Alaskans have always known our potential as a resource state. The North Slope holds vast reserves of oil and natural gas. We have critical minerals the world needs. We can power our homes, heat our communities, and support good-paying jobs for decades. And we can help power America.

For too long, that promise has sat idle. Federal restrictions slowed us down. Global competitors moved aggressively. Outside activists would rather see Alaska locked up than developed. And at times, our own internal debates have kept projects from moving forward.

This year feels different. The Alaska LNG project is gaining real traction under Glenfarne’s leadership. We have an opportunity to bring North Slope gas south, lower energy costs in Southcentral, and position Alaska as a reliable supplier to our allies in Asia.

If we bury our own projects in environmental morass, legislative uncertainty, or regulatory overreach, we weaken ourselves and limit our children’s future.

Phase One, the 800-mile pipeline, is moving from paper to action. Line pipe has been secured. In-state gas agreements are in place with producers such as Hilcorp and ExxonMobil. Construction partners are lined up. Preliminary commitments from major buyers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan already cover more than half the export volume needed. The project completed its federal permitting work under the FAST-41 framework ahead of schedule, clearing a major hurdle and keeping the timeline intact. Early work could begin this spring, with mechanical completion targeted for 2028 and first in-state gas by 2029.

That is not speculation. That is measurable progress.

At the same time, Southcentral Alaska faces a serious Cook Inlet gas shortfall. Production is declining after decades of dependable supply. Utilities such as Chugach Electric and Enstar are preparing for LNG imports through Nikiski. One option would retrofit the former Kenai LNG facility, led by Harvest Midstream and Hilcorp, with gas targeted as soon as 2026. The other is a larger new-build facility connected to Glenfarne’s long-term plan, aiming for 2029 and capable of integrating into Alaska LNG.

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska, or RCA, is reviewing these proposals to prevent duplication and protect ratepayers from unnecessary costs. That oversight matters. If we build two overlapping import systems when one coordinated bridge would do the job, Alaskans could end up paying hundreds of millions more in utility bills.

Senate Bill 180, introduced through the Alaska Senate Resources Committee, would clarify RCA authority over import gas pricing. That is a practical step to protect consumers and ensure disciplined decision-making. Families should not shoulder the burden of disjointed planning. A smart approach would link near-term imports to Alaska LNG’s timeline so short-term fixes become long-term assets, not competing burdens.

We are a resource state with the capacity to supply affordable gas to America for generations. The progress made under Glenfarne shows this project is no longer theoretical. It is advancing.

Here is the broader issue. The global energy market is not a level playing field. Other nations subsidize production. They manipulate supply. They lock in long-term contracts and build for the next century, not the next two years. If we bury our own projects in environmental morass, legislative uncertainty, or regulatory overreach, we weaken ourselves and limit our children’s future. We risk short-term shortages and higher prices while a long-term solution and American energy dominance sit within reach.

That is not responsible governance. It is self-inflicted harm.

As a member of the House minority, I have seen how energy policy can get pushed aside for other priorities and the political issue of the week. But this is not a side issue. Affordable, reliable energy is foundational. It affects every household and every business in this state. It should be front and center in this Legislature.

We need alignment. Import approvals should complement Alaska LNG, not compete with it. Near-term supply must function as a bridge, not a barrier. Reviews should be efficient and disciplined. Utilities should be encouraged to work together.

We will not get a perfect, risk-free solution. Markets involve trade-offs. Infrastructure requires capital. Timing will never be ideal. But we can choose a path that strengthens Alaska rather than fragments it. We can choose a path that helps power America for a century.

Alaska should not be a pawn in someone else’s energy strategy. We will not allow outsider activists to turn us into a postcard or wildlife park. We are a resource state with the capacity to supply affordable gas to America for generations. The progress made under Glenfarne shows this project is no longer theoretical. It is advancing.

The Legislature should lead this effort. If it will not lead, it should at least not stand in the way.

Our responsibility is clear. Remove unnecessary obstacles. Maintain smart oversight. Protect ratepayers. Keep the long-term vision of energy dominance in front of us.

Our children deserve homes they can afford to heat. Employers deserve stable energy prices. Communities deserve the confidence that comes from real development, not stalled opportunity.

The door has never been opened this wide. Let’s move forward with discipline, common sense, and the determination that built this state in the first place.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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