By MIA COSTELLO
For decades, Alaskans have heard about gasline projects that never materialized. But this time is different. As the president of Glenfarne Alaska LNG shared at a recent Alaska Gasline Caucus meeting, 90% of the right-of-ways are secured and permits are in place. Alaska’s natural gas on the North Slope is not tied to a specific price index, giving LNG producers flexibility to sell at a fixed price or link to global oil indices. This adaptability, combined with our existing pipeline infrastructure and strategic geographic position—saving two weeks in transportation time—positions Alaska as a competitive player in the global energy market. Add to this the strong support from the current federal administration, which is actively championing this project, and the stars are aligning for success.
Time to Prepare
The gasline is no longer a distant dream. It is real, it is advancing, and we need to prepare.
With the project approaching its final investment decision—a critical milestone that will greenlight construction—this is further along than any gas line project in Alaska’s history, and the implications are staggering.
As co-founder of the bipartisan, bicameral Alaska Gasline Caucus, alongside Rep. George Rauscher, I am energized by the progress we have seen and the momentum building around this project. The gasline will touch every corner of our state, impacting every state department and community. From infrastructure and transportation to education and housing, the ripple effects will be profound. The project is expected to bring thousands of jobs, many of which can and should go to Alaskans. To ensure this, we must prioritize workforce development and prepare our residents—especially our young people—for the skilled positions this project will demand.
At the caucus, we heard from leadership at the University of Alaska, including the vice chancellor of UAF, the chancellor of UAA, and deans from community and technical colleges. They outlined the opportunities and challenges ahead, emphasizing the need to expand training programs to meet the demands of this project. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, along with the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, also shared their efforts to ready our workforce. But with university programs already at capacity, we face a clear challenge: we must scale up our training infrastructure to ensure Alaskans are equipped for these high-demand roles.
Practical Solutions
One potential solution is the Power Alaska’s Workforce Tax Credit Act, which I sponsored to encourage private sector funding for career and technical education infrastructure, instruction and student housing to expand training opportunities more efficiently than through public funding alone, providing students access to facilities not otherwise available.
The bill, House Bill 219, allows private industry to claim a credit against state taxes equal to qualifying expenditures related to workforce training. Qualifying expenditures include constructing or maintaining CTE fabrication labs, constructing or maintaining CTE infrastructure, administering CTE programs, paying instructors or staff, developing CTE curriculum, and building or maintaining housing/dormitories for CTE students.
At a recent contractor’s fair hosted by Glenfarne, over 200 participants showcased a depth of talent and experience in our state. By prioritizing Alaska businesses for contracts, we can keep the economic benefits local, supporting communities from Anchorage to the smallest villages.
As Department of Labor Commissioner Cathy Munoz noted, a state apprenticeship program could streamline workforce development, bypassing federal red tape. These are the kinds of practical solutions the Legislature must explore in partnership with the Dunleavy administration.
It Takes All of Us
When the trans-Alaska oil pipeline was built, it transformed our state, sparking economic growth that touched every community. The gasline has the potential to do the same, but only if we act now to prepare. This is a chance to pivot from being a high-cost energy state to a global energy leader. It’s a chance to create lasting opportunities for our youth, strengthen our businesses and secure Alaska’s economic future.
Let’s not let this moment pass us by. It is time for all of us—legislators, educators, businesses and communities—to come together and make it a success. Stay tuned for updates as the Gasline Caucus continues its work, and let’s seize this opportunity to build a stronger, more prosperous Alaska.
Rep. Mia Costello is the House Minority Leader and represents District 15-Anchorage.
A gas pipeline, the economics notwithstanding, will face all the environmental zealotry as did the TAPS. It does not matter that all the doom and gloom predictions of threats to wildlife because of TAPS never happened, the same dire predictions will get rolled out again by the environmentalists. It is good to remember that TAPS was a tie vote in the Senate only passing when Spiro Agnew cast the deciding vote. We can expect similar opposition to a gas pipeline.
Mia, you going to backstab the Republicans on this one, too???