A few attendees at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference have been glum-looking Democrat legislators, some of whom have fought Gov. Mike Dunleavy since he was elected in 2018.
The contrast between vision and obstruction couldn’t be more apparent. The air was electric with announcements that could position Alaska at the forefront of America’s energy future, from Korean investment interest in our LNG to bold new surveys showing national support for resource development in the state.
While most of the 1,000 attendees are enthusiastic and hopeful, a few familiar Democrat Party faces in the crowd appeared unmoved. They’re the faces of long-serving Democrat legislators whose records read more like roadblocks than roadmaps. Add Bill Popp and the Anchorage Municipal leadership to that list of depressed Democrats — the positive energy is just killing them.
As business leaders, Trump Administration energy officials, and international investors have talked about infrastructure, permitting reform, and attracting capital, Democrats and their allies in the House and Senate seem detached from the urgency and opportunity of the moment. For years, these lawmakers have presented not a single comprehensive energy or investment agenda of their own. And still, the mainstream media gives them a free pass, never asks the question “Why have you presented no economic path forward?”
Let’s be honest: If these legislators have legislative initiatives that put Alaska on par with energy states like Texas or North Dakota, they’re keeping them very well hidden.
Collectively, the Democrat veterans in the Alaska Legislature has over 130 years of legislative experience. Yet over the past decade, what do they have to show for it? They presided over the depletion of Alaska’s savings, gutted the Permanent Fund dividend, and blocked pro-development policies that could have fueled job growth and diversified our economy.
Where is the landmark legislation that made Alaska more competitive? Where is the comprehensive tax or permitting reform package? Where is the legislative push to streamline natural resource development, open new markets, or support critical minerals? Where, frankly, is the leadership?
Instead, the legacy of this political class is defined by resistance. Not just resistance to federal overreach — resistance to anything that might bring jobs, energy security, or private investment. Their answer to every opportunity seems to be “no,” unless it involves more government spending or more federal dollars. It’s a defense posture, not a development one.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, by contrast, has been left to shoulder the heavy lifting, pursuing partnerships, promoting the state abroad, and trying to rebuild investor confidence. And while he faces consistent attacks from the Left, they have yet to offer serious alternatives or a coherent economic vision of their own.
If you’re a Democrat lawmaker in Alaska who believes you have moved the state forward, then name the bill. Show the initiative. Point to something beyond opposition, inertia, and appropriation.
The future is being written by those who are bold enough to act. Alaska has abundant resources, national attention, and geopolitical importance. But without the political will to harness it, we’ll fall further behind our peers. It’s time our Legislature matched the ambition of our people and the potential of our land.
If our long-tenured lawmakers can’t lead Alaska forward, maybe it’s time we found some who will.
Suzanne Downing is founder and editor of Must Read Alaska. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect the opinions of the new owners of Must Read Alaska, Alaska Gold Communications Inc.
Hear, hear!
Well said Suzanne! And thank you for keeping us up to speed on all the exciting news being announced at the Conference!
Murkowski, who was a proud vote for Deb Haaland (Biden’s Sec. of Interior) is now trying to take credit for this new move forward. She must see two faces in the mirror every morning and try to figure out which would play best that day. The height of her hypocrisy is astounding.
Why would anyone expect the members of the radical leftist death cult to do or say anything positive for the state of Alaska, or for anyone else for that matter?
Well, hello there, Jefferson. You’re always a little ray of sunshine.
Well said, Suzanne. Builders are much better than spenders. And obstructionists aren’t worth anything.
You nailed it! Today’s trend of negativity is a puzzle, and the amount of time people spend working for and hoping to see failure! I’ve lost many votes, causes, contracts, projects in my lifetime, but didn’t turn my efforts to working for failure of the project or cause, it just sets a stage for everyone, including myself to share in the loss. Why not work towards a success we can all share?
That crowd wants Alaska locked up no job, no, development of any kind. Basically Degrowth, ” you will own Nothing!!!!” But not US!!! You must give us all you have! And be our serfs, in perpetuity!!!
Well said Suzanne. I truly believe that far to large a number of our ‘elected’ representation are unqualified to be making the myriad of decisions for our state they are tasked with. Too many have no idea where money comes from, they only know how to spend. Their policies have battered the ‘golden goose’ of prosperity, namely the private sector, especially resource development. It seems there should be a requirement to have ran a business before running for state office, or at the very least a test of fiscal and economic understanding.
