Pitney talks nuclear energy, minerals, and drone education programs during Southeast Conference

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – University of Alaska Interim President addressed the Southeast Conference mid-session summit Tuesday.

Pitney said of their budget situation.

“This year, for the first year in nine years, we are starting with a small operating budget increase put in by the governor. We also are focused on a few very targeted workforce and economic development area requests. One is in the health arena which is huge. The other one is in strategic mining and minerals. We put in a request for mariculture funding, also alternative energy.”

The mention of alternative energy spurred a question from Connie Hulbert, the president, and general manager of Alaska Electric Light and Power in Juneau, on exactly what the university is pursuing.

“One aspect is looking at the small nuclear microreactors and their viability in the state. And so these…