“The Alliance is proud to help organize and participate in such a powerful event that showcases how important Alaska’s resources are to the nation and the world.” — Skeet Black, Director of Corporate Outfitting, Big Ray’s and Alliance Board President
Australia — jurisdictions defined by vast resource wealth, remote geogra- phies, and the need to balance devel- opment with environmental and cul- tural considerations. “Australia is a great economic part- ner for the United States and for Alas- ka,” said John Robertson, deputy head of mission at the embassy. “We want to do more in Alaska.” Those comments reflect a deepen - ing relationship between the U.S and Australia, particularly in securing the minerals and materials needed for ad- vanced technologies and energy sys- tems. Recent initiatives aimed at aligning geological data, investment strategies, and project development underscore a shared goal – building resilient, trans- parent supply chains that reduce reli- ance on geopolitical competitors. Seen in this broader context, the coalition-building on display at Alaska on the Hill mirrors a larger trend that extends from local industries and state delegations to international partner- ships among trusted allies. The common thread is a shift away from fragmented efforts and toward coordinated approaches, where ener- gy, minerals, infrastructure, and pol- icy are increasingly viewed as inter- connected parts of a single system. Good business sense From Alaska to Washington, and across allied nations, a consistent message is taking shape — long-term investment depends on alignment that outlasts political cycles. That reality is already being tested and, in some cases, quietly advanced through efforts like the Problem Solv - ers Caucus, a bipartisan group of law- makers co-chaired by Suozzi and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) focused on bridging political divides to move pol- icy forward.
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“Adding a foundational custom- er like Donlin Gold, one of the larg- est known undeveloped gold deposits in the world, to Alaska LNG provides significant volume discount benefits that will result in lower energy costs for Alaska consumers,” Prestidge said. Expanded, this model could enable more affordable mining and refining in Alaska — capturing more in-state val- ue than just exporting raw materials. In turn, those operations would reduce America’s reliance on foreign sources for the minerals critical to en- ergy, technology, and infrastructure. At the same time, mining customers improve the economics of delivering Alaska LNG to broader markets. This shifts the conversation from individual projects to a broader, sys- tem-level view. That alignment is part of a grow- ing trend of American industries that have traditionally operated in parallel, increasingly finding common ground in shared challenges and opportunities — from permitting reform in Wash- ington to integrated infrastructure and supply chains.
an understanding that energy, infra- structure, and resource development are interdependent — is increasingly reflected in conversations at the na - tional and international levels. In Washington, that alignment is beginning to take hold across state lines and political boundaries, particu- larly among policymakers who see do- mestic resource development, Ameri- can energy independence, and secure supply chains as shared priorities. “As long as I’m privileged to serve in the House of Representatives, Alas- ka will have no better advocate,” said Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn. That broader backing reflects a growing recognition that Alaska’s rich but underdeveloped resource wealth plays a key role in national objectives that extend well beyond state borders. “We’re fighting for the same thing,” said Barrasso, capturing a growing sentiment among policymak- ers. That sense of shared purpose does not stop at the state or national bor- ders. During an Alaska on the Hill closing reception at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C., discussions turned to the parallels between Alaska and
The project is viewed as both an en- ergy export initiative and a backbone for in-state industrial development. Lower-cost, stable energy could sup- port everything from mine operations to downstream processing — areas where Alaska has historically faced competitive disadvantages. “Alaska LNG offers abundant low- cost natural gas that will enhance the economics and facilitate development of energy-intensive mining projects in Alaska,” said Adam Prestidge, pres - ident of Glenfarne Alaska LNG, the company developing the mega energy project. This connection is underscored by a recent agreement for Glenfarne to evaluate building a smaller 300-mile pipeline to deliver natural gas to the 40-million-ounce Donlin Gold project in Southwest Alaska, potentially reduc- ing operating costs and emissions com- pared to diesel-based power generation. Securing a 50-million-cubic- foot-per-day anchor client could also strengthen the economics of Alaska LNG and help lower the cost of deliv- ering North Slope gas to other in-state customers.
That permitting durability, and the investability that comes with it, is increasingly important as nation- al security priorities and supply chain vulnerabilities elevate the demand for Alaska’s resources. Meeting that demand will require not only investment, but coordination across sectors, governments, and bor- ders. Events like Alaska on the Hill high- light that this coordination is begin- ning to take shape — not in broad consensus, but as a growing willing- ness to find common ground where it matters most. In that sense, the path forward is less about resolving every differ - ence and more about building enough alignment to move forward with con- fidence. For Alaska, and the broader ef- fort to strengthen domestic and allied mineral and energy supply chains, that alignment may prove to be as critical as the resources themselves.
While far removed from any single project in Alaska, the bipartisan caucus reflects an underlying principle voiced throughout Alaska on the Hill — dura- ble solutions are more likely to emerge from cooperation than confrontation. For Alaska’s industries, that prin- ciple is not theoretical. Projects mea - sured in decades — from mines and pipelines to power infrastructure — require confidence that approvals will endure. Without that certainty, capital remains largely sidelined. Congressman Nick Begich (R-Alas- ka) brought this message home when talking about permitting certainty and durability for American projects — from wind farms off the shores of New Hampshire to a road that extends to a critical minerals district in Alaska. “I think that just makes good busi- ness sense,” he said. “You have to have certainty that once that permit is awarded, it’s going to be there over the duration. Otherwise, you’ve got to charge a much higher cost of capital, and at the end of the day, it’s the con- sumer who pays for that.”
National and international allies What is taking shape in Alaska —
— Shane Lasley
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THE LINK: The Official Magazine of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance | SUMMER 2026
www.AlaskaAlliance.com
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