
President Donald Trump says he is issuing a presidential permit for what’s known as the A2A cross-border rail between Alaska and Canada.
“Based on the strong recommendation of @SenDanSullivan and @repdonyoung of the Great State of Alaska, it is my honor to inform you that I will be issuing a Presidential Permit…” he wrote on Twitter, ignoring Sen. Lisa Murkowski. “Congratulations to the people of Alaska & Canada!”
Sources say Congressman Young has been dogged in his pursuit of the rail line permit, calling the President’s chief of staff on numerous occasions to get the White House’s attention to advance the project, which requires presidential permission in order to cross a border.
Sen. Sullivan spoke with the president in the hours leading up to the announcement, according to MRAK sources.
The A2A line is a private project that has been in the works for years to build a new railway connecting the Alaska Railroad, and Alaska’s tidewater deep port in Anchorage, to northern Alberta, where oil is trapped and unable to get to market.
The project is 1,600 miles long. From there, rail connections link Alaska to the rest of North America. Among those instrumental in working the project hurdles are Alaska’s delegation in Washington, D.C., Gov. Mike Dunleavy, and former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, who serves as vice chair of the project at A2A.
More than $60 million has already been committed to the project that will move Alberta oil to the Port of Alaska and global markets beyond. Currently, other ports on the West Coast are in places where the politics are not supportive of such a project that involves resource development.
But with Alaska’s pro-jobs governor and team in Washington, the $17 billion project could come to fruition.
The company has an agreement with the Alaska Railroad Corporation to create a joint operating plan to upgrade and extend the Alaska Railroad mainline between Seward to North Pole.
“It’s basically a large civil construction project that would include a rail corridor of about 500 feet wide across a route that is relatively straight and relatively flat,” Treadwell told a reporter in 2019.
In addition to moving Canadian oil to tidewater on the West Coast, the rail line can also move minerals.
The A2A would come through the Yukon Territory and Fort Nelson, British Columbia, connecting in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
The project envisions a single steel rail line with sidings so trains can travel in both directions. It would require switching yards, water and wastewater facilities, power lines and fiber optic cable. Of the $17 billion construction budget, $14 billion would be spent in Canada. The remaining $3 billion to be spent in Alaska eclipses numerous years of Alaska’s meager capital budgets, which have been in the low hundreds of millions each year.
Numerous regulatory and permitting hurdles remain. Once construction starts, it’s expected to take over three years to complete.
Rando / September 25, 2020
Wow. Now that would be amazing to see completed.
Perhaps they would slip in a passenger run at some point.
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dave / September 26, 2020
That would be my question too. This could provide an alternative way for people (passenger service) to tour Alaska, Yukon, BC as well as another option for Alaskans who want to travel outside as long as it was not too expensive.
The one downside would be the new route’s exposure to Canadian regulation. as far as oil transportation goes. Right now there is a fair (maybe more than fair!) amount of turmoil in Canada between oil patch friendly provinces in the west & the liberal federal government/provinces. And we see it’s potential as well in the travel restrictions due to Covid imposed on ground travel from/to Alaska thru Canada.
Just something to consider.
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M. J. D. / October 12, 2020
And USPS ground mail shipping…..
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james / September 26, 2020
Can a passenger travel from the US to Alaska using this railway or its only for oil and mineral?
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William J Soucoup / September 28, 2020
James, the line starts in northern Alberta. It doesn’t go the the US/Canada border at the lower 48 States.
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Rob / September 26, 2020
The rail link would be a boon for interior Alaska. It won’t ever get permission to move oil products from Canada to Alaskan ports and rightly so. Oil is not a product that has a future and is far too environmentally damaging to justify transporting across mostly pristine terrain. Its use as a fuel is destroying the biosphere, time to quit the addiction not enable it.
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AKFireFlower / September 26, 2020
China puts 20 million new cars on the road a year. Factor in India, Russia, etc and oil isn’t going anywhere for a long time. There’s a whole world out there not just the little bubble you live in.
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Rob / September 27, 2020
I’m happily successfully retired after a long professional science and engineering career. I probably know more about this field and topic than you will ever grasp. As to the bubble, I have lived and worked on every inhabited continent and been to more than 95 countries. Have you ever left the town you were born in? I probably still travel, prior to COVID, more internationally in a year than you have in a lifetime. So let’s compare bubbles.
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AKFireFlower / September 27, 2020
I don’t believe you.
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Rob / September 27, 2020
Do so at your peril.
