AGP Executive Report

Arctic Energy & Land: Trump’s Alaska wildlife refuge oil lease push drew tepid interest, with the latest auction results showing only limited bids and raising fresh questions about how much fossil-fuel development will actually move in the Arctic. Power & Grid Policy: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and two new plants, using Defense Production Act authorities—an effort aimed at grid reliability that critics call an unnecessary subsidy. Alaska Business & Tech: Alaska Communications veteran Patrick Kelly was named CTO of GOCare, a broadband customer-experience software firm, signaling continued investment in AI-driven telecom operations. Aviation & Travel Costs: A Reuters report says a U.S. fuel shock is widening the gap between airlines that can keep upgrading premium products and those forced to slow investment—Alaska Air is among the carriers cited. Community & Environment: An Alaska-focused deep-ocean monitoring cut is alarming fishery and coastal stakeholders, with the loss of NSF ocean observatory data raising concerns for fisheries planning and climate readiness. Tourism: Off the Beaten Path launched a small-group “Alaska National Park Grand Slam” itinerary for 2027, bundling access to all eight parks into one guided trip.

Arctic Energy & Leasing: Trump’s ANPR lease sale drew tepid industry interest, with companies buying rights to just 72,000 of nearly 689,000 acres offered and winning bids totaling $3.7 million—renewing doubts about the commercial pull of Arctic drilling. North Slope Gas Policy: Lawmakers are weighing a proposed 90% cut in state and local gas property taxes to move a new North Slope project forward, but some want more details on future concessions and costs. Child Well-Being: Alaska fell to 47th in the nation for overall child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count report, a sharp drop tied to years of declining investment. Legislative Action: The Legislature passed a bill to tax e-cigarettes and vapes and raise Alaska’s legal tobacco purchase age to 21, with taxes starting in 2028. Workforce & Education: A federal judge blocked a Trump policy imposing a $100,000 H-1B fee for new visas, a move that could protect Alaska education jobs that rely on international teachers. Aviation & Partnerships: Alaska Airlines is exploring deeper joint-venture ties with American Airlines as it expands globally, a step that would require antitrust approval. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reported Anchorage diesel at a low of $5.39/gallon for the week ending May 30.

Arctic Energy Politics: The Trump administration’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale drew just $3.74 million for 700,000 acres, with only two bidders and no oil majors—Alaska’s state development agency among the winners, renewing pressure from lawmakers and Alaska Native advocates. Alaska LNG Watch: Glenfarne released updated Alaska LNG cost estimates, while another report warns the pipeline could threaten Cook Inlet beluga whales and coastal communities—keeping the project’s economics and environmental risk in the spotlight. Local Economy & Energy Costs: Alaska’s public utilities sales tax collections rose in 2024, and Anchorage logged its lowest premium gas price for the week ending May 30—small but timely signals for household budgets. Business & Trade: Captain D’s is rolling out wild-caught Alaska pollock across menu items, aiming to meet consumer demand for U.S.-sourced seafood. Aviation Tech: Wizz Air says it will offer Starlink in-flight internet from 2027, adding to the growing list of airlines partnering with Starlink, including Alaska Airlines.

Border & Biosecurity: U.S. Customs seized 337 live hatching eggs shipped to Alaska from Germany after they were misdeclared as “winter jackets,” with no proper paperwork—another reminder that avian disease risks keep live-bird imports tightly regulated. Energy Policy: Glenfarne released updated Alaska LNG cost estimates, putting the full project at $44.5B–$54.5B and the pipeline at $13.2B–$16.9B, as lawmakers weigh a special session tax-break package; the pipeline developer also floated a proposal to cap natural gas prices for Alaskans. Natural Gas Market: Japan received its first crude oil shipments from Alaska since the Strait of Hormuz disruption, underscoring how global shipping shocks are reshaping Alaska’s export reach. Rural Health Funding: Alaska health officials narrowed 1,800 proposals to just over 400 for the $272M Rural Health Transformation Program, advancing hundreds of clinic, hospital, tribe and local-government projects. Tribal Gaming: Tlingit & Haida opened Two Coppers Casino near Juneau amid a shifting federal legal backdrop for Alaska Native gaming jurisdiction. Local Government: Anchorage Assembly is set to consider natural burial projects in South Anchorage, as low-cost cemetery space pressures grow.

