Government Issues Official Whale-Bothering License For Gas Project
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 2026, 8 Star Alaska can carry out the Alaska LNG project in Cook Inlet for five years, with rules to protect local marine mammals. The project may accidentally affect these animals, but strict monitoring and limits will keep harm as low as possible. This plan balances energy development with wildlife safety and runs through the end of 2030.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Five-year authorization for Alaska LNG work
8 Star Alaska is authorized to carry out construction activities for the Alaska LNG Project in Cook Inlet from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030. In-water work is limited to the ice-free window (approximately April 1 through October 31 each year); pile driving is estimated to occur on about 323 nonconsecutive days and anchor-handling tug (AHT) use is estimated for about 55 nonconsecutive days (378 construction days total).
Required monitoring and sound testing rules
The rule requires on-site monitoring and sound-source verification (SSV): a minimum of three protected species observers (PSOs) during concurrent pile driving, SSV measurements at the start of pile driving at each location, monitoring of a minimum of two piles of each size/type/installation method with and without sound attenuation, and reporting of transmission loss values. If a sound attenuation device (e.g., bubble curtain) achieves at least a 2 dB source reduction in the near- or far-field, its use is required during impact pile driving.
Seasonal and timing limits on pile driving
The rule bans pile driving associated with the Mainline Marine Terminal Material Offloading Facility (MOF) from June 1 through September 7 and requires pile driving to occur during daylight hours; in-water construction work is constrained to about April 1–October 31 each year. Pipelaying may occur 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while pile driving is estimated to occur 6 days per week during daylight hours.
Beluga protections and subsistence findings
NMFS authorizes only incidental take (Level B harassment for 12 species; Level A harassment for a subset of 3 species) and determined the authorized taking will have a negligible impact on Cook Inlet beluga whales and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on availability of affected species for subsistence uses. The rule includes mitigation such as shutdown zones, seasonal restrictions, and vessel transit restrictions to protect beluga whales.
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