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AKFireFlower / September 27, 2020
I have read some real whoppers of a resume before but yours is definitely the most fantastical.
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Raymon / September 27, 2020
So, Rob, when you travel all over the world, do you travel on a sailing ship or do drive a car to the airport and get on an airplane?
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M. J. D. / October 12, 2020
Wow …. all that bubble size and girth and all without the the need for petroleum products.
Spectacular
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Art Chance / September 26, 2020
Another product of recent public education heard from. The stupid is strong in you.
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Rob / September 27, 2020
I’m happily successfully retired after a long professional science and engineering career. I probably know more about this field and topic than you will ever grasp. As to the bubble, I have lived and worked on every inhabited continent and been to more than 95 countries. Have you ever left the town you were born in? I probably still travel, prior to COVID, more internationally in a year than you have in a lifetime. So let’s compare bubbles, experience, and education.
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Kingsley / September 27, 2020
You worked for, let me geuss…
The government? BTW, since you are so smart, explain what is out there that will replace air travel for amount of energy consumed per seat mile. And yes it’s OIL
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Canadian Reader / September 27, 2020
Rob is SO 70’s environmentally wacko. Silly arguments persist with ignorant, brain-washed Democrats.
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Rob / September 27, 2020
I am ISO14001 certified and a registered Geologist and Engineer and internationally registered to work in applied science. Do you even have a GED?
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M. J. D. / October 12, 2020
And Barry Santos received a Nobel Peace Prize…….
Those who can’t, talk about it.
And those who can, don’t need to.
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Pam / September 26, 2020
Alberta’s oil sands are cleaning up a spill that happened around the era of the dinosaurs. It is returning the land to pristine condition it has never seen in human history!
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Rob / September 27, 2020
Complete gibberish and ignorance.
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Leon Reed / September 26, 2020
Oil doesn’t have a future?
Look around you, bet you see little that isn’t made from a hole in the ground.
You first!! Stop driving your vehicle and make a statement and lead by example. Buy a Electric car … Oops made from a hole in the ground. And battery charged by a generation system that once again runs from oil
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Rob / September 27, 2020
Oil has no future as an energy resource. Its future is as a chemical feedstock for plastic, composites, medicines, and fertilizers. The ICE is dead. Europe has already stopped production of some lines and the rest will be done by 2014. Only electric and hydrogen will be available from 2025 along with efficient and clean public transport. Battery regeneration does not require fossil fuels.
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Marlin Savage / September 28, 2020
Rather difficult to mine the components without fossil fuels,,,,,
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Rob / September 28, 2020
Not true at all, get current and join the 21st century.
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AKFireFlower / September 28, 2020
Robert Hansen, is that you?!!
HAHAHA Thanks for giving us all a great laugh by perpetuating the violent and insane liberal stereotype.
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Patrick / October 4, 2020
Rob: Like it or not sir, oil is the #1 product sold world wide followed by gold and then coffee. This might differ from your sense that it would be solar, wind and garden fresh vegetables, but it’s true! ??♂️
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M. J. D. / October 12, 2020
Can’t control this narrative.
It’s happening! And it’s gonna be uge
The main purpose is oils sands product to tide water sir.
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Steve / October 16, 2020
??
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JP / September 26, 2020
4 more years !!
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Whidbey Thedog / September 26, 2020
If anyone has a link to the economic evaluation for this project, please post it. Thanks.
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AKFireFlower / September 26, 2020
Do it yourself.
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Del / September 26, 2020
a2arail.com/
g7grailway.com/
Two huge proposals but very similar. A2A claims to have basic financing agreements and G7G also has its act together. This could be a huge step for WEXIT, and I would dare Trudeau to stick his little dinky in the mix. I can see the pissy little jerk stomp his tiny feet and make little fisties and threaten to hold his breath if this proceeds.
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Marlin Savage / September 26, 2020
Very cool that he ignored the democrat senator lies a lot……………………….
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Robert Schenker / September 26, 2020
This announcement from Trump will surely help Sullivan who is locked in a re-election struggle against “Real Alaskan” , bear killing, cojones sporting, Al Gross. Sullivan , originally from Ohio is a mild mannered fellow whose resume despite graduating Marine Corp PLC cannot rival “Real Alaskan “, Al Gross in the cojones department.
Young’s opponent, Ms. Galvin might very well confuse Tranny with Trains?
