A small group of protesters gathered Tuesday outside the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage during the opening day of the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, holding a large banner that read: “Alaska Is Not for Sale.” A smaller banner said, “Defend the Sacred.”
The 30-some-odd demonstrators were notably absent from previous years, when Gov. Mike Dunleavy hosted the first three iterations of the conference during the Biden Administration. At that time, Alaska’s development potential was hamstrung by Biden policy and misinterpreted federal regulations, and economic momentum remained stagnant except for government growth. Perhaps the protesters didn’t think anything was going to happen to improve Alaska’s future, so they skipped the conferences.
But this year, with a new administration led by President Donald Trump in Washington and what many in Alaska describe as a renewed opportunity to chart their own energy future, the tone inside the conference hall was far different than outside it.
More than 1,000 attendees, including state and federal officials, private sector leaders, tribal representatives, and international investors, convened to discuss how Alaska can responsibly develop its vast natural resources, including oil, natural gas, critical minerals, and renewable energy. The protesters want none of it, and appeared especially irked that the natural gas pipeline might become a reality.
Attending the conference are many members of the Trump Administration, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, along with their staff. Also prominent has been Sen. Dan Sullivan.
While the protesters shouted about the commercialization of Alaska’s natural assets, conference speakers inside focused on building a sustainable and diversified energy economy that benefits Alaskans and strengthens national security.
Gov. Dunleavy, who has been a consistent advocate for unlocking the state’s resource potential, has described the conference as a platform to attract investment and highlight Alaska’s role in powering the nation.
“Nobody is talking about selling off Alaska,” said one conference attendee. “We’re talking about standing it up, on its own feet, for its own future.”
Despite their small numbers, the protestors drew attention from local media, whose reporters and camera operators nearly outnumbered them.
The conference runs through Thursday and includes panel discussions on LNG, critical minerals, energy infrastructure, permitting reform, and tribal energy partnerships.
Read our conference coverage at the links below:
Why even share this stuff? Come on….you can do better!
You know you’ve cut the Beast deep when it screams loudest.
Those morons need to go back to California
They should… and then leave California. its a nice enough state if you don’t count the leftists in the citys
So! “Alaska is NOT for sale?” Ummm — it has been bought-and-paid for by the George Soros Green Lobby. Which bought RCV, Lisa Murkowski, election fraud, RINOs, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
It is not for sale to people we do not like!
Too bad the protestors didn’t have the opportunity to just hear the AK Dream Team headed by President Trump’s excellent choice for EPA, Energy and Interior!
It was absolutely dynamic as Governor Dunleavy led the discussion on Alaska’s future!
Typical of liberal policy; don’t actually show up to any planning meetings ever.
Then protest loudly after a bill/policy they had zero input on.
Let’s see.
What has changed? Compare the last three years with 2025.
Oh… President Trump.
.
Somehow, i suspect the reason for the protest does not really have anything to do with energy.
I happened to walk by the protest on my way home from work. It was about Trump.
Thirty is a pretty paltry number but I bet all 30 were either ‘visitors’ or recent transplants from the lower left coast.
Before USAID was severely cut, they were probably paid protestors.
These are completely mixed-up, lost DEI infested, brain-washed souls. They have no clue at all how the world operates. Their minds are in reverse gear.
These people were most likely bussed in to protest. Look at them all…. They don’t look like hard working Alaskans at all… They look like the Left trying to pander bad info telling us what to do with our state. They can ALL pound sand! Ignore them and let’s get Alaska back on track!
Zombie sorosians
Must smell awful
This lefty lunatic turnout in that north face gear and rubber bottom orthopedic shoes isn’t worth reporting on. If the oil gas and mining go away 90% of the people in this state will need to pack it up.
That’s what they want; nature not people.
That includes the villages
It sure seems protest to anything positive for the folks, attendees number high in the “Ugly and angry” count
They can all go pound sand .
Well folks I was here prior to Hammond setting up the PFD system for oil revenue!
In exchange for our mineral rights we got
50% of the income earned from interest on the $ the other 50% was to run our government! Our Government defaulted on said contract !!!
Since now our mineral rights are returned by default ! I suggest a 100% return to all Alaskans on any LNG benefits until our Alaskan Government comes clean!
What say you ?
Thanks John.
They squandered their half
One of the most costly State Governments in the universe.
Spending more money than a mere mortal could possibly wrap their minds around.
And now, they have half of our half, and begging for more.
Did the assembly invite them to Alaska?
As I understand it, God gave us these resources to utilize at our discretion.