Dear Alaskans,
October is finally here, and fall is in full swing! I am very proud that this week, we accomplished much for Alaska. I wanted to take a moment to update you on my continued work on behalf of the families in our state. Please take a moment to read my Washington Report, and share it with your friends and family. As always, should you have any questions or concerns about legislation before Congress, do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Don Young
Congressman for All Alaska
Securing a Presidential Permit for the Alaska to Alberta (A2A) Railroad
At my request, President Trump has officially signed the Presidential Permit authorizing the construction of the Alaska to Alberta (A2A) railroad! A2A rail links Alaska to Alberta, Canada, with the goal of transporting oil, minerals, and other commodities. I have been working closely with the President, his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, senior White House officials, and Senator Dan Sullivan. all year to secure this critical permit. A2A intends to begin work immediately, and the project is expected to provide thousands of jobs for Alaskans.
The A2A project represents tremendous potential, not only for our economy but for the delivery of affordable energy for American families. I have been an outspoken supporter of this project because it means good-paying jobs for Alaskans. I will continue to support A2A to its completion, and will be doing everything within my power to cut through red tape and bureaucracy. I have always said that in Congress, relationships are important. I was proud to serve with Mark Meadows in the House, and our working relationship continues to prove beneficial in his role as White House Chief of Staff. To learn more and read the full permit signed by President Trump, click here.
Protecting our Oceans for Generations to Come
This week, I helped the House pass the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. I introduced this legislation earlier this Congress, and its passage is good news for our oceans and the vulnerable species that call them home. Every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into our ocean. This is unsustainable, and using my position as House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, I took action to clean up and protect our waters for generations to come. Save Our Seas 2.0 builds on the successes that were previously signed into law with the original Save Our Seas Act, by combating marine debris through improved plastics research and by funding critical infrastructure improvements.
Countless Alaskan families earn a living on the water; clean oceans are not just an environmental issue, but an economic one as well. I am sincerely grateful to my friend and Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici for fighting alongside me on behalf of marine life. Our Senator Dan Sullivan has been a strong leader on this issue, and I am confident that he will help shepherd this bill through the Senate so that we can send it to the President to be signed into law. Click here or on the image above to watch my full speech from the House Floor in support of our bill, and click here to learn more about Save Our Seas 2.0.
Restoring Buffalo Populations on Tribal Lands
My legislation to restore buffalo populations on tribal lands was unanimously passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee this week! The American buffalo, a North American species of bison, once roamed freely across the U.S., and served an important role for Native communities. Historically, bison were a reliable source of food, shelter, clothing, and economic mobility for Indigenous peoples across the American west. The decimation of the buffalo that began in the mid-19th century significantly impacted the Native communities that depended on these majestic creatures.
I am proud to have introduced the Indian Buffalo Management Act with my good friend, Congresswoman Deb Haaland, and I am grateful to my colleagues for supporting its passage out of committee. This is a very good bill with broad support. Input and collaboration with Alaska Native and Indigenous organizations, in addition to countless tribes has been integral to our efforts to protect vital to Native cultural, spiritual, and subsistence traditions. This bill is an important step to restoring once-vibrant buffalo herds, and I will keep working to ensure its passage on the House Floor. Click here to learn more.
Jobs and Opportunity for Southeast
The next step in securing an exemption from the Roadless Rule for the Tongass National Forest is here! The National Forest Service recently released the Final EIS for a Roadless Rule exemption, bringing us one step closer to a more sustainable economy for Southeast.
For years, I have said that the one-size-fits-all Roadless Rule was a disaster for Alaska. This Congress, I have been working closely with the President and senior White House staff to secure a Roadless Rule exemption for the Tongass. Not only has the Roadless Rule put an unconscionable economic and social burden on Southeast Alaska, it also violates ANILCA and the ‘no more’ clause by locking up land from the people of Alaska. The release of the final EIS for Roadless Rule is incredible news for our state and our economy, particularly in Southeast.
I want to thank the Administration for working with me, our Congressional Delegation, Governor Dunleavy, and, most importantly, for listening to Alaskans. An exemption will not only bring great economic benefit to Alaska, but will also help bolster the long-term health of the Tongass National Forest. I look forward to continuing to fight on behalf of our state’s right to manage our own resources. Click here to read more.
Securing Alaska's Renewable Energy Future
My legislation, the Water Power Research and Development Act, has passed the House! Water power programs within the Department of Energy are essential for supporting renewable resources. The state of Alaska has tremendous hydroelectric potential, and these programs provide our rural and remote communities with new opportunities to obtain reliable and affordable hydropower. Alaska is rich in oil, but if our state's economy is to survive well into the future, we must diversify our energy portfolio. Harnessing our state's hydropower is not only good for our economy; it directly helps the people of our great state.
I have long supported utilizing Alaska’s vast hydropower capabilities, and was proud to support projects such as the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Plant and the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project; we must continue this momentum. Supporting these programs is critical for our ability to deploy hydropower, pumped storage and marine energy projects, and related transmission infrastructure into low-income, economically distressed, underserved, and rural communities. Read more about my bill by clicking here.
Fiscal Stability for the University of Alaska
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every area of our daily lives, including our economy. One critical way we can help Alaskans bounce back from these unprecedented times is to help our universities in their goal of providing high-quality education to the young people of our great state. This week, I introduced legislation to help ensure fiscal stability for the University of Alaska. The University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act is an important piece of legislation to provide this essential institution with the resources necessary to support our students. Our state is well-known for being able to balance resource development with environmental protection, and the University of Alaska should be empowered to responsibly utilize their lands for the benefit of students. I am grateful for the support of both the Alaska Delegation and Governor Dunleavy, and will continue working to secure a bright future for future generations of Alaskans. Click here to learn more.
