HJR 27: A Vision for Alaska’s Energy and Economic Future

Posted

July 31, 2025

Written By

Ky Holland

What is HJR 27?  I introduced House Joint Resolution 27 at the end of the session lays out a bold, unified strategy to advance Alaska’s energy development and long-term economic prosperity. The resolution calls on both state and federal agencies to act decisively to unleash Alaska’s full potential across traditional and emerging industries.

Why It Matters:

  • Rising Energy Costs & Insecurity
    Southcentral Alaska may begin importing gas by 2027. HJR 27 responds with a proactive plan to harness the state’s abundant resources—oil, gas, renewables, and critical minerals—to ensure affordable, reliable energy for all Alaskans.
  • Untapped Potential
    Alaska has over 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, world-class renewable energy capacity (10,000+ gigawatts), and strategic minerals needed for national defense and advanced technologies.
  • All Communities Benefit
    HJR 27 includes rail belt, rural, and indigenous priorities, ensuring every community benefits from energy investments, including local jobs, infrastructure, and training.

What HJR 27 Calls For:

  • A Comprehensive Strategy
    Integrate fossil fuels, renewables, and critical minerals into a long-term energy and economic development framework that supports local manufacturing and exports.
  • Federal Action
    Urge the release of previously approved federal funds and streamline permitting for key projects.
  • Future-Focused Goals by 2035:
    • 1,200 new scalable ventures and jobs
    • 30,000 new working-age residents
    • Energy prices below national averages
    • Over $5 billion in new economic growth
    • Over $400 million in new public revenue
    • Investment in infrastructure: roads, ports, broadband, and utilities

We’ve learned a lot over the course of the last session regarding the maturity of our traditional resource economy as well as the innovative and next generation opportunities of energy and economic development for Alaska and emerging export markets. Throughout session, our opportunity has become clearer, which is why it’s valuable to introduce this resolution; capturing what we’ve learned and fostering further discussion in the interim. I hope you’ll read the full resolution and help me refine it and the next steps to support the policy and funding necessary to build our future economy and opportunities for the next generations of Alaskans.

Ky