Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference Opens with Alaska Center Stage of Global Energy Landscape

Gov. Dunleavy opened the conference with a keynote discussion with Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson and National Laboratory of the Rockies Director Jud Virden who discussed how Alaska is positioning itself as a strategic hub for both traditional and next-generation energy, leveraging its vast oil and gas resources world-class renewable potential, and AI innovation to strengthen U.S. energy security and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior joined Governor Dunleavy on stage for a lunch keynote to discuss the central role Alaska and plays in energy shifting global geopolitical landscape.

“There’s just such a huge opportunity here,” Sec. Burgum said. “I think that the future of Alaska is incredibly bright, and I want to thank Governor Dunleavy because he’s been steadfast, both in fighting back against the Biden administration and now taking the opportunity with these tailwinds to get as much done as he can in terms of building out the infrastructure that’s going to allow the U.S. to prosper, improve affordability, and improve our relationships with our important allies across the Pacific.”

In addition to conference programming, Governor Dunleavy signed multiple agreements strengthening Alaska’s relationships with organizations and governments.

State of Alaska and National Laboratory of the Rockies Sign Landmark MOU

With Alaska holding significant critical minerals and energy resources key to national priorities, and NLR being the only national lab with a permanent campus in Alaska, this agreement seeks to coordinate resources in a way that supports national security objectives, including domestic mineral supply chain development and energy reliability for remote and strategic communities.

This milestone will make it easier for our two entities to work together, share research and lessons learned, and advance Alaska’s resource and energy priorities.

Gov. Dunleavy and Premier Dixon Sign Renewed Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Accord

During the Conference, they signed a renewed Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Relations Accord to support continued collaboration and friendship between their governments.

Both Governor Dunleavy and Premier Dixon emphasized the close and longstanding relationship between Alaska and the Yukon, including cross-border family and friendship connections, enduring ties among Indigenous communities, and a shared commitment to cooperation on infrastructure, trade and investment, fish and wildlife, and wildland fire response. The Premier also expressed his appreciation for Alaska’s support for critical maintenance work on the Shakwak Highway.

During their meeting, the Governor and Premier agreed to remain in close contact. They discussed opportunities to further collaborate in key areas, including: the Shakwak Highway and cross-border infrastructure; addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ People / Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; energy cooperation; and mining and critical minerals.

Alaska and the Yukon agreed to establish new working groups to support bilateral cooperation, including an Alaska-Yukon Arctic Dialogue and a Northern Transportation Engineering Initiative, and also agreed to:

• Deepen working-level cooperation on Yukon River salmon to support rebuilding efforts;
• Promote trade and investment between Alaska and the Yukon, including opportunities for closer ties between Indigenous communities and corporations;
• Share information and coordinate on port priorities;
• Support cross-border tourism;
• Continue cooperation on wildland fire response;
•  Identify opportunities for collaboration in health and education; and
• Explore additional areas of collaboration, including cross-border wildlife like the Fortymile Caribou herd.

Alaska and the Yukon reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their bilateral relationship and as close neighbors. They also underscored the Arctic’s growing strategic importance and the value of closer collaboration in their shared region.

Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference Day 2 will explore the future of renewable energy in Alaska and the transition from diesel to hybrid energy systems in rural Alaska. Wednesday will close with a plenary conversation with Alaska’s LNG project partners including Adam Prestige with Glenfarne Alaska, Won Young Kim with POSCO International, and John Sims of ENSTAR.