takes over Whitehorse air-monitoring site (CBC).

Division of Forestry Stresses Being ‘Firewise’ This Season (APM).

Northern Lights set to decline (mbl).

North Siberian Arctic Permafrost Methane Eruption Vents (Arctic News).

Professor gives a harsh judgment of the current situation of the Arctic Ocean (LK, in Finnish).

Ferromanganese Crusts Record Past Arctic Climate (Reporting Climate Science).

Flora and fauna

Alaska walrus sanctuary will open despite budget cuts (NM).

Mild weather is making bears awake early from hibernation (Siberian Times).

Polar bears have started to eat eggs to survive (NRK, in Norwegian).

Radio collars collect information about the wolves’ life (LK, in Finnish).

Expeditions & research blogs

Ice paradoxes from pole to pole (DW).

Schoolgirl sets off on 112km expedition to ski to the geographical North Pole (Siberian Times).

Environmental management

Environmental projects rewarded with prize (KNR, in Danish).

Sami villages underreport moose-hunt kills in Sweden (AD).

North Slave Métis settle caribou lawsuit with GNWT (NORJ).

Authorities have hope in the decline of reindeer numbers (NRK, in Norwegian).

Komi Decries Largest Killing of Reindeer in Decade (Moscow Times).

National Park Service readies for centennial (AJOC).

University & research news

Research - Open Isaaffik (AJ).

Millions in development planned for Inuvik satellite station (CBC).

National Geographic Society, Russia Discuss New Big Project in Arctic (Sputnik).

University of Alaska Fairbanks readies program cuts (NM).

Alaska Senate OKs $1.5 billion capital budget, drops UAF engineering building (NM).

Russia Direct presents its first-ever ranking of Russian studies programs in US (RBTH).

History & archaeology

Long After Civil War’s End, Rebel Raiders Fought On in Bering Sea (APM).

Oil workers make mammoth find (Siberian Times).

Canadian Archaeologists Prepare to Dive on HMS Erebus (Archaeology).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Russia

United front against Russian threat (mbl).

Russia’s Su -27 fighter jet forced US spy plane to alter course - Defence Ministry (TASS).

Russian Defense Ministry to order batch of ocean-going corvettes soon (TASS).

Russian army to receive more than 130 upgraded MiG-31BM fighters — Defense Ministry (TASS).

Russia’s Defense Ministry ready to welcome US military at security conference in Moscow (TASS).

Russia’s Defense Ministry rejects possibility of collision between trawler and submarine (AIR).

Russian officers inspecting Norway’s Armed Forces (BO).

Russian paratroopers to take dogsled ride in Arctic (Russia & India Report).

Fire-struck nuclear submarine to be repaired (BO).

Russian paratroopers landed near North Pole (BO).

Baltic Fleet Vessels Practice Artillery Firing (Naval Today).

Canada

Canada can hold its own on Arctic defence, Fantino says (OC).

Canada Ought To Modernise Missile Sensors In Arctic Versus Russia, Terrorist Organisations, Other Extremists: US Military (IBT).

U.S. military to ask Canada for new missile sensors in the Arctic (Macleans).

Europe

“Security situation in the Nordic countries significantly worsened” (BO).

Survey: More than half of reservists in Finland pro-Nato (BO).

Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat (BO).

NATO airspace patrols resume (mbl).

MINING

Long-term success vs. short-term survival in Nunavut

The CEO of Aginco Eagle Mines is confident that Nunavut has vast mineral potential in the long-term, but believes that potential isn’t being reached because small mining firms are more concerned about short-term survival (NN).

Plans were revealed for a large-scale rare earth mineral project in the far north of Russia’s Sakha Republic, over 50 years after the deposit was initially discovered (ST).

The president of the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association believes that reality TV shows are ruining the reputation of Yukon miners by depicting them flouting regulations (YN).

Fort Knox’s new plan: Mine begins winding down in 2017, near prospects may extend life (PN).

News Nuggets: Fish committee moves Bristol Bay bill (PN).

News Nuggets: Higher grades, more gold at Kensington (PN).

News Nuggets: Goldrich completes modest financing (PN).

Mining News: Northern Empire lays claim to Richardson (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Junior borrows funds to build Gahcho Kué (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Seabridge raises C$16.73M for KSM (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Imperial Metals chalks a loss for 2014 (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Pretium, Nisga’a ink Brucejack treaty (PN).

GOLD-TUNGSTEN: Mega Precious defining high grade mineralization at Monument Bay (CMJ).

COMMENT: Underground, wash plant fires underline need for increased safety vigilance (CMJ).

GOLD-COPPER: Seabridge raises $16.4M for exploration at KSM (CMJ).

URANIUM: Fission expands R780E zone, hits 14% U3O8 over 3.5 metres (CMJ).

Citizen Group Seeks Water Rights in Proposed Mining Area (APM).

Minister sides with company over Diavik oversight funding dispute (NORJ).

Orex welcomes Agnico to Barsele in Sweden (CMJ).

NunaMinerals have continued to weather (KNR, in Danish).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Arctic yacht race, anyone?

Apparently, enough Arctic sea ice melted to organize a yacht race from New York to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The race is planned for fall 2017 and is calledSailing The Arctic Race (STAR). All competitors will sail on specially designed yachts made from volcanic fibre (EOTA).

Increase in shipping losses in the Arctic

TheSafety and Shipping Review 2015 by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty indicates that contrary to the global downward trend, shipping losses in the Arctic increased. In 2014, 55 shipping casualties were recorded in waters above the Arctic Circle. Considering the expansion of Arctic shipping, this is not surprising. It nevertheless points to the need for increased attention to safety and a continuous update and improvement of the Polar Code, which was introduced last year (NN).

