By ROBERT SEITZ
Aug. 24, 2026 – How disappointing that our state legislators have no sense of urgency to see that Alaska’s economy be given a chance to surge at this critical time. I think some of them are exhibiting symptoms of socialism which we have seen in the DSA candidates in this primary campaign. I think some of them hate rich people and don’t think there should be billionaires or large money making corporations.
If they had seen that a clean tax bill would have allowed Glenfarne to immediately go out to seek investment in the AkLNG project we might have been able to see the beginnings of construction before year’s end. Legislators have had a tendency to not trust our oil and gas producers. So they kept trying to raise taxes on them to such an extent and for such a long time they (the oil and gas folks) finally packed up and left the state. If they had be left alone, and allowed to make a profit so they could provide financing for future production developments on the North Slope we might have avoided the large drop in production.
This resulted in very low royalty payments into the Alaska Treasury which then resulted in the inability to actually have a full budget. Also, if they had been left alone they might have actually taken on the natural gas pipeline decades ago. Tax fidgety legislators nipped at their heels so viciously and tenaciously that the majors packed up and went elsewhere.
We have elected officials who are afraid to permit capitalism and free enterprise have full rein to allow this huge project to become a reality and give us a shot at a good economy this winter and into the future. Many of our corporate partners have been very philanthropic to many of our communities during their time in our state and some even pitched in while construction was still going for the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, to lessen the impact of people and equipment.
Just because we can’t tax the structure while it is being built does not mean that we can’t find ways to address the issues without property tax. We are resourceful and adaptable. Most important is that we must learn to let those who are willing to invest in our projects, to make a profit and hang on to it long enough to bring the project to completion.
I kept reading that there were many who wanted to know what happens if they don’t finish the project. Just because Alaska has a 25% interest in the project does not mean Alaska needs to be an active partner in the project. Alaska got involved because the normal participants were driven away. I have expected Glenfarne and investors would complete the project, and Alaska would then transfer the 25% interest to the Permanent Fund to benefit the State. Gov. Dunleavy did a great job getting somebody who was willing to take on the project. We should be able to go along and show our approval and be ready to respond with people and services when the work begins.
The government just needs to make sure that all the legal stuff is properly set up. It is important to have ownership of the land on which the project is built. Environmental safeguards and personnel safety during construction and operation must be established, and that is done. We have some infrastructure to take care of so the extra stress on our transportation corridors can hold up under the extra traffic.
We might be able to deal with that from the improved economics we will have during construction. Government has done what it needs to do, now let builders do what they need to do. Engineers have done their part, now it is time to give the people what they need.
Let’s not be haters of billionaires and not want anyone to accumulate wealth so that they can invest in the future developments that will benefit us all. Government will not be able to build our gas pipeline and government should not block the building of our gas pipeline. It is still North to the Future.
Robert Seitz is an electrical engineer and longtime Alaskan.
Robert Seitz: Pass it for Alaska
Robert Seitz: It’s time for the Legislature to realize you can’t tax Alaska to prosperity
2 thoughts on “Robert Seitz: It is not too late to find a way to make the gasline work, the right way”
First we need an investment company that has not been delisted so we can invest in that company by purchasing stocks. Establish a better relationship with the North Slope oil companies on releasing North Slope natural gas. Establish market contracts for exporting LNG, but most of all, elect a new governor that has experience in dealing with a reputable developer, an assortment of large pipeline construction companies and financial investors.
Unfortunately I did not run for governor.
The author is a kind optimist who is assuming that everyone is acting in good faith. They are not. A tougher and colder reading of things is that the Democrats (including Stedman and Giessel) and the Left DO NOT WANT TO BUILD THE GASLINE unless they can deeply control the project. Long-term the Democrats and the Left oppose ALL development of fossil fuels; they want to run the oil companies out of Alaska, sharply limit all development (including data centers) and increase dependency on government. In short, they want to flip Alaska to a blue state, high-tax, high-wage, high-cost, highly-regulated, fully-“woke” model centered upon government. A gasline is not consistent with that model.
Alaska is in economic decline. The Democrats and the Left are winning. Things will only get worse until the true goals of the Left are recognized. Maybe it is time for Alaskans to stop assuming that folks on the Left are nice people.