Secretary of Interior Burgum calls out the Legislature

By SUZANNE DOWNING

May 20, 2026 –  US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum delivered a pointed message to Alaska lawmakers this week during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage: Stop fighting over the future pie before the pie is even baked.

Appearing alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the conference Tuesday, Burgum strongly endorsed the Alaska LNG project while expressing concern that legislative infighting and delays could undermine confidence among investors and international buyers watching the state’s handling of the project.

While Burgum stopped short of directly intervening in Alaska’s legislative politics, he made clear he believes lawmakers need to focus first on getting the massive infrastructure project built.

“That project has to happen,” Burgum said. “And I would just invite Alaska to not get in your own way if you’re worrying about, ‘How do we divide up the pie,’ and the pie hasn’t even been baked yet.”

Video: Press Conference with Burgum

He described Alaska LNG as a “generational, transformational project” with the potential to reshape the state’s economic future.

The remarks came just hours after the Alaska Legislature failed to advance key gasline-related tax legislation during the chaotic final days of the regular session. The bill had become bogged down by amendments, procedural fights, and broader political battles inside the Capitol, including disputes tied to pension legislation and oil taxes.

Burgum suggested that kind of uncertainty sends the wrong message to potential Asian LNG customers and global investors considering long-term commitments to the project.

“When they see something like last night, they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe these guys aren’t serious about actually building this pipeline,’” Burgum said during a follow-up news conference. “It throws doubt versus trust into the negotiation.”

The Alaska LNG project would move North Slope natural gas through an approximately 800-mile pipeline to Southcentral Alaska and a liquefied natural gas export facility in Nikiski. Developers and supporters argue the project is essential not only for export opportunities, but also for long-term in-state energy security as Cook Inlet gas supplies continue to decline.

The legislation under debate this week was intended to create a more competitive tax framework for the early years of the project, particularly during the expensive construction and startup phase.

Burgum emphasized that Alaska lawmakers can sort out future revenue allocation later — after the project is underway.

“The key thing for Alaska is: Get the project,” he said, adding that revenue discussions for “the next 50 years” can happen afterward.

He also warned that Alaska is competing globally for investment dollars.

“Capital can go anywhere,” Burgum said, reminding Alaskans of the need for Alaska to move decisively if it hopes to secure financing and commercial agreements before competing projects elsewhere capture market share.

The comments landed as Dunleavy announced a special legislative session beginning Thursday, largely centered on reviving the stalled gasline legislation.

Glenfarne blasts Legislature after Alaska LNG tax package dies in Juneau gridlock

The governor has repeatedly framed Alaska LNG as the defining economic opportunity of this generation, while critics inside the Legislature have raised concerns about tax structures, state exposure, and negotiating leverage with private developer Glenfarne.

But Burgum’s comments suggested growing impatience from federal officials and outside stakeholders who view the Legislature’s inability to advance the project as a sign Alaska may once again struggle to execute a large-scale resource development project despite widespread public support and abundant natural resources.

The message from Washington to the Alaska Legislature was unmistakable: Play stupid games; win stupid prizes.

Governor calls a special session for gasline