Info on Clean Water Priced Like Gold in Alaska

"When an environmental group, Alaskans for Clean Water, asked for copies of state records about an unsuccessful ballot proposal to limit mining pollution, officials initially said they would turn over the documents — for $50,000," the Associated Press reported October 20, 2008.

After protests, Alaska eventually dropped the price to $7,147. The AP and several other news organizations are seeking the same documents, and have agreed to split the $7,147 cost to obtain them.

Alaska's open records law gives the state the option of waiving fees, but does not require fee waiver for news organizations.

• "Public Records Are No Bargain in Cash-Rich Alaska," Associated Press, October 20, 2008, unbylined.
• "Palin Pledges of Alaska Sunshine Marred by Secrets," Associated Press, October 21, 2008, by Rita Beamish.
• "Want Palin's E-Mails? That'll Be $15 Million," MSNBC, October 17, 2008, by Bill Dedman.