Alaska Job Market: A new CBS report spotlights how young job seekers, including Anchorage’s Daniel Fischer, say they’re getting swallowed by AI-driven hiring systems—hundreds of applications, few replies, and no clear path to interviews. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data finds Denali Borough’s cheapest premium gas at $5.64/gal (week ending May 30), while Alaska’s premium average sits at $5.70. Denali Tragedy: A Denali mountaineering ranger, Robin Pendery, died after falling into a crevasse during a climbing patrol near the 14,000-foot camp. Alaska Airlines Outlook: Alaska Air Group CFO Shane Tackett tells Reuters the airline may reinstate financial guidance if jet fuel stabilizes; fuel volatility forced it to pull its full-year outlook. AKLNG Watch: Lawmakers weigh Alaska LNG’s next steps after a cost estimate that could reach $55B. Arctic Energy Politics: Multiple stories track limited interest in Trump’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale, with only two bidders and $3.7M in winning bids. Housing & Local Policy: Anchorage moves to expand “missing middle” housing via a new ordinance. Veterans Memorial Park: Fairbanks’ Veterans Memorial Park renovations are on track for completion this summer, with a new pavilion and updated paths.

Aviation & Travel: Alaska Air Group CFO Shane Tackett says the airline may restore financial guidance on its Q2 call if jet-fuel volatility eases, after a fuel shock forced it to pull its full-year outlook; he expects higher fares and resilient demand to help offset pressure, with operating cash burn possibly near zero later this year. Energy & Policy: Alaska LNG lawmakers in a special session are weighing a new tax structure as project cost estimates climb to as much as $55B, with debate centered on how much developers should pay state and local governments along the pipeline route. Arctic Oil & Gas: Trump’s ANWR lease sale drew limited interest—only two companies bid, with HEX Energy winning a small lease and AIDEA taking others—highlighting continued caution from major oil firms. Local Government: Ketchikan City Council deferred a dock expansion design contract for a year while approving property tax levy and a fire pumper tender purchase. Business & Community: Circle Seafoods gears up for a third season at Metlakatla’s Annette Island Packing Co., aiming to keep 100+ jobs during peak salmon runs and expand its retail pink-salmon pet treat line. Economy & Costs: GasBuddy reports Anchorage midgrade prices hit a weekly low of $5.29/gal (week ending May 30), with statewide midgrade averaging $5.48. Tech & Risk: A Russian envoy claims Russia and the U.S. could sign an agreement to design an underwater tunnel linking Chukotka to Alaska across the Bering Strait.

Alaska LNG Tax Talks: Lawmakers in a special session on LNG tax relief are cautiously optimistic, even as Glenfarne’s updated project cost estimate climbs to as much as $55B (from $45B), and some senators say it may still be too low. Arctic Oil Lease Reality Check: Trump’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale drew limited interest—just $3.7M in winning bids on a small slice of tracts, with major firms staying away. Coal Power Push Hits Mat-Su: Federal backing for a proposed Terra Energy Center coal plant near Skwentna is drawing both support (energy reliability, jobs) and sharp opposition over health and pollution. Gas Prices Watch: Fairbanks North Star Borough reported the week’s lowest premium gas at $5.49, while statewide premium averaged $5.70. Federal Politics Spillover: A $70B immigration enforcement bill cleared the Senate 52-47, with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski voting no. Ukraine-Russia Diplomacy: Putin again rejected Zelenskyy’s proposed face-to-face talks, saying there’s “no point” until a framework is ready—while U.S. aid and sanctions continue to move.

Arctic Energy: Trump’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale drew bids on just five tracts totaling about 72,000 acres, with only HEX Energy and AIDEA participating and about $3.7M in winning bids—another sign major oil firms aren’t lining up. Local Governance & Costs: The Juneau Assembly is set to make big budget calls Monday, including how to plug a recurring deficit tied to tax changes and whether to raise or drop a sales tax cap for single-item goods. Fisheries Policy Clash: Alaska’s Board of Fish salmon restrictions for the Aleutians are back in court fight mode after the acting attorney general invalidated the rules, with subsistence advocates weighing a lawsuit to restore them. Utilities & Rates: Alaska Power & Telephone’s proposed 69.92% electricity hike for the Upper Lynn Canal was rejected by regulators, with customers set for refunds once new rates are finalized. Politics & Money: A Senate-passed $70B immigration enforcement package clears to the House, while DOJ says Trump’s $1.8B “anti-weaponization” fund is dead in court filings. Health & Workforce: UW School of Medicine received a $25M gift to expand rural and Indigenous medical student scholarships across the WWAMI region. Business & Courts: Jurors in Anchorage heard testimony in a wrongful death suit tied to the 2021 Alaska heli-ski crash that killed Czech billionaire Petr Kellner. Community Recycling: Anchorage’s Solid Waste Services will host a free electronics recycling event Saturday for devices like computers and phones.

