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Mike Dunleavy on Energy & Oil

 

 


Dream of cheap, plentiful natural gas may soon be a reality

The Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project is also progressing. With all federal permits in hand, rights of way defined, sellers and buyers of gas in negotiations, and builders, operators, and financiers discussing partnerships, the decades old dream of cheap, plentiful natural gas may soon be a reality with signed agreements on the near horizon. This project, supported by the Biden administration and championed by the Trump administration, will be the largest LNG project in the world.

I see the opportunities to monetize carbon through carbon capture and nature-based offsets creating new revenues for the State of Alaska. I see opportunities that are second to none for energy of all kinds. Oil, natural gas, coal, wind, solar, hydro, emerging sources in geothermal, tidal, hydrogen, and advanced nuclear. One energy opportunity should not, and does not, diminish another. Things change quickly, and the energy transition as it was known just a few years ago is gone.

Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature , Jan 28, 2025

We need to ensure the lowest-cost power from any source

Whether it's coal, natural gas, advanced nuclear, or our abundant renewable resources, we must pursue every energy opportunity to secure affordable and sustainable supplies for Alaska. In addition, upgrading the Railbelt transmission system will increase access to affordable power from Bradley Lake and other renewable sources. It will build the redundancy we need to ensure that the lowest-cost power--from any source--can move from Homer to Fairbanks any time and without interruption.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature , Jan 30, 2024

We need oil and gas revenue to transition to renewables

Our ability to increase production is under attack from Washington, DC, and federal courts that side with extremist environmental groups. No state has been targeted more by the current administration than Alaska. For those who want us to invest in programs such as renewables, as I do, the cost of transition can only come from the revenue from our oil and gas. From that perspective, the policies coming from Washington DC make absolutely no sense and, quite frankly border on insanity.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature , Jan 25, 2022

Alaska should remain oil & gas giant for another 45 years

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System has operated for nearly 45 years as the backbone of our economy. It has transformed Alaska into the modern state that it is. The pipeline provides energy, revenue, and jobs for our state, and it provides national security for the United States as well. I envision an Alaska that remains an oil and gas giant with a pipeline that operates for at least another 45 years to underwrite the cost of government, our renewable potential, and secure our energy independence.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature , Jan 25, 2022

Exemption from regulations for renewable energy projects

SB69: "An Act extending an exemption from regulation as a public utility for plants and facilities generating electricity entirely from renewable energy resources."

The Alaska Center Summary: A bill which would help decrease obstacles fo Independent Power Producers to create renewable energy projects and get clean energy on transmission grids.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 18-2-0 on Mar/31/21; Passed House 36-1-3 on May/7/21; Signed by Gov. Dunleavy on Aug/16/21.

Source: Alaska State Legislature voting records SB69 , Aug 16, 2021

Harness renewable energy resources: wind, tidal, hydro

We must make the pursuit of cheap and reliable energy a priority. We can start by harnessing the incredible renewable energy resources within Alaska itself. Alaska possesses more tidal energy than the rest of the nation combined. Our potential for wind, geothermal, in-shore and pumped hydro is practically unlimited. We have the means to reduce our enormous power costs, attract new jobs, and deliver cheap Alaskan energy to Alaskans.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature , Jan 28, 2021

False premise: protect environment or economic development

We must defend our right to develop traditional energy resources. Alaska generates much of its revenue from this activity. More importantly, our constitution compels us to do so. I reject the false premise between protecting the environment and developing our economy. This is the argument of outsiders who seek to divide us for their own benefit. We know better than anyone, that we can develop our resources so that a clean environment and prosperity are two sides of the same coin.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature , Jan 28, 2021

Alaskan oil industry is undergoing a renaissance

The oil industry is undergoing a renaissance. We saw an incredible $5.5 billion dollars in private investment on the North Slope last year, that will result in a potential 200-300 thousand new barrels of oil in the next several years. This is great news for Alaska and Alaska's future. I want to be very clear--outsiders love to present a false choice between resource development and the environment. From their perspective, it's a win-lose, but from our perspective it should be a win-win.
Source: 2020 Alaska State of the State address , Jan 27, 2020

Goal of 50% renewable energy by 2025

Inexpensive energy, especially electricity, will be the basis that drives the future economy. If Alaska does it right, we have an opportunity to lead this nation in cheap energy. Whether it's tidal, hydro, solar, biomass, wind, or geothermal, we have more potential to deploy renewable energy than anywhere else on the planet, and we have an obligation to make every possible effort to reach this 50% goal by 2025.
Source: 2020 Alaska State of the State address , Jan 27, 2020

Backs Donlin goldmine/pipeline, for huge energy opportunity

Dunleavy pledged support for the Donlin gold mine. The project also proposes a 315-mile-long gas pipeline from Cook Inlet to fuel the mine's operations and power demands. Former Senator Dunleavy says that pipeline is a huge energy opportunity for the Y-K Delta and the state. "A lot of spin-off industries will benefit from it in the Y-K Delta and Southcentral Alaska so I think it's a huge opportunity for Alaska," Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy and three other top gubernatorial candidates have pledged support for the Donlin mine, which would be the one of the biggest gold mines in the world. It will require large treatment facilities for mercury and cyanide coming from the mine's operations. People living the Y-K Delta are also worried about what will happen after the mine stops producing. The site would have to be monitored forever, once it ceases operations.

Source: U. of Alaska press release on 2018 Alaska gubernatorial race , Jul 6, 2018

Other governors on Energy & Oil: Mike Dunleavy on other issues:
AK Gubernatorial:
Bill Walker
Billy Toien
Christopher Kurka
Click Bishop
Les Gara
Nancy Dahlstrom
Tom Begich
AK Senatorial:
Andy Barr
Dan Sullivan
Kelly Tshibaka
Lisa Murkowski
Mary Peltola

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Drugs
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Energy/Oil
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Page last updated: May 18, 2026; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org