Policy

The Arctic Council Secretariat at the Fram Centre in Tromsø is looking to appoint a new director, following its role in providing administrative, organizational and communications support to council activities.

Kola NPP‑2 on Russia’s Kola Peninsula has been granted a construction licence for its first reactor units, advancing the plant’s development in the Arctic.

The Russian State Duma is set to approve tax breaks and funding measures aimed at boosting investment in the Russian Arctic and Far East regions.

Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee asked the Trump administration to explain its fast‑tracked pro‑oil rule that would allow development on 23 million acres of Alaska’s western Arctic public land.

China has joined Western sanctions by refusing to provide Russia with technology needed for arctic‑class ships, limiting its ability to build new vessels for Arctic operations.

A two‑day Stockholm conference saw military, government and industry leaders intensify focus on Arctic security, sovereignty and the emerging space domain, stressing urgent need for resilient systems and faster procurement amid climate change and Russian maritime claims.

Brett Huber argues that Alaska’s 35 trillion cubic‑foot of stranded natural gas should not remain valueless; by reforming the property‑tax regime with a bill modeled after HB 381, the state could unlock the resource, attract investment and generate over $21 billion for Alaskans.

Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) secured leases for 368,000 acres in ANWR’s 1002 Area at $16.5 million and is funding seismic studies, aiming to develop a field that could hold up to 16 billion barrels of oil—an effort that may substantially increase state revenue under a production‑sharing agreement.

Sen. Dan Sullivan secured a fuel waiver from the EPA to roll back regulations, cutting diesel prices on Alaska’s North Slope.

Patrick Scott, who died at 77 on July 15, 2026, had become a leading advocate for Indigenous rights after covering the Berger Inquiry in the North. He helped negotiate the Thaidene Nëné protected‑area agreement and Dehcho First Nations’ self‑government deal, leaving a legacy of community leadership and storytelling.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency fuel waiver that permits the use of higher‑sulfur diesel by older engines operating inside the Arctic Circle, allowing continued operation of existing equipment without immediate compliance with stricter fuel standards.

The briefing argues that regulating polar fuels is required because the Arctic high‑temperature fuel oil ban does not eliminate use of all residual fuels, leaving significant black‑carbon emissions unaddressed.

The GNWT and Canada Water Agency signed a non-binding two-year memorandum to strengthen collaboration on northern waters, aiming to improve data sharing, research, and stewardship of the Mackenzie River Basin while integrating Indigenous knowledge and science-based decision-making. The agreement underscores the role of Indigenous knowledge in guiding policy and aims to enhance water quality monitoring.

Senators Huffman and Heinrich are seeking answers from the Trump administration on a federal proposal that would fast‑track oil drilling in Alaska’s Western Arctic by removing key environmental protections.

Alaska’s four‑year brown‑bear cull around the Mulchatna caribou herd has gained support from local subsistence hunters who say it protects their food supplies.

China has halted the supply of specialized propulsion and steering parts for Russian Arctic‑class vessels, effectively joining Western sanctions against Russia.

Satellite imagery shows Russia has expanded its Arctic network with LNG terminals, air bases, a 42‑vessel icebreaker fleet—including nuclear power—and active military installations, while the U.S. maintains only a single heavy icebreaker and sparse foothold, prompting Washington to boost construction of new icebreakers.

Danish shipyard maintains Russia’s €4 bn gas tankers used for Arctic LNG exports, sparking anger among EU politicians worried about ongoing Russian LNG supplies to Europe.

Greek opposition has halted the European Union’s 21st‑round sanctions against Russia because it would force Dynagas to sell its four Arc7 icebreakers—specialized for Arctic transit—to non‑Western buyers, thereby stripping EU oversight while still permitting Russian LNG exports.

Canada has selected an Australian Over‑the‑Horizon Radar system to extend Arctic monitoring beyond line‑of‑sight limits, boosting regional security observation capabilities.

The Alaska House rejected a multibillion‑dollar tax break that Glenfarne LLC said was needed to finance its proposed trans‑Alaska natural gas pipeline, after Governor Mike Dunleavy threatened veto of the bill.