[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",5981026,"mediaKeyId","5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38","parentId",5792724,"title","Tongass timber industry urges long‑term stability after repeated policy shifts","audioSeconds",240,"startMs",8316000,"endMs",8556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38&start=8316&end=8556","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38/thumbnail_8316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5981026/Tongass-timber-industry-urges-longterm-stability-after-repeated-policy-shifts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981026-cdbe3ba3e06d126f21f11b7a620a45c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457799&Signature=dJIk0Cemzbka5M6Ztt-AWChO~NhteKXqLU9SEFTYF7oZiSTd4xNFjJ5BNzSXEU-KArurA69MCX7DYpiWpwqAQthFZmeJIOkRbrkXou6Q765MAalSEeJUU3lMyFn5n6AaLdf9lBle4zDHYQJxeEwepqXEWx0mnGufHnXndY9bXjF5eUjc6dZpF-8kiZ5g5nVZye2QtHikOD5Uil0unf~nIif7H6K~eyFEiK2BslhlDrtguRMNffSscW7WpPx1phtW0H5~ro3VW0SdxxmGFo8houH~fnNGEUbhqIDgLmKKFi0cpzqoG1~CyCUhng1vs~kDR1hz0wsft-8OoX0jNj4r~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources","date","2025-09-17T05:27:16Z","article","Clarence Clark, owner of Southeast Alaska Resources and a witness for the Alaska Forest Association, told a House Natural Resources subcommittee that Southeast Alaska's Tongass National Forest is largely in federal ownership and that only a small fraction of the forest is currently available for timber harvest under existing plans.

Lede: Clark said the Tongass contains about 16.8 million acres, roughly 66% of which is roadless; he told the committee the forest plan currently designates about 360,000 acres as suitable and available for harvest under the plan, representing roughly 2% of the forest base for timber harvest.

Nut graf: The witness described repeated planning and rule changes over the last two decades that, he said, have reduced timber sale quantities from historical levels and discouraged long‑term investment. He urged Congress to provide statutory stability to replace executive orders and frequent administrative reversals.

Details: Clark said the forest plan's projected annual timber sale quantity is about 46 million board feet while recent offered volumes averaged about 2.5 million board feet per year; industry harvests in recent years totaled about 11.6 million board feet over a five‑year period, he said. He argued that Southeast Alaska timber provides high‑grade specialty products used by the defense and high‑end manufacturing sectors and recommended that Congress enact durable law to provide a predictable supply and to support stewardship contracting and shared‑stewardship agreements.

Ending: Clark urged long‑term policy certainty and continuing federal‑state partnerships to sustain timber‑dependent communities and specialty wood markets; committee members asked for further briefings and written materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of Southeast Alaska forestry testified that decades of shifting federal rules have constrained timber supply and investment, leaving the industry operating well below historic harvest levels and seeking statutory stability rather than frequent executive changes.","taxTitle","Natural Resources: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1983,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},5981031,"Alaska mining industry urges permitting reform, cites high wages and rural jobs",265,2522000,2787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38&start=2522&end=2787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38/thumbnail_2522000.jpg","/articles/5981031/Alaska-mining-industry-urges-permitting-reform-cites-high-wages-and-rural-jobs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981031-ead986ad692a1eb68e67a1055748e860/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457799&Signature=TChm2lP0FmsxPl8hKYJB6KnKme4kcu4QVPsaHMYRB4FAizaTyvI7tEUhyfvP7qcix2kt9JiiHTUyrFQjSqKAt9uLZnABakUUpRmneE3fEj-XFyx8U4bPGd31n5nkrEF-DM40E3SU~0oaM4bnLZ1tRgvtoF2HYppl6E7g9Rgexzn9o8Kt5sG7OYnBrApscqSQbfTYsYMalqA-uX9EISZbsDr1r9XvB3rScrUwlDKl1C6zyfmNhky8E8YKNxnxrubYdwQdwtanjnPXKhpkmoazaShy~YXov8mbCJrsDJX5Lm1PYhA56F8ZIOVIe83pcCdr5LiZRSsPtqW5Ke4bSZGi2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deantha Skibinski, executive director of the Alaska Miners Association, and industry advisers told a House Natural Resources subcommittee that mining already provides high wages, family businesses (placer operations) and significant state and local revenue, and that federal permitting processes are a key bottleneck to bringing new projects online.

