OPINION: Advocating for Alaska priorities at the White House

A delegation of Alaskans just returned from the White House for a meeting with the Biden administration, and what we discussed in that visit is worth sharing. Alaska’s economy is stronger than it has been in years thanks to federal infrastructure investment and booming energy development, and that is largely due to federal leadership from our bipartisan congressional delegation and the administration. We can’t rest on our laurels, however, because there is much more we need to do to develop our resources, defend America against Russian and Chinese aggression, and keep our economy as competitive as possible. I appreciate Rep. Mary Peltola and our entire congressional delegation for urging the White House to keep Alaskans’ views front and center.

Alaskans who visited the White House included business and labor leaders who work in construction, telecommunications and other industries. We met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department is leading efforts on surface transportation improvements funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This law, much of which was written by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, has brought incredible benefits to Alaska by expanding investments in our roads, airports and marine highway system. We also discussed the State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, with Secretary Buttigieg. When the state submitted multiple deeply flawed STIP proposals, our congressional members worked closely with labor unions, Associated General Contractors of Alaska and U.S. Department of Transportation to fix the STIP and keep investments flowing into Alaska transportation projects. That’s the kind of problem-solving we need.

Energy is one of the most important areas where we will need continued leadership from the federal government. As a construction union, we’re already seeing tremendous benefits from the Willow project that was approved by the Biden administration. At the White House meetings, we discussed continued oil development with Biden administration economist Gene Sperling and other high-ranking staff in his administration. Over the past year, we’ve seen an increase in 350,000 work hours for Alaska laborers, nearly a 20% increase. This is partly because of Willow and partly because of increased highway and energy investments driven by the federal government. More work hours mean more money in Alaskans’ pocketbooks and, in turn, more spending that supports local small businesses. We’re going to keep advocating to keep projects moving forward in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, because energy production in Alaska means energy security for America.

Fortunately, we’re already seeing significant progress in energy in our electrical grid. Alaska was one of the top five states in the country for investment through the GRIP program. We’re receiving $200 million in federal grant funds to improve transmission from Bradley Lake on the Kenai Peninsula to the Mat-Su, and our utilities are working on another grant to fund improvements all the way to Healy. Improved transmission is essential to dispatch the cheapest electricity to wherever there’s demand on the grid. We can’t build cheaper generation without improved transmission to move electricity up and down the Railbelt. Thanks to Rep. Peltola and Sen. Murkowski, whose advocacy for GRIP was essential in delivering these investments to Alaska.

America needs Alaska energy, and Alaskans need energy for economic development and funding of services from schools to police. We’re making progress on oil and gas, electrical transmission, and in strengthening our economy through transportation investments. At our union, we see the benefits of investment with more work hours and rising wages. Let’s keep up the good work and continue the advocacy in Washington, D.C., in partnership with our bipartisan congressional delegation.

Brandon Calcaterra is president of Laborers Local 341, a union representing Alaskans in construction, oil and gas, health care and the service sector.

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