The Year Ahead: Defending Alaska’s Future Under a New Administration
— Loren Barrett
As we round out the first month of the new year, we want to first thank you for helping us meet our end-of-year fundraising goals. Your support ensures that Cook Inletkeeper can stand firm against the growing threats to Alaska’s environment, even in the face of the political turbulence ahead.
This week the Trump administration has ushered in a wave of executive orders aimed at prioritizing fossil fuel extraction over environmental stewardship, stunting the development of renewable technology, and a special focus on “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential”. While these actions are disappointing, they are not surprising. Alaska specific orders are aligned with Governor Dunleavy’s transition priorities, with orders that seek to reverse protections for critical habitats, weaken state-federal cooperation on conservation, and “reopen” Alaska’s lands and waters to unchecked exploitation.
Among the nine executive orders signed Monday, specifically aimed at the environment and hindering our ability to address climate change, were aims to:
- Halt, indefinitely, all offshore wind energy permitting, leasing, and approvals, and assess options for terminating existing offshore wind leases.
- Declare an “energy emergency” to allow fossil fuel projects to skirt environmental protections including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- Pillage Alaska’s natural resources — from oil and gas to timber to minerals — that had been under protection.
- Reopen protected waters to offshore oil and gas drilling, and expedite permits for fossil fuel development.
Despite the noise, the economic reality and public sentiment remain in favor of an independent, forward-looking Alaska. As Sen. Cathy Giessel R-Anchorage aptly observed, Alaska is “not a colony to be pillaged.” While some may rally behind slogans like “Drill, baby, drill,” the facts tell a different story: more than 6,000 approved permits for fossil fuel extraction on federal lands remain idle. The push for further deregulation isn’t about necessity—it’s about corporate greed at the expense of Alaskans’ future.
As Inletkeeper approaches its 30th anniversary, we’re reminded that special places like Cook Inlet | Tikahtnu don’t remain protected by accident. All of these changes on the federal stage can feel dire, especially as we surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius warming mark, exit the Paris Climate Accord, and witness uninformed rollbacks of critical climate policies. Looking ahead, we recognize that the road will be long and filled with challenges. This administration has made Alaska a focal point of its agenda, so we know that our work in the coming year lies closer to home, with our state and local leaders. Inletkeeper will continue to serve as a steadfast watchdog, cutting through the noise and aggrandized headlines to hold decision-makers accountable.
We will be tracking and alerting you to key issues like Alaska’s push for 404 primacy, the federal 5-year offshore leasing plan, and ensuring public processes for proposed development projects. We will stand in opposition to non-critical mineral extraction and continue to champion resilient, sustainable communities and a decarbonized energy future.
As we navigate this new political landscape, your voice will be more important than ever. Public opposition has always been a powerful force in protecting Alaska’s lands, waters, and wildlife. Together, we must ensure that short-term profit does not come at the expense of long-term sustainability.
With your continued support, we can rise to the challenges ahead, ensuring Cook Inlet and its communities thrive for generations to come.