ANWR Oil Push: The Interior Department is holding its first Trump-era lease sale in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, offering 60 tracts in the 1002 Coastal Plain for potential drilling—an early test of industry appetite in a remote, high-risk area. Bering Strait Tunnel Talk: Russia’s envoy says a Chukotka-to-Alaska tunnel design agreement is set to be signed soon, keeping alive a major cross-border infrastructure idea. Salmon Fight in the Aleutians: After the Alaska Board of Fish restricted the commercial fleet to protect Western Alaska salmon, the acting attorney general invalidated the rules; subsistence advocates now weigh a lawsuit to restore the limits. Mortgage Lending Update: The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines will accept VantageScore 4.0 as mortgage collateral credit scores, expanding scoring for millions of consumers. Fuel Prices Watch: Denali Borough’s lowest reported diesel hit $5.49 per gallon for the week ending May 30, with Alaska diesel averaging $5.81. Immigration Funding in Congress: The Senate passed a $70B immigration enforcement package through 2029, with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski the only GOP no vote.

Energy & Industry: Trump’s administration is pushing a major coal push, including a $700M plan using Cold War-era emergency powers to extend 13 coal plants and back new projects—highlighting an Alaska coal plant proposal in the Susitna River watershed that received an $89M DOE grant to study viability. Local Housing: An Anchorage letter argues the city’s ADU push needs real financing help for homeowners, not just plans and permits. Ukraine Diplomacy: Zelenskyy published a combative open letter urging face-to-face talks with Putin and offering a ceasefire during negotiations, while Putin said Russia will strengthen air defenses and dismissed EU mediation. Alaska Native Gaming: Tlingit & Haida opened Two Coppers Casino near Juneau, but legal questions could still reshape Alaska tribal gaming rights. Business & Tech: Finout launched “Finout Agents,” aiming to automate cloud cost detection, investigation, and remediation for enterprise FinOps teams. Community & Commerce: Anchorage Summer Night Market returns downtown on F Street with a new location for the 2026 season.

Alaska Infrastructure & Trade: Russia’s RDIF says the U.S. and Russia will sign an agreement Friday to keep working on a Bering Strait tunnel design, with Dmitriev saying the project could be built in under eight years. Energy Prices: In the week ending May 30, one Southeast Fairbanks Census Area station sold midgrade gas for $5.39 a gallon, while the area’s average was $5.49 and Alaska’s statewide average for midgrade fell to $5.48. Air Travel Costs: American Airlines is cutting select domestic routes in August and September, blaming elevated jet fuel costs tied to the war in Iran, and says affected passengers can rebook or get refunds. Alaska Aviation/Corporate: Alaska Air Group named former T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert to its board, adding a Seattle-connected telecom leader with deep aviation interest. Maritime & Fisheries Policy: Sen. Dan Sullivan chaired a hearing on the “Blue Economy,” pushing workforce development and investment tied to Alaska’s fisheries and coastal industries. Tribal Gaming: The Two Coppers Casino in Southeast Alaska is in a soft opening phase, aiming for a July 1 grand opening while navigating legal questions around its status. Mining & Permitting: Nova Minerals says its 2026 Estelle Gold and critical minerals work is fully funded, with antimony production targeted for late 2026 to early 2027. Crypto & Finance: Charles Schwab is expanding crypto access for advisors and adding near-24/7 crypto futures trading on thinkorswim.

Anchorage Politics: Anchorage Assembly member George Martinez is facing Alaska Public Offices Commission scrutiny over campaign funds used for “strategic planning” flights, including an Alaska Airlines trip that generated personal Mileage Plan status points. Local Housing: The Anchorage Assembly is set to consider a new ordinance aimed at expanding “missing middle” housing through a zoning overlay that would allow more duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts and townhomes along key corridors. Fairbanks Tax Burden: Fairbanks City Council will adopt a 2026 property tax mill levy after CFO Margarita Bell outlined a higher rate tied to settlement recoupment costs from the Fairbanks Four case. Food Security: The May No Child Go Hungry campaign wrapped up in Fairbanks, surpassing its second food goal and supporting summer meals for children facing food insecurity. Southeast Timber & Subsistence: The Forest Service held a subsistence hearing for the proposed Twin Mountain II logging sale on Prince of Wales Island, with opponents citing potential impacts on deer subsistence use. Oil & North Slope: Santos highlighted progress at its Pikka project, saying first oil has been produced and revenue is expected soon, alongside community investments for Nuiqsut. Cruise Market Watch: A Spanish-speaking niche cruise line, Corazul, delayed its Mediterranean launch and is shifting focus to a Brazil launch for the 2026-2027 season. Consumer/Travel Costs: American Airlines is suspending multiple domestic routes in August and September, citing elevated fuel costs tied to the Iran-related operating environment.

