As the first snow flies and the daylight rapidly wanes, we are bringing you updates on Alaska’s energy world so you can get cozy with a wood stove fire, a nice mug of tea, and not worry about missing out on being educated and empowered on your local energy issues! This newsletter brings you updates on GVEA, AKLNG, the gubernatorial race, and some fun energy-related events.
White House hype for Alaska LNG immediately falls flat
President Trump’s September 30 claim that South Korea will invest $54 billion in Alaska LNG was a total fantasy. As is so often the case with extraordinary claims from the Trump administration, reality quickly strikes back. The South Korean government took a very different tone ahead of the President’s public announcement, and immediately countered Trump’s narrative, saying no agreement has been finalized and that any investment in U.S. energy depends on demonstrated commercial viability.
With Governor Dunleavy, Senator Sullivan, Congressman Begich, and Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval cheerleading in the background, the press event was an embarrassing attempt to prop up this financially untenable project. Glenfarne, the Alaska LNG project developer, has tried to convince the Alaska State Legislature for months this year that the project is economically viable, and failed. The company still doesn’t have detailed engineering analysis for the full project. South Korea isn’t going to throw tens of billions of dollars into a financial black hole without a bare minimum of information.
The Alaska LNG project simply doesn’t pencil out. Glenfarne has claimed the overall cost will be $44.5 to 54.5 billion. State economists said it could be $46.2 to 92.4 billion. Independent analysts have said they expect it to cost upwards of $70 billion, and a recent cost overrun analysis of North American LNG facilities suggested it could be as high as $87 to 104 billion.
Following up on his lie about South Korea at his Wasilla rally on October 13, President Trump tried to recast a non-binding 2025 LNG agreement with Taiwan as new, and real — it’s not.
Ultimately, whether it’s Glenfarne or the President of the United States, pipelines don’t get built with wishful thinking and false claims.
This Alaska Beacon reporting is a snapshot of gubernatorial candidate’s positions on Alaska’s energy issues from recent debates and events. With longstanding Cook Inlet gas dynamics continuing to take center stage, Alaska’s next governor could play a pivotal role in shaping state energy policy. We encourage you to give this piece a read to see how candidates are talking about the Alaska LNG project, Cook Inlet gas, liquefied natural gas imports, renewable energy development, and diversifying the Railbelt energy grid.
Renewable energy can support union labor
We had a great time this weekend celebrating the future of union labor on renewable projects in the state! We heard from speakers who shared some about the history of renewable advocacy here, the exciting prospect of the Delta Wind project, which will be the state's biggest wind farm, and the importance of ensuring that project utilizes the strong union workforce we already have here in the state. We got to hear some rousing labor-themed folk songs from the Honeybucket Stringband, and got excited to take next steps to make this future a reality. Thanks so much to everyone who came out!
If you missed it and still want to get involved(or if you came and missed signing up), you can still sign up to take action.
Cut your energy costs!
We have another great opportunity to get plugged into the Renewable Energy Working group at our “Cut Your Energy Costs” event Saturday, October 24 from 10am-3pm at the JP Jones Center. With energy prices on the rise, we have an exciting line-up of local experts to explore ways you can lower home heating and electricity costs.
GVEA Updates
At the most recent Board meeting on September 22, GVEA provided an update on the Delta Wind project as well as an update on the proposal to buy an LM6000 gas turbine. You can check out more info on the LM6000 here.
Coming Up: UAF Pub Trivia, Keep It In The Ground Edition!
On Tuesday, December 8th, our KING! working group will be hosting trivia at the UAF pub! We are currently in the throes of brainstorming up some great questions - winter sports, Alaska facts, the late great Dolly Parton, Christmas, and of course we’ll have some questions about energy. We’d love it if our readers could send in some suggestions... If you have any suggestions for questions or themes, send them to: connect@fbxclimateaction.org.
We’ll wrap up this month’s newsletter with a teaser question:
What city in Alaska was fully electrified in the late 1800s, using hydroelectricity?
Become a Member of FCAC!
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