Fisheries

Villages Seek Yukon, Kuskokwim Salmon Management Change (AMP).

NPFMC Addresses Chinook Bycatch (APM).

Personal use priority bill stirs reaction among public (AJOC).

FISH FACTOR: 2015 salmon overload, petition for Chuitna salmon rights (AJOC).

Banks seek to expand portfolios in stable fishing industry (AJOC).

Lower salmon prices may mean more markets (AJOC).

Structural Reform Of Norwegian Fisheries Directorate Proposed (NORA).

Research - Institutional challenges for effective governance of consumptive wildlife tourism: case studies of marine angling tourism in Iceland and Norway (Maritime Studies).

Shipping

The nuclear submarine Oryol, which is currently being repaired at Zvezdochka shipyard 620 miles north of Moscow, caught fire last week on April 7. There were no substantial damages and no injuries (MT,AD).

No ahoy in Murmansk Port (BO).

Pond Inlet mayor says residents share fears about Baffinland shipping (CBC).

WWF Asks Canada to Help Free Icebound Barge in Russia Over Fuel Leak Risk (Sputnik).

Lockheed Martin Canada receives subcontract from Irving for Arctic ships (Naval Technology).

Other business and economic news

U.S. & Canada

Beaver Creek lodge owners protest shut-down order (YN).

Rural Subsistence Hunters No Longer Need Federal Duck Stamps (APM).

BDIC celebrates decade of building NWT businesses (NORJ).

Russia

Russian ruble is rebounding, will border traffic boost? (BO)

Danish global pharmaceuticals giant opens insulin production facility in Russia (TASS).

Russian celebrities ask Putin to help $18mn 'patriotic fast-food' rival to McDonald's – media (RT).

Ruble 'miracle' pushes 2015 gains to 15% (RT).

Did you just miss your chance to get ruble-rich? Quite possibly (RT).

World Bank warns of looming two-year recession in Russia (RBTH).

Nordics

Norway’s new bank notes on display in Murmansk (BO).

SGS (Icelandic Professional Trade Association) next to strike? (mbl)

Greenland-Iran Trade Back On The Table (NORA).

Green light for Aluu Airlines and Greenland Express Group (KNR, in Danish).

HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Arctic Man cancelled due to poor weather

The Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic--an extreme sports event that features a 5.5-mile race involving skiers towed waterski-style by snowmobiles--was cancelled last weekend due to poor weather and visibility (NM). After being delayed 24 hours, the race was called off mid-race for the first time in the event’s 30-year history (ADN). The event was cancelled one other time, in 2001, but in that instance the festival never got underway. Arctic Man typically attracts 10,000-15,000 spectators to the Hoodoo Mountains near Paxson, Alaska (APM).

Western Greenland town suffers from rare genetic disease

The western Greenland town of Uummannaq is suffering from high rates of a rare genetic disease called CADASIL syndrome (AJ). Researchers suspect that 50-100 people in the town have the hereditary disorder, which causes migraines, strokes, and dementia and typically presents itself in individuals around 50 years old. Local doctors are pushing for increased funding to carry out testing programs and better pre-natal screening.

Health

Life expectancy in Norway increased from 2013 to 2014 by roughly 0.5 years for women and 0.4 years for men (The Nordic Page).

House Finance digs into details of Medicaid expansion (AJOC).

Lawmakers Discuss Medicaid Expansion, Meaning Of ‘Payment Reform’ (APM).

Delays at Alaska VA facilities are shorter than US average (AJOC).

Alaska lawmakers discuss right-to-die legislation (AJOC).

Fort Smith social worker wins national award for care (NORJ).

24 suspected cases of rickets in Nunavut in 2012 (CBC).

Inuit treatment centre in Ottawa adapting, refocusing to stay afloat (NN).

Psychiatric disorders have become less taboo (KNR, in Danish).

New Figures Show Muscovites Live Longer Than Other Russians (MT).

Youth

Juneau Schools Replace Controversial Texts With Book By First Nations Writer (APM).

Education Tops List Of Contentious Cuts (APM).

Funding Cut To Kivalina School Could Pose Legal Problem For Legislature (APM).

Changing enrollment to increase total number of Nunavut teachers next year (NN).

Listening for More (Hi)Stories from the Arctic’s Dispersed and Diverse Educational Past (Historical Studies in Education).

Yukon health minister grilled over lack of mental health strategy (CBC).

First Nations languages explored in global study on mother tongues (CBC).

Pinwheels planted to highlight child abuse prevention in Soldotna (NM).

Putin: Education Should Inspire Patriotic Fervor in Young Russians (MT).

Society

This long-form narrative article, “What It Really Means to Eat a Big Mac at the Arctic Circle”, examines the role of McDonald’s Arctic Alaska (Eater).

Juneau Prison Deals With Overcrowding By Housing Women In A Tent (APM).

Indigenous people twice as likely to be victims of crime: Winnipeg police (APTN).

Yukon man happy video of RCMP officer hitting him has gone viral (APTN).

Is There Such a Thing as Norwegian Drinking Culture? (The Nordic Page).

Half of Russians say political, economic position of their country mediocre - poll (Russia List).

When Russia declared war on Greenpeace (Independent).

Culture

Tlingit Language To Be Officially Recognized In Federal Maps Database (APM).

Writer explores 'Life on the Ice’ (Poughkeepsie Journal).

Rie Muñoz Leaves A Legacy Of Delight, Joy And Laughter (APM).

ReMatriate wants to take back 'visual identity' of First Nations (CBC).

Yukon First Nations hope display can bring healing (CBC).