Lede: \"In 2024, the Alaska mining industry paid an average wage of $123,000,\" Skibinski said during her testimony, adding that mines employed workers across more than 80 Alaska communities and paid local and state revenues.

Nut graf: Industry witnesses argued that permitting delays, duplicative reviews and national policy uncertainty discourage investment in projects needed for domestic supply chains of critical minerals, and they welcomed administration and committee attention to executive orders and statutory measures intended to identify federal lands suitable for development.

Details: Skibinski described a diverse mining sector that ranges from small multigenerational placer operations to large‑scale mines. She cited figures including roughly 12,000 jobs and more than $1 billion in annual revenue for the mining sector (testimony figures). Industry witnesses recommended policy steps such as parallelizing agency reviews, tailoring mitigation rules to Alaska's wetland contexts and sustaining programs that fund early‑stage exploration.

On investment: Clark Penny, who manages capital and advises resource projects, said government signals — including coherent demand commitments and use of Defense Production Act authorities — could de‑risk projects and attract private capital to develop U.S. critical mineral capacity.

Ending: The witnesses urged Congress to combine permitting reforms, federal funding for early exploration and strategic procurement to incentivize investment; the committee requested written materials and specific examples for the record.","Testimony from the Alaska Miners Association and industry advisers at a House hearing emphasized mining's economic role in Alaska and called for permitting and regulatory reforms to bring projects to production and secure domestic critical mineral supply chains.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},5981036,"North Slope Inupiat leader urges seat at policy table as federal rules shift",284,2209000,2493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38&start=2209&end=2493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38/thumbnail_2209000.jpg","/articles/5981036/North-Slope-Inupiat-leader-urges-seat-at-policy-table-as-federal-rules-shift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981036-dc68e35b274ae31d96ba0861993d63f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457799&Signature=g5amVjWdCHiXBxdif4DPtBsUhDfcJu7DKphlus7pSMHlwHiZFL3188Odcd2zKmAHLAnB3hOqT~uMosJLig0-fY-Pm-eo8WvrVX9R6wIfGy5EAdOHRDexUK0ZD9DSzyXOuicxD0O1wrleMWcpwzU2nQr1h-YqY5sbBNzsd98DwNa~COrrGayJMvnQ3VPSg9oKPoiEGTsz~25w9kXw6iZzHg-UlLNMsznqcA8hO8yN0xjaEh9W3UI97EuYboUD-oCMfqI5byE6QM9SJ6Z-ztL0T3FVUZxadia1Vq8OZMjOMdyt0NaKm8FcJpt2yg7L4KtTc37c1W6S1q-tyD7IuiwagA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nogaruk Harcharik (testimony name used in the hearing), president of the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, testified that the North Slope's eight communities and their subsistence livelihoods have been affected by past federal policies and that recent federal decisions were sometimes announced to communities by the media rather than through direct coordination.

Lede: \"The desire for self determination on the part of the people who wish to exercise that right should not be denied by those that govern,\" Harcharik quoted, asking for a stronger partnership between federal agencies and empowered local leaders.

Nut graf: Harcharik described decades of policy shifts — from the creation of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska and ANCSA to recent federal cancellations of leases in NPR-A and other regulatory actions — and asked that Alaskan Indigenous leaders be included earlier and consistently in policy decisions that affect their lands and economies.

Details: He said prior North Slope investments supported modern services and contributed to a reported rise in life expectancy when tax revenue from local resource development was reinvested. He welcomed administration outreach that included cabinet‑level visits to the North Slope, but said durable, consistent policy and meaningful consultation remain necessary.

Discussion and context: Committee members asked Harcharik to explain his claim that coordination was required under federal law; he replied that required coordination had in his view not occurred. Harcharik also emphasized that subsistence and development need not be a zero‑sum choice and that local leaders should help weigh tradeoffs.

