Shungnak

“In the lower 48, there's a common saying, ‘it takes a village,’” Woods said. “But no other athlete had to grow up the way I grew up. They don't know what it's like to be out at 40-below and chase caribou.”

Edwin Bifelt said even with state support, energy in rural Alaska remains pricey.“Even with Power Cost Equalization, people see rates anywhere from 20 cents up to 40 to 50 cents a kilowatt-hour, which is four or five times the national average,” Bifelt said.

DEC officials say one potential area of risk is the Kobuk River, which is about 160 feet away from the extent of the spill.