The Bureau of Land Management has appointed Kevin Pendergast as the new director of its Alaska State office, placing a seasoned expert at the helm of managing more than 70 million acres of surface land and 220 million acres of federal subsurface estate across the state.
Pendergast, who officially begins the role on June 29, will be responsible for advancing the Department of the Interior’s priorities in Alaska, including expanding resource development, overseeing energy and mineral programs, and managing multiple-use public lands in a state known for its vast natural wealth.
The announcement came from Jon Raby, who has been serving the function of director.
“Kevin brings decades of Interior Department and private sector experience and is a proven leader,” Raby said. “He has spent many years in Alaska working with policy makers, industry leaders, and communities across the state. His expertise will ensure we continue to unleash the resource potential in Alaska.”
As Alaska state director, Pendergast will guide key initiatives such as advancing exploration and development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He will also lead the BLM’s efforts to revoke certain public land withdrawals, a move that supports major infrastructure projects like the proposed Ambler Road and the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Pipeline.
Pendergast has served as BLM Alaska’s deputy state director for resources since 2019, where he led a critical mining program and directed oil and gas leasing efforts, as well as recreational and other land-use programs. In Fiscal Year 2023, public lands managed by BLM Alaska contributed more than $1.7 billion to the economy and supported over 4,000 jobs.
In addition to his work with BLM, Pendergast has held leadership roles at the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Interior Department’s Office of Budget, and Grand Teton National Park. His early career was spent as a consultant and project manager throughout Alaska, giving him extensive familiarity with the state’s geography and communities.
Pendergast holds dual bachelor’s degrees in geology from Oregon State University and in civil engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Alaska and a certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists.
He resides in Anchorage with his wife and family.
The BLM manages 245 million acres of public land across the U.S., primarily in 12 western states, and administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for current and future generations.
Congratulations, Kevin Pendergast, I am so happy Alaska is back in business, and the Deep State and Red Tape are being replaced with less regulation and reasonable regulators with oil and gas lease terms.
When is the next Beaufort Sea oil and gas lease sale?
Finally, putting engineers and people of analytical skills and reason into these important positions. Environmental wackos, climate change bafoons, and LGBTQ nutcases with extreme political agendas can return to the George Soros school for radicals.
How is Kevin Pendergast possibly qualified for this position?
He is neither black, nor Latinx, nor a woman, nor homosexual.