Alaska’s Economic Future: Substance Over Hype

By Kate Troll

In Alaska, contrasting economic realities are shaping the future. One is grounded in tangible factors like GDP and job growth, while the other relies on promises of mega-projects like ANWR and the LNG pipeline, which may take 8-10 years to materialize. Notably, Alaska’s economy expanded under President Biden, adding 31,700 jobs and nearly $8 million in private sector investments, while it shrank during Trump’s first term.

Despite this, Senator Dan Sullivan criticized Biden for allegedly “shutting down” Alaska’s economy through what he claims are 70 executive orders against Alaskan interests. Yet, journalist Dermot Cole clarified that only one of these was substantial; the rest were routine procedures. This mischaracterization seems to distract from the real economic progress under Biden, which has prioritized clean energy and infrastructure investments.

Furthermore, Sullivan recently touted the Alaska LNG project on Fox News, promising pipeline construction soon. However, industry experts like Stephen Stapczynski from Bloomberg suggest the project remains uncertain, likely deterring investor commitment.

In contrast, Biden’s $10.1 billion investment in clean energy initiatives has generated over 30,000 jobs. As an advocate for Alaska’s fisheries, I argue that $289 million for the Alaska Marine Highway is a concrete benefit compared to the nebulous promises tied to LNG exportation.

Ultimately, the debate transcends mere resource management; it reflects differing visions for Alaska’s identity and sustainable economic practices. Our state was founded on fish, and its economic future may depend more on sustainable practices than on volatile energy projects.

The views expressed are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Anchorage Daily News.