Ending: Harcharik invited members to a panel briefing on the North Slope and asked the committee to respect local decision‑making authority while pursuing any future resource projects.","The elected leader of a North Slope Inupiat organization told a House subcommittee that inconsistent federal actions in recent years — including lease cancellations and rule changes — harmed local planning and that future development must include meaningful consultation and respect for subsistence ways of life.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},5981042,"Port Heiden leader urges federal help to finish village renewable energy projects",351,2797000,3148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38&start=2797&end=3148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38/thumbnail_2797000.jpg","/articles/5981042/Port-Heiden-leader-urges-federal-help-to-finish-village-renewable-energy-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981042-d0d89d38b99aa4b29647903a0d4fc7bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457799&Signature=EQ8~rMJt5aIxpx-QEm10IdzB7HPYJQiG7qn8wqEgeIEefFvC4a9uahukeqRCmS9GDQeSsRmzYhcFXgN7tgcL1TXqzcKzl3IXDyIsY7j5WX3PEpk0XzK5Abn81130hZ-BWfhvqFlN5zINO4gQ4KW8rIAJKqiA4m83UZn~zz0Zt9IX9C7D~hFodGOa4cPsXi1IosDgbmICuuuFiWS62CKd4RxXedsneU2QVgsk9qPF4ak5NRU5l~Fe0fYKrNr1C0Z-A58r67k23E-dXSWgRRUh7T39D5umT3Er1SWOcM8XHdHcLc6-1SrR0RMmcQJ~zA0HlRnHM7--F6u8qVZJp2~KDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Christiansen, president of the Native Village of Port Heiden, told a House Natural Resources subcommittee that his Bristol Bay community is paying about $7.49 per gallon for diesel and spent roughly $900,000 on fuel in 2024. He said a community energy project — a mix of wind, solar and a one‑megawatt battery — won federal grants but is stalled because tariffs and related costs have left already‑purchased equipment stranded in Canada.

Lede: \"When our generator breaks down, families are left in the cold,\" Christiansen said, describing how a single generator repair cost his village $350,000. He said the local electric base rate runs about 75 cents per kilowatt‑hour, roughly three times the Anchorage rate.

Nut graf: Christiansen urged Congress to protect previously awarded grants and to consider tariff relief or direct assistance to complete the project so Port Heiden can replace expensive diesel with locally generated renewable power, reopen a salmon processing plant and stabilize the local economy.

Details: Christiansen said run‑of‑river hydro, wind and solar could meet much of the village's needs; studies cited in testimony said renewables could supply about 75% of the community’s power. He also described how new tariffs increased delivery costs by an estimated $300,000 to $1,500,000 (testimony provided differing initial and updated estimates), leaving paid equipment unavailable in a Canadian warehouse. \"We don't need more studies. We need Congress to protect the commitments already made and help us finish what we started,\" he said.

Discussion and questions: Members of the subcommittee asked how a proposed Alaska LNG pipeline or ANWR development would affect Port Heiden; Christiansen replied that major pipeline projects would not lower his community's costs because they do not reach western Alaska. Lawmakers also asked about the community's plans to use run‑of‑river hydropower and how lower costs would allow the salmon plant to reopen and create jobs.

