Alaska Launches First-in-the-Nation Partnership to Fast-Track Resource Permitting
Alaska just became the testing ground for a new national model in resource development. On Wednesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, aiming to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that often delays major projects.
Anchorage Daily News reports,
“Dunleavy signed a memorandum of understanding with Emily Domenech, executive director of the Permitting Council. Under the agreement — the first of its kind in the country — the Alaska Department of Natural Resources will coordinate directly with the Permitting Council to identify projects eligible for fast-tracked permitting.
‘“This is the beginning of what we think is going to be something that the whole country could use,” Dunleavy said at the signing.”
For a state that depends heavily on natural resource development, this partnership could be a game-changer. Mining, oil, and gas projects in Alaska often face years of federal review and approval. By coordinating federal and state permitting efforts, Dunleavy believes investors will see stronger signals that Alaska is open for business.
“We could have had a lot more investment in the state of Alaska, a lot more mining activity if we had a streamlined, quick, understandable permitting process with certainty on timelines and results,” Dunleavy said.
From LNG to critical minerals, Alaska’s resources are essential for meeting America’s energy demands. If this pilot project succeeds, it will not only change permitting in Alaska; it could also transform permitting across the country.
August 28, 2025