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agimarc / September 26, 2020
Infrastructure in AK. Who knew? What a great idea, as any more is better than what we have today. Cheers –
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Mongo Like Candy / September 26, 2020
HUGE! Bigger deal than any stupid gas line to no where! Could really open up Pt McKenzie as an international port.
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Leo americus / September 27, 2020
Sorry mongo this pipe dream ends in Seward.
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Denali / September 28, 2020
Leo, I guess you missed the large project that has been completed with rail beds built in the mat su, which all lead to port Mack. All that’s left to be done is installation of ties, rails and switches. This all occurred roughly 8-9 years ago.
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leo americus / September 29, 2020
Why reach an agreement with the Alaska Railroad to extend the mainline to Seward? The railbed is failing in places already and will go down as a waste of money.
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Kenaimike / September 26, 2020
MA/AGA!
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Making America/Alaska Great Again!
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erak / September 26, 2020
Wow, what a week for 2 Alaska mega-projects. The junior varsity leadership at Pebble shot a big hole in their own boat. Again. Wait there’s more: they gave the Leftists ammunition to flip a US Senate seat, which could flip the US Senate. With friends like Pebble, we don’t need enemies. From now on they should be required to wear orange safety vests advising us to stand clear.
A rail connection to tidewater and the L48 rail network would be transformative for our economy. With one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, unlimited land and a marine-rail terminal 500 miles closer than Prince Rupert (currently the closest port to major Asian markets), the upside is unlimited.
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Johnnie Greene / September 26, 2020
Finally! This project is right up there with the Alcan Hiway and the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Trump. Sullivan. Young. Economic progressives. They all get my votes.
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Pepe_Trump_2020 / September 26, 2020
The Democrats will hate this and the dreaded 4 letter word that comes with it:
JOBS
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Rob / September 26, 2020
Stupid comment by an ignoramus. As of January 2020, the last 53 years Presidency held 31 years by Rs and 22 by Ds.
Stock market returns: R = 109% (82%)* D = 992%
Jobs created: R = 24 M (9M)* D = 42 M
Income growth: R = 0.6% (-1.6%)* D = 2.2%
GDP: R = 2.7% (-17.4%* D = 4.1% Trump = 2.1% (-14.7%)* BO = 3.2% *May 2020
Liar-in-chief’s economy stinks worst ever recorded in US history after being handed the best.
Businesses closed >100k
Q2 GDP -42.7%
Retail sales -16.4%
Factory output -13.7%
Industrial output -11.2%
Unemployment filings >36.5 million
Unemployment 16.7%
40% households earning less than $40K have lost a job
42% of lost jobs will be permanent
Homeless set to rise 45%
Oil production down 10.7 million barrels –
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Naomi / September 27, 2020
Rob, did you actually get past 7th grade?
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Rob / September 27, 2020
You will hopefully learn some statistics if you ever reach the 7th grade.
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MHart / September 27, 2020
Great work Rob! I’ve been a patriotic, flag waving, MAGA Trump supporter from day one, but your posts have convinced me that being a Black Live Matters, building burning, cop hating liberal is the true path. Keep up the good work. Your waste of time here is well spent.
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Kingsley / September 27, 2020
Rob, oil production down? Really? Where? BTW, statistics don’t lie but idiots like you try to use them in your lies.
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Rob / September 27, 2020
Have you not kept up to date with all the fracking companies that have gone bankrupt pulling a Trump Casino ploy?
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Kingsley / September 28, 2020
Rod, its called the Oil Industry, besides political manipulation the market is heavily influenced by a thing called supply and demand. Surely in your vast experience you have noticed this phenomenon. But thank you for sharing your belief system with us.
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AKFireFlower / September 27, 2020
Nice try Rob but still all lies.
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Steve Stine / September 26, 2020
The reason that “oil is trapped and unable to get to market” is because Canada is smart and banned all oil tankers from their ports in B.C. because they did not want an “Exxon Valdez” to destroy their valuable fisheries and wildlife.
Alaska is becoming the end of the road in more ways than one and the thought of shipping extremely flammable Bitumen through the pristine river valleys of AK has disaster written all over it.
Do some google searches for yourself “Bitumen tanker cars explode” and you will see what our current leadership wishes to bring to our great state.
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Wilber Force / September 26, 2020
” banned all oil tankers from their ports in B.C.”
Is Vancouver a port in B.C.?
Oil is shipped out of that port… thus your assertion is false.
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Mike / September 26, 2020
‘Hear-Hear’ people of Alaska! It’s not much but a firm positive step towards growth, sorely needed.
