EWTC President Tim Tarpley presented a DC Update to over 400 attendees at Meet Alaska where he discussed how the state’s oil and gas production is impacted by the new Administration’s energy priorities and Congress. In his discussions, Tarpley gave an overview of the 2024 election results, the power dynamics in Washington D.C., and how recently issued executive orders seek to grow Alaska’s energy future.
Meet Alaska, organized by The Alliance, is the state’s premier energy conference and trade show where speakers provide outlooks on trends in innovation and workforce development, as well as Resource Development under the Trump Administration. Key partners include ConocoPhillips Alaska, Santos, and Alaska’s Mining Industry, Wood Mackenzie, and Alaska’s Congressional Delegation.
Unleashing Alaska’s Oil Patch
During his presentation, Tarpley highlighted two key policy changes from the new Trump administration that aim to unleash production in the state. Frist, the President’s E.O. 1453: Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary and then Secretary of Interior Burgum’s Order 3422 which implements the former.
E.O. 1453 seeks to efficiently and effectively maximize the development and production of natural resources located within Alaska by expediting permitting and prioritizing LNG. Importantly, it directs federal agencies to rescind regulations that run contrary to that mandate issued between 2021 and 2025. Lastly, the E.O. also initiates new leases and permits in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A).
The day before Tarpley’s presentation, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced plans to reopen 82% of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve and the 1.56-million-acre Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing. This initiative also includes lifting restrictions on land along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Corridor and Dalton Highway, facilitating development projects such as the Ambler Road and Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Pipeline.
“President Trump’s decisive actions to unlock Alaska’s vast energy resources mark a pivotal moment for the U.S. energy sector,” said Energy Workforce President Tim Tarpley. “By opening up the ANWR and NPR-A to responsible oil and gas exploration, we are not only enhancing our nation’s energy security but also creating substantial economic opportunities for the over 7,677 energy service sector employees in Alaska and the broader American workforce. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering a robust energy industry that benefits all Americans. These policy changes will lead to increased investment in energy infrastructure, job creation, and a more secure energy future for the United States.”
Maria Suarez-Simmons, Senior Director Energy Policy, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
