ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Prominent figures from the Trump administration took center stage at an energy conference in Anchorage on Tuesday, fresh from a visit to the vast Alaskan oil fields in the Arctic. This annual event, organized by the Republican governor of the state, faced criticism from environmentalists who claim it promotes increased oil and gas drilling while sidelining the pressing climate crisis.
A contingent of protesters gathered outside the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference hosted by Governor Mike Dunleavy. Notable speakers at the conference included U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. The federal officials were on a multi-day tour to spotlight former President Donald Trump’s energy agenda, focusing on expanding oil and gas exploration, mining, and logging across Alaska.
During their visit, the officials engaged with pro-drilling groups and local representatives, including some Alaska Native leaders from the petroleum-abundant North Slope. They also explored the Prudhoe Bay oil field, where they took photos along the iconic 800-mile trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
Outside the conference venue, protester Sarah Furman expressed concerns that Trump’s advocacy for more drilling and a significant liquefied natural gas project were “false solutions” for energy and climate issues. Protesters held signs stating, “Alaska is Not for Sale” and “Protect our Public Lands,” pointing to what they see as a disregard for sustainable solutions.
Furman criticized the conference for failing to address genuine solutions to the climate crisis. The conference, running through Thursday, covered various energy topics, including mining, carbon management, nuclear energy, renewables, and hydrogen. Despite the ongoing discussions on alternative energy sources, oil continues to be a cornerstone of Alaska’s economy, a stance supported by Governor Dunleavy.
Among the demonstrators was Rochelle Adams, of Gwich’in heritage, who highlighted the potential negative impact of oil and gas drilling on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s coastal plain. The Gwich’in view this area as sacred because it is a vital calving ground for caribou. Meanwhile, the Iñupiaq community of Kaktovik, situated within the refuge, supports oil exploration as crucial for economic reasons and backs Trump’s interest in restoring a leasing program there.
Adams pointed out the long-term consequences of drilling, asserting that local communities would bear the health and lifestyle impacts. In a discussion led by Dunleavy, Zeldin noted that the wildlife observed on the North Slope seemed “happy” and unaffected by their surroundings.
Burgum, discussing increased drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, suggested that wildlife and industry could coexist. His agency revealed plans during the Alaska visit to overturn restrictions introduced during Biden’s administration on leasing and industrial activity in parts of the reserve preserved for wildlife and cultural importance.
Wright expressed skepticism about policies targeting climate change that allegedly yield no real impact. He argued that halting oil production in Alaska would not reduce global oil demand. Wright critiqued the terminology used in the energy industry, saying, “Clean energy and renewable energy are misleading terms,” since all energy production requires substantial resources, land, and affects the environment.
As part of the officials’ trip, delegates from several Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates, were present. These nations are potential partners in Alaska’s struggling gas project, which aims to construct an 810-mile pipeline to transport gas from the North Slope to the coast, primarily for liquefied natural gas exports.
Wright conveyed that one objective of their visit to Prudhoe Bay was to showcase the oil infrastructure and local community dynamics to the Asian representatives. Glenfarne Alaska LNG LLC, a company leading the charge in this project, announced interest from numerous prospective partners. The estimated $44 billion cost for the associated pipeline and infrastructure is currently under review before any definitive steps are taken.