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Senate committee chairman presses secretary on Alaska energy, national labs funding and tribal loan program
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Summary
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs questioned the secretary about an Alaska LNG pipeline, urged stronger support for national laboratories, and raised alarms about a proposed reduction in the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program. The secretary said the tribal program has made one loan and reaffirmed interest in projects for remote and tribal communities.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs pressed the secretary during a hearing on whether an Alaska LNG pipeline will be built and on budget proposals affecting national laboratories and the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program.
“Are we gonna build an Alaska LNG pipeline?” the chairman asked. The secretary replied simply, “Yes.”
The chairman told the secretary he had heard from Alaskan leaders and national lab directors about the need to tailor energy solutions to place — distinguishing large export projects, local energy for residents, and small-scale approaches for remote communities. He cited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s work on cold-climate housing as an example of lab support for community-facing technical assistance and asked whether the administration is satisfied with the labs’ budget and priorities.
The secretary said he strongly supports the national labs and is open to increasing their budget in areas he identified as priorities, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing and fusion energy. “They've delivered tremendous value to us throughout their history,” he said, adding that now is a moment to "lean in as much as we can on these large scientific efforts."
Turning to tribal energy, the chairman — who identified himself as chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs — pressed the secretary about a proposed significant reduction to the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program. He asked how the administration can do better to help tribal communities facing “exorbitantly high energy prices.”
The secretary responded that the tribal program’s record has been limited: “In the history of the tribal thing, I think it's made 1 loan. That is it,” he said, calling that outcome "very disappointing." He described any office reorganization as intended to improve performance rather than signal a retreat from tribal energy work and said he would welcome more projects in tribal and remote areas.
The secretary also emphasized the unique economics in Alaska, contrasting pipeline natural gas on an oil-equivalent basis with much higher fuel costs in remote communities. He said remote villages frequently rely on "10-plus dollar diesel," and argued that localized solutions such as solar, wind or micro-hydro — and microgrids where feasible — can cut diesel usage, reduce shipping frequency and lower costs.
The exchange ended with the chairman thanking the secretary and saying he looked forward to working together on these issues. The hearing record shows discussion and commitments to explore options but no formal votes or motions were recorded for the items discussed.
