VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 2 | JUNE 2026
"Alaska has long demonstrated that economic development and environmental stewardship are not competing priorities. Our state works best when we pursue both together." — Connor Hajdukovich, Executive Director, RDC
2026 State Legislative Priorities The Resource Development Council of Alaska (RDC) is a statewide business association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s fishing, timber/forest products, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE RDC ADVOCATE FOR ALASKA
Advocate and provide support for policies and legislation that encourage responsible resource development.
Stable, long-term fiscal plan •
Encourage the legislature to create a stable state budget over the long term using measured fiscal reforms and utilization of Permanent Fund earnings tied to a rules-based framework. This budgetary planning should: o Include a meaningful spending cap that promotes fiscal discipline and predictability; o Adhere to the 5 percent POMV draw to protect the long-term sustainability of the Permanent Fund; o Maintain adequate funding for essential state functions so Alaskans continue to have reliable access to core government services; and o Rely on existing revenue sources and efficiencies rather than imposing new taxes. • Advocate to diversify and expand the economy in Alaska, by reducing the budget deficit to encourage long- term investment by the private sector. • Advocate for the utilization of federal funds to efficiently advance key statewide infrastructure projects to support resource development. *UGF includes: Operating budget, capital budget, statewide obligations, but not the deferral of liabilities. A robust private sector and a stable permitting process • Advocate for tax policy and regulatory stability that enhance the State of Alaska’s competitiveness for all industries to attract new investment and grow the economy. • Encourage elected officials and state agencies to defend and promote Alaska’s effective and rigorous regulatory process. • Support state assumption of primacy over federal permitting programs to bring stability, efficiency and certainty to support resource development. • Support and advocate for state and local efforts to lift federal public lands orders, such as PLO 5150, and regulations limiting and/or restricting reasonable access, development and delivery of state resources. Initiative reform • Advocate for changes to the initiative process that would nullify a ballot initiative if a court finds any segment of the initiative to be unconstitutional. • Advocate for changes to the initiative process that create more transparency and better public policy in a comprehensive and balanced manner, to equally benefit both the voters and the legislative process.
D EAR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS: If you are reading this at our Annual Membership Luncheon, thank you for joining us and for your continued support of RDC. This event is one of the best reminders each year of what makes our organization unique. Bringing together Alaska’s diverse indus- tries, communities and leaders in one room reinforces the power of collabo- ration and the shared commitment to responsible development that has defined RDC for more than 50 years. At this year’s luncheon, we are high- lighting how we do it best in Alaska, particularly as it relates to environmen- tal stewardship and cooperation with government and industry partners. We are pleased to welcome Deputy Admin- istrator of the Environmental Protection Agency David Fotouhi to discuss envi- ronmental policy and the importance of cooperation between government and industry partners. Alaska has long demonstrated that economic development and environmental stewardship are not competing priorities. Our state works best when we pursue both together. As Alaska’s tourism, fishing and construction industries ramp up for another busy summer, RDC is concluding a legislative session that carried signifi- cant implications for the state’s econom- ic future. On a positive note, we were excited to see the Legislature pass federal
match transportation funding before the start of the summer construction season and other legislation to help incentivize investment and enhance value for Alaska’s fishing industry. In recent months, RDC devoted sub- stantial effort toward supporting policies that advance development of the Alaska LNG Project. This project represents far more than a single development op- portunity. It has the potential to create jobs, provide long-term energy security, support communities across the state and unlock future investment opportunities for Alaska. At the same time, discussions surrounding the project also highlighted a broader issue: the importance of main- taining a stable and competitive invest- ment climate. RDC opposed efforts to attach expansive changes to Alaska’s oil and gas tax structure to legislation intend- ed to advance the Alaska LNG Project. These discussions serve as an important reminder that policy decisions made today influence investment decisions for decades to come. Few examples illustrate this more clearly than the recent announcement from Santos and Repsol of first oil at the Pikka Project. Pikka was not the result of a single legislative session or one policy decision. It represents years of planning, billions of dollars of investment and a long-term commitment to Alaska. It also
reflects the impact of policy decisions made more than a decade ago, creating our current tax structure that encourages new investment and exploration oppor- tunities. The lesson is straightforward: in- vestment responds to certainty, and Alas- ka’s policy choices have real consequences for whether projects move forward. That is also why organizations like RDC matter. Individual companies understand- ably must focus on their own business objectives, meeting economic goals and management strategies. RDC provides in- dustry with the opportunity to contribute to Alaska’s long-term economic success and creating an investment-rich environ- ment for the future. We serve as a vehicle for strategic thinking through election cycles, market fluctuations and individual project goals. As you look around the room at this year’s luncheon, you are seeing more than a gathering of members. You are seeing a coalition committed to ensuring Alaska remains a place where investment, oppor- tunity and responsible development can thrive for generations to come. Thank you again for your support and for being part of RDC’s mission. SINCERELY, CONNOR HAJDUKOVICH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR ALASKA
akrdc.org
4
ALASKA RESOURCE REVIEW JUNE 2026
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator