TAPS has helped shape past, present and future
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Trans Alaska Pipeline System will celebrate its 50th an- niversary of operations on June 20, 2027. In honor of the milestone, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company provided insight into the past, present and future of its operations, offering a glimpse into what the next 50 years hold for TAPS and the State of Alaska. How did TAPS help accelerate infra- structure development across the state? The construction of TAPS com - pletely reshaped Alaska’s economy. In just a few years, the historic $8 billion dollar construction proj - ect created a true economic boom for the state. More than 70,000 people worked directly on pipeline construc - tion — and thousands more found jobs supporting that workforce — from housing and transportation to food, supplies and services. It was a transformational moment that gave a young state an entirely new economic trajectory and outlook for its future. Many Alaska businesses celebrat - ing 50-year anniversaries in recent years can directly trace their roots back to that era. And the construction effort didn’t just change communi - ties, it altered the state’s physical landscape. The 800-mile TAPS right- of-way, the Dalton Highway, the Yukon River bridge and major growth
almost 50 years, it has generated billions annually to fund schools, roads, public services and community programs. Those dollars have provid - ed stability that few resource-reliant states enjoy. How does TAPS continue to support jobs across Alaska today? Since construction, TAPS has sup - ported a wide range of reliable careers and once-in-a-lifetime work experi - ences. It’s still possible to meet peo - ple who have worked in TAPS-related jobs since the construction era. Today, Alyeska employs pipeline technicians at remote pump stations, a mix of traditional corporate roles and modern positions like cyber se - curity, optimization engineering, and strategic planning, data management and assurance. We also partner with dozens of contractor companies, with some of their employees working alongside ours daily. Alyeska directly employs about 700 people, 94% of whom are Alaska residents, including a strong Alaska Native workforce. Beyond Alyeska, in 2024, prima - ry oil and gas companies paid more than $1 billion in wages for workers in
in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Valdez all grew out of the project. These in - vestments still fuel Alaska’s economy and even shape our state’s urban and remote landscapes. TAPS jumpstarted infrastructure that likely would not have existed for decades — building and operating the pipeline, adding hundreds of miles of new roads, river crossings, industrial corridors, runways and airfields, and support facilities. Communities grew as workers arrived and businesses established permanent operations. Much of Alaska’s modern transpor - tation network, and the hubs that support remote operations, started because TAPS and its workers re - quired them. What role has oil revenue play in shaping modern Alaska? Oil revenue has shaped nearly every aspect of modern Alaska. For
Photo Courtesy of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company The Pump Station 5 crew celebrates the 19 billion barrels milestone in the fall. Alyeska directly employs about 700 people, 94% of whom are Alaska residents, including a strong Alaska Native workforce.
RESPONSIBLE
POWERING A CLEANER FUTURE Once considered gold’s quieter
SUSTAINABLE
INNOVATIVE
SILVER
cousin, silver now shines as a crucial component in the production of green technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. At Hecla Greens Creek, we produce silver by the ton – 241 (9 million ounces) to be exact. We’re the largest silver mine in the U.S. – and we’re hard at work to power a cleaner future.
POWER
CONTINUED on PAGE 38
Supporting the World’s Transition to Green.
Looking ahead, the combination of new development, modern infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce positions TAPS to remain a strong and stabilizing force for Alaska’s economy. With continued industry activity and a commitment to long-term operations, TAPS will keep delivering opportunity in jobs, revenue and community resilience well into the next 50 years.
36
THE LINK: The Official Magazine of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance | SPRING 2026
www.AlaskaAlliance.com 37
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker