Alaska on the Hill: Unity is key to Alaska’s future
American Petroleum Institute, during an industry briefing. That unity is an asset, as Alaska’s business community often bears the brunt of shifting political winds in Washington that have outsized im- pacts on the state. From a Biden administration that has often viewed Alaska through a conservation lens — including pulling permits for infrastructure to access one of the world’s richest undeveloped copper-zinc districts — to a Trump administration that signed an execu- tive order on day one to unleash the state’s resource potential, federal pol- icy toward Alaska has swung sharply in recent years. These abrupt shifts are not con- ducive to the long-term planning and capital investment required for proj- ects that can take decades to permit, build, and operate. By elevating Alaska’s priorities in Washington while strengthening ties across industries at home, Alaska on the Hill underscores a growing recog- nition that durable progress depends on building coalitions and supporting policies that can withstand political change. Permitting is common ground At the center of that coali- tion-building effort is a policy issue that cuts across political lines and in- dustry boundaries — permitting re- form. Whether the goal is to develop a mine in Alaska, construct a wind farm off America’s Eastern Seaboard, build an 800-mile pipeline to deliver North Slope gas to the state and world, or build and power AI data centers, the ability to move projects forward hinges CONTINUED on PAGE 14
Differing sectors share long list of common goals WASHINGTON, D.C. — “People have to stop yelling at each other and start working with each other to get stuff done.” This message, delivered by Thom- as Suozzi, a Democratic congressman from Long Island, reverberated in many forms during Alaska on the Hill, a convening of Alaska business leaders in Washington, D.C., to advocate for America’s 49th state and its strategic importance to the nation’s economy and security. From building wind farms in Suozzi’s home state of New York to permitting mines in Alaska that pro- duce the metals needed to construct them, a growing number of U.S. pol- icymakers, industry leaders and vot- ers are recognizing a common reality — sectors and ideologies often at odds are increasingly bound by shared chal- lenges best addressed through collab- oration. Alaska on the Hill brought togeth- er leaders from construction, fishing, logging, mining, petroleum, tourism and other sectors to engage directly with White House officials and Capi - tol Hill policymakers spanning the po- litical spectrum — elevating Alaska’s priorities while broadening the coali- tion behind them. The gathering of more than 130 of Alaska’s top business leaders also re- inforced connections within an already tight-knit community. “Few states work together as Alas- ka does,” said Jack Cramton, vice pres - ident for government relations at the
Photos by Max Collingwood Alliance CEO Rebecca Logan was among the numerous speakers during a day of Alaska on the Hill centering on the Department of the Interior and Alaska.
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THE LINK: The Official Magazine of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance | SUMMER 2026
www.AlaskaAlliance.com
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