Alaska LNG Debate: Alaskans packed a House Resources Committee hearing as lawmakers weigh tax incentives for the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline, with supporters arguing for momentum toward final investment decisions and opponents warning the project could drive revenue negative during construction and raise costs for communities. Local Governance: Anchorage is also pushing for a “seat at the table” over projected local impacts from the LNG gas line, while city leaders and lawmakers continue to press for clearer project details. Energy & Infrastructure: Fairbanks residents rallied for an LNG spur line, saying without it the Interior won’t see gas benefits, as project leaders discussed progress toward final investment decision. Business & Finance: Anchorage Digital is partnering with Ethena Labs to expand institutional lending tied to the USDtb stablecoin, with Anchorage Digital acting as collateral manager and custody provider. Trade & Supply Chain: U.S. CBP seized 337 hatching eggs shipped to Alaska after they were misdeclared as winter jackets, citing missing documentation and disease-risk rules.

Alaska Politics: With Alaska’s filing deadline past, the state’s 2026 governor race is now set with 17 candidates and a crowded field where the top four from the Aug. 18 primary advance to November. U.S. House Watch: Incumbent Rep. Nick Begich III is defending against 14 challengers, with two expected top threats including Anchorage pastor Matt Schultz and independent Bill Hill. Anchorage Governance: The Anchorage Assembly is reviving a divisive zoning concept under a new name, aiming to loosen rules for more infill near major corridors and bus routes. Energy & Costs: Alaska’s rural fuel reality is stark, with Western Alaska villages facing $7+ gas and heating prices; separate coverage also notes gas prices easing nationally amid Middle East uncertainty. Local Business Impact: Juneau Costco is ending its specialized shipping service for outlying Southeast customers, a change that could raise costs and disrupt small retailers. Health & Community: Blood Bank of Alaska is issuing an urgent statewide donor call as supplies hit critical levels. Cannabis Policy: Alaska lawmakers approved a bill to seal certain low-level marijuana possession convictions from public view, sending it to Gov. Dunleavy.

Alaska Finance & Consumer Stress: Personal bankruptcy filings are rising fast in several states, with Alaska up 29% year over year—an indicator of household budget pressure as inflation and high interest rates bite. Travel & Business Travel Risk: The UK is considering a national database to flag disruptive, often drunk, airline passengers so other carriers can be alerted—an issue airlines say is costing time, money, and safety. Alaska Aviation Premiums: Alaska Airlines is planning a major new Seattle lounge opening in late 2027, aiming to be among the largest in the U.S. with premium bars, shower suites, and chef-curated menus—another signal of higher-end travel demand. Healthcare Policy: CMS released a nationwide framework requiring many adult Medicaid enrollees to meet an 80-hours-per-month work requirement, pushing states to tighten eligibility and reporting. Global Shipping Watch: Vizhinjam International Seaport hit its highest-ever monthly throughput in May despite yard limits, using overflow staging to keep cargo moving. Payments & Crypto: MoneyGram launched MGUSD, a U.S.-dollar stablecoin on Stellar, bringing digital-dollar balances into its app for its global network.

Alaska LNG Cost Shock: Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance says the Alaska LNG megaproject could cost the municipality up to $173 million over nine years under the city’s current tax structure, with major near-term pressure on public safety, roads and schools despite the pipeline not running through Anchorage. Education Funding Decisions: The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District weighs whether to reverse cuts after $144 million in state K-12 bonus funding, including about $9.5 million for the district. Politics & Leadership Changes: Sen. Robb Myers announces retirement from the Alaska Legislature and endorses Rep. Frank Tomaszewski for his Senate seat; Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom also drops out of the governor’s race as the filing deadline nears. Downtown Anchorage Policing: Anchorage police expand seven-day walking patrols funded by the hotel bed tax, aiming to strengthen ties with residents, visitors and businesses. Southeast Health Access: SEARHC opens a new downtown Juneau urgent care clinic on Front Street with walk-in hours 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Food Security Warning: SNAP cuts are threatening food access, with new data showing millions losing benefits and more at risk. Arctic Defense Angle: U.S. officials argue Russia and China are outpacing the U.S. in the Arctic, pointing to new Coast Guard shipbuilding efforts in Texas. Global Sanctions Crackdown: France intercepts a Russian-linked “shadow fleet” tanker in the Atlantic, ordering it toward France while Russia calls it illegal.