Lawmakers meet privately, pledge confidentiality on LNG project
Alaska lawmakers, legislative staff and gas line consultants attended private meetings and signed confidentiality agreements about the Alaska Liquid Natural Gas project. Alaska Dispatch News reports the private meetings were held Friday and lasted more than two hours.
The project to build an LNG pipeline could cost more than $65 billion. Selling the state's reserves of natural gas is considered crucial for an oil-dependent state facing towering deficits. The project includes partnerships between the state, pipeline builder TransCanada and oil giants ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and BP. Outgoing Gov. Sean Parnell had launched the Alaska LNG project
The meetings came just days before Gov.-elect Bill Walker is to be sworn into office. The swearing-in is today (Dec. 1, 2014) at noon. In total, 40 people signed the confidentiality agreements, including 20 of the state's 60 lawmakers.
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Longer life expectancy increases risk of dementia
By Joaqlin Estus
Among those who study aging, it's well established that certain behaviors contribute to longer life expectancy - avoid tobacco use, exercise, keep a healthy weight. Life expectancy is also linked to higher incomes, more years of education and access to medical care. Recent studies show that people may live longer, but, for some, that means more years living with dementia.
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Landowners sue state for burning trees, brush during Railbelt Complex wildfires
The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that a group of landowners in Interior Alaska may be eligible for compensation after suing the state for burning their properties. The landowners' claim dates back to 2010 when they sued after their land was burned during the Railbelt Complex wildfires in 2009. A jury must now decide whether the burnout fire was necessary to fight an imminent emergency.