Trump’s return brings big changes for Alaska
tain programs. Smaller infrastruc- ture projects, or many of them, are seeming to find favor with the new administration, and funds in certain U.S. Environmental Protection Ad- ministration projects have even been restored. Julie Kitka, Federal Co-Chair of the Denali Commission, a federal-state body that coordinates mainly federal money to rural projects, said funds for several Denali Commission proj- ects put on hold have now seen funds released. The Denali Commission funds mostly small projects such as water, sanitation and solid waste, health facilities and village infrastructure protection. There was $50.6 million in active and pending Denali Com- mission projects active and pending as of late February, according to in- formation provided to the House Ju- diciary Committee in Juneau.
it can keep the project moving in planning and engineering using state funds appropriated for the federal match, but long lead-time equip- ment will soon have to be ordered, which involves more costs. However, the new president also has targeted federal funds for re- newable energy, and in Alaska this affects federally-funded projects in - cluding $52.5 million for electric ve- hicle charging stations planned along the Parks Highway between Anchor- age and Fairbanks. The program has been suspended by the president. Another program on hold is “So- lar for All,” a $62.5 million program that would build Alaska communi- ty solar projects and rooftop solar in low-income communities and neighborhoods. There also is concern that federal permits for wind proj- ects, even on state lands, may be on hold. Some federal money frozen by the president has started to flow in cer -
This is planned by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the state di- vision of Geologic and Geophysical Surveys. The university hopes the freeze will be lifted in time to mobi- lize summer field work. Most of these projects were “paused” in a 90-day hold to en- sure projects conform with the pres- ident’s political agenda. While much of this money will likely be released, the timing is uncertain. That is caus- ing problems in planning mobiliza- tion for summer crews. An important project so far where federal funds are frozen is the sub- sea HVDC power line from the Kenai Peninsula to Cook Inlet’s west side that would create a backup transmis- sion loop for moving low-cost Brad- ley Lake power to the Mat-Su and Anchorage areas and around the ex- isting Kenai Peninsula transmission line, which has constrained capacity. The federal grant is $206.5 million. The Alaska Energy Authority says
President backs resource projects; some funds frozen Just as he said he would, President Donald Trump seems to be taking a wrecking ball to the federal govern- ment in his first few weeks in office. It’s a shock but also a needed shake - up in the start of his second term, many believe. Some feel Trump is moving too fast, however, and federal courts have pushed back on a few of the president’s more controversial ini - tiatives. The effects of federal layoffs ordered by the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) un - der Elon Musk, are also being felt in Alaska. It will take months, even years, to see whether these moves will “right- size” what many feel is bloated fed- eral bureaucracy or whether the ini- tiatives will be damaging in ways that impair the nation’s economy, for example, inflation caused by Trump’s tariffs and counter-tariffs from trading partners. Inflation and other cost increases are already rais- ing some Alaska transportation proj- ect costs, even before there are tariff impacts. However, the president’s an - nouncements encouraging Alas- ka resource development are being warmly received, with signs that exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and approv- al of the Ambler mineral access road will get the green light. Randy Ruaro, Executive Director of the Alaska Industrial Development Authority (AIDEA), believes the new president will cancel actions by for- mer Interior Secretary Deb Haaland
— Tim Bradner
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mile Ambler Access Road. These are seen as positives but there is also concern in Alaska about some of the new president’s ac - tions, for example for infrastruc- ture projects planned or underway funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), two important laws passed under former President Joe Biden. Just after coming into office, Trump froze $504 million in federal funds for Alaska energy projects ad- ministered through the state’s Alas - ka Energy Authority. The total num- ber was higher when energy projects being developed by other Alaska groups, mainly in rural Alaska, are included. These funds were still fro- zen as of early March. Ironically, a Department of En- ergy program to explore for critical minerals in Alaska was also frozen.
to cancel federal leases in ANWR held by the state development authority. Mining companies exploring in the Ambler Mining District are also encouraged. “Ambler Metals is pleased with the Trump Administration’s support for the Ambler Road and looks forward to resuming exploration activities in the region as soon as possible,” Am- bler Metals Managing Director Kaleb Froehlich said. “We are closely fol- lowing the administration’s efforts to approve the necessary permits for this project, and decisions on explo- ration will be made in part when we see concrete steps being taken to ad- vance the Ambler Road.” Ambler Metals is a joint venture of two mining companies exploring in the region. The companies had been spending more than $25 mil- lion a year in exploration until Haa- land canceled permits for the 211-
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