Should we not dwell on diatribes of ’empathy’ and vitriol but revive our fundamental supply of health and happiness through ideas, productivity and commerce?
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Anchor Point / September 26, 2020
It is referred to as “a private project”… that means not taxpayer funded, right?
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Steve Cochran / September 26, 2020
Railroads historically have paid their own way from initial investment and acquisition to maintenance and up keep while remaining an economically efficient means of moving goods.
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Alaska First. / September 26, 2020
A friend who has worked at the ARR for almost 27 years said that this A2A project got a big boost when Mead Treadwell. He not only has solid connections with the key government officials (Trump, Young, our two senators and Dunleavy), could explain brilliantly why the new railroad would be great for America and Alaska, but he also invested $25 million in the project. I’m sure he’ll earn a lot more when this deal is done, but Mead’s Way to smart to put this much of his own money on the line if he didn’t believe it would be done soon and done successfully. I predict the first trains will be delivering product to our port in 2023 or 2024.
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DaveFromSpenard / September 26, 2020
Don’t recall the route from Fort Nelson to Alaska tide water being all that flat.
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Steve Cochran / September 26, 2020
Long overdue!
I find it hilarious the President snubbed the spoiled brat.
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John B / September 26, 2020
Will there be any Passenger Rail service from the lower 48 up to Alaska, via Canada?
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r.wagner / September 26, 2020
I detest the words Human Resources to describe people or personnel until now : ..”rail line to move resources!” Now all we have to do is demand this will include moving Human Resources. I envision luxury cars owned by private entrepreneurs to facilitate a Business Class way to travel with many side trips available.
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Del / September 26, 2020
This will be able to connect the massive Liard River / Mckenzie River and NE British Columbia gas fields. Plusses everywhere we look. If the Western Canadian Provinces work together and make some sort of agreement with the Southern 48, America could stretch from Alaska to Mexico. It would create the world’s most powerful economy, a world leader in free speech and democracy.
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Andy Brooks / September 27, 2020
Trudeau will stomp all over this and apply his gender analysis, whatever that means, to the project. He won’t like it because it benefits the west and goes to Alaska who don’t have the same buzz are rules and endless regulations. Tankers banned on the west coast but run rampant in the east. You see clearly JT won’t like it. Gives a little more independence for the west. Private investment and creates jobs. He won’t want that either.
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Morrigan / September 27, 2020
One hopes passenger trains will be frequent, regular users of the railroad line.
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Almost any alternative to Alaska Airlines seems preferable at this time.
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larry costella / September 27, 2020
I hope I’m around with Trump to see this fabulous project finished. I’d use it at least twice a winter. Plus we’ll have a means to haul our vehicles onboard and a club car with sleeping quarters. All aboard! Thanks Don Young and Dan Sullivan.
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larry costella / September 27, 2020
Thanks for your hard work on this Don. larry costella
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Kingsley / September 28, 2020
Rod, its called the Oil Industry, besides political manipulation the market is heavily influenced by a thing called supply and demand. Surely in your vast experience you have noticed this phenomenon. But thank you for sharing your belief system with us.
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Robert Rubey / September 28, 2020
I find this ludicrous unless there is going to be significant improvement to the Anchorage port. And the Anchorage Port missed it’s chance when it blew through billions and got NOWHERE. Plus, this is potentially a Yucca Mountain scenario, where a project was built for a specific purpose, only to have the purpose contested once the project was completed. I am all for railroads, especially one that would go WEST in Alaska to support mineral exploration in Alaska and promote the opening of more of Alaska for settlement.
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Mary Joan Aylward / September 28, 2020
In 2017 the municipalities in Northwest Alberta hosted a full-day symposium in High Level, Alberta called North to Alaska in which the Governor of Alaska sent representatives. Alaska to Alberta (aka A2A … in Alberta we called it Alberta to Alaska) was a presenter and so was the G7G (Generating for Seven Generations). Both of these advocacy groups have merits with differing strengths; but collectively, the A2A, the G7G, and the Northwest Alberta municipalities (collectively called the Northern Transportation Advocacy Bureau – NTAB) have achieved the recognition and notice of the President of the United States and our local politicians! That is a victory and absolutely necessary before anything could be built. Congrats to all the people involved in these initiatives for their unwavering promotion of the vision of a railway linking Alberta and Alaska. Railways, historically build nations … this will be nation building for Canada’s Northwest!! Job well done!!!
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