Ending: Christiansen asked for targeted federal assistance so the community can bring home equipment, operate a processing plant, expand local jobs and maintain subsistence ways of life; committee members requested written follow‑up for technical and funding details.","John Christiansen, president of the Native Village of Port Heiden, told a House Natural Resources subcommittee that high diesel costs and cancelled federal grants have stalled a locally‑led wind, solar and battery project, and he asked Congress for tariff relief or direct assistance to bring paid equipment home.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},5981047,"House hearing spotlights push to expand oil, gas and critical mineral development in Alaska",814,934000,1748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38&start=934&end=1748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792724-a76eb31a754d43146d324b28ebb70a38/thumbnail_934000.jpg","/articles/5981047/House-hearing-spotlights-push-to-expand-oil-gas-and-critical-mineral-development-in-Alaska","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981047-aa0dd437819ad6c32cd9f9eb83c36a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457799&Signature=YFrdXHYy4jl1g-8jDkybqKytkJ5-oCWz5CkEHOIY7y~qoZjL2wX6FcEAmsMrARKq5c5kCKzSKfkZmEb4ZJmO9XsEY6JYKdpDbTV3nIxVBVVpLoh9xY9SiOmGQyXTPuL1OqfMwzMykFfGsuARpNJ13nMAmVTIDPIrW9vc~XrU2zhOcHS6SE0SxAtBcC5K-suAb5zOmLI5nHmFHYt0jVicWioy5fAxyni3-3ylSFZ8BqfkW85~2tHXnho3Hn5dEbMTOFwDFmN-yXg4F~Q7Nt5PetVIzomaAeEkvrOjYNaSVwUvbnx6Smm2miJXN4brFdjTt0nnt9rLoLdy3QHQuGk32g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Gosar convened a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing in Washington to examine what supporters called steps to \"unleash Alaska's extraordinary resource potential,\" focusing on oil and gas, mining and critical minerals. Witnesses from Alaska and members of Congress described recent executive orders, a Congressional Review Act resolution and other federal actions intended to open lands for development and to speed permitting.

Supporters said the policy changes matter because Alaska contains large deposits of oil, gas and minerals that could supply U.S. industry and defense needs. \"Alaska has known quantities of 49 critical minerals. No other state can say this,\" testified Clark Penny of Penny Capital, urging federal signals to reduce investment risk. Deantha Skibinski, executive director of the Alaska Miners Association, told the subcommittee that Alaska's mining sector pays high wages, operates across more than 80 communities and contributes state and local revenues; she urged permitting changes to make projects feasible.

Why it matters: proponents argued faster permitting and clearer federal policy would attract private capital, create jobs in rural communities and reduce strategic reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals. Chairman Westerman and other Republican members framed recent executive orders and the House resolution as necessary to reverse prior agency actions that they said had \"locked up\" millions of acres and delayed projects.

At the same time, ranking members and several witnesses cautioned that development decisions must account for local impacts, subsistence rights and environmental risk. Representative Dexter and other Democrats raised the economics of some fossil-fuel projects and warned of climate and community harms in places already experiencing erosion and warming. Multiple Alaska witnesses — including tribal leaders and Alaska native corporation representatives — emphasized that federal policies should include sustained consultation with local communities.

Details and debate: witnesses identified specific federal items raised in testimony, including executive orders described as focusing on Alaska energy and resource development and a House resolution reported to repeal a Central Yukon resource management plan; the hearing record also referenced ongoing discussions about projects such as the Alaska LNG proposals, Ambler Road and lease access in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPRA) and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Several witnesses pressed for permitting reforms that would reduce duplicative, sequential agency reviews and enable parallel agency work to shorten project timelines.

Next steps: committee members asked witnesses for written follow-ups and technical details; the subcommittee left the hearing record open for questions and directed that follow-up be submitted to the clerk. No committee motion or vote on substantive project approvals occurred at the hearing; speakers described executive orders and congressional actions already taken or proposed.

Ending: the hearing captured sharply different views about Alaska's future—between speakers who urged rapid development and those who emphasized environmental risks and community priorities—and highlighted a central question for Congress: how to balance faster permitting and strategic resource goals with local rights, environmental safeguards and long-term economic benefit for Alaskans.","Lawmakers and Alaska stakeholders at a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing debated federal steps to open more Alaska land to resource development, emphasizing jobs, national security and permitting reform while acknowledging environmental and Indigenous concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tongass timber industry urges long‑term stability after repeated policy shifts

Alaska mining industry urges permitting reform, cites high wages and rural jobs

North Slope Inupiat leader urges seat at policy table as federal rules shift

Port Heiden leader urges federal help to finish village renewable energy projects

House hearing spotlights push to expand oil, gas and critical mineral development in Alaska