Excellent comment.
The biggest failure of the Democrats generally in the Alaska Legislature and a few others is to treat oil and gas as renewable resources with unlimited supply. This treatment ignores the fact that whatever there is is all there will ever be. It costs more to develop and find new reserves and our wellhead values are lower than anywhere else in the United States for comparable oil because of the distances involved.
This isn’t like agriculture where buying more seed, feeding and watering more, and incentives for farmers can produce more annual harvests. The approach of trying to increase the state’s take to meet the annual spend fails miserably as is particularly evident in this legislature’s budget.
The creation of the Permanent Fund recognized the nonrenewable nature of petroleum resources. It can provide a new reserve of dollars to replace the mineral reserves that will decline. Alaska legislators need to remember this.
Except we’re getting the legislators we continuously vote for.
Our words and our votes contradict each other.
Democrats and Rino’s will ALWAYS be the problem in this state and this country
on this article, you are right 100 percent Suzanne. Great article thank you.
Thanks Suzanne, A very eloquent fact filled observations. We, Resource Development thinking souls have been as frustrated with the attitude of the Legislature in total for the lack of fight for development.
The state has been planning to replace the 61-year old M/V Tustumena with a new ship for over 11 years. I don’t believe the state is serious about building anything.
Hey folks, it’s not entirely a Democratic/Republican issue! Without a doubt, thee are many, many Democrats in Alaska who would love to see this project happen.
And I’m a Democratic Alaskan-at-heart who would love to see this mega-project happen. But I only support it if it can stand on its own two economic feet, make an unsubsidized IRR commensurate with its risk, and compete with other LNG projects around the globe. After all, that’s how investors will look at it, and to date, these indicators have not been very positive.
I’ve seen more than one major oil and gas project that suffered from too mush wishful thinking, cheerleading, and optimism, and they all ended up either canceled, shut down, or sold at a loss. Cold, hard economics is what this needs to be all about, and if the Alaska LNG project’s got that, then Godspeed.
Whidbey,
Please list the elected Democrats in Alaska that support this project or any energy or mining project that are economically viable. There’s no need to include solar and wind since they aren’t economically viable without heavy government subsidization.
Well said Suzanne!
Again, I side with the Masked Avenger and his comment. This response can be applied to nearly every single problem our side has with local and state government. While the left rallies together and doubles-down on stupid, we engage in pissing matches and/or won’t vote because of RCV or, mail-in voting is illegal or “there’s no way I’m voting that person…” I don’t conjure up these reasons, I read this stuff in the comments on this web site.
As for leftists in Alaska, I liken their disdain for energy exploration and production to parasites inhabiting a host animal, destroying it from the inside, consuming it and then… dying off from having nothing left to eat. Most of these left leaners came to Alaska and took jobs directly or indirectly associated with oil and gas production. They’ve just chosen to ignorantly and hypocritically oppose it with a high & mighty attitude of saving us simpletons from ourselves rather than doing everyone a favor by leaving the state.
The dismal state of Alaska’s finances is directly attributable to SB-21- the giveaway of billions of dollars of our oil per year. Under ACES we saved billions, nearly $20 billion was placed into the CBR/SBR. Full dividends were paid. Then the fiscal disaster and lies of SB-21 went into effect. A family of four has now lost over $70,000 in dividends. The Alaska population has been in decline for 11 years. The money we used to spend to build infrastructure is gone.
Our state population is way too small, and the state is too large, for us to make a go of it if we do not get a fair return for our resources. We were given 105 million acres at statehood so we’d not be in this exact situation.
State spending more than tripled in a few short years when oil prices and taxation were at record highs, state spending has never been cut to realistic levels. The one part you get correct is that the money to spend is gone and that is because the legislature has spent it. They spent the CBR, they spent the PF earning reserves, they continue to spend spend spend…and you continue to cheer on more spending instead of fiscal responsibility you want to tax tax tax.
Please, just once try and explain what you think a “fair return for our resources” is instead of just more.
Great and truthful article!! It was obvious. There were many Native leaders in attendance and much enthusiasm in what this can bring to their communities.
Maybe those legislators should listen to their community instead of following democrat talking points!