The recent U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management move to establish the High Arctic planning area is a big win for Alaska as it opens the door to offshore oil and gas leasing in federal waters off our northern coast. For a resource-rich state like ours, this means new opportunities to grow our economy, strengthen our communities, and help the U.S. reduce our reliance on foreign energy. It’s a practical step forward that reflects the real-world needs of Alaskans, and we should support it wholeheartedly.

Here’s the truth: the only reason the United States is considered an “Arctic Nation” is because of Alaska. We are one of just eight countries in the world with Arctic territory, and it is solely due to our state’s geography, resources, and people. Arctic Nation status comes with responsibility and opportunity. If the federal government wants to benefit from being an Arctic power, then it’s time they listen to the people who live here and know this region better than anyone.

Alaska must take more control over how our resources are developed. We know how to do it right, and we care more about our land and livelihoods than any agency in Washington ever could. Whether it’s oil, gas, critical minerals, or renewable potential, the decisions about development in Alaska should be led by Alaskans.

Alaska’s prosperity has always been rooted in responsible development of our natural resources. Oil and gas have paid the bills for decades, funding up to 90 percent of our state’s unrestricted General Fund revenues at times. In 2019, the industry brought in over $3.1 billion in state and local taxes and royalties. The High Arctic planning area gives us a chance to build on that legacy

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And we’re talking about real jobs, thousands of them, for hardworking Alaskans. From welders and roughnecks to logistics crews and hotel workers, the ripple effect of development will be felt across the state. North Slope communities like Utqiaġvik and Kaktovik can especially benefit, with new income and opportunities that directly address long-standing unemployment and infrastructure gaps. By putting Alaskans to work on Alaskan projects, we can boost family incomes and help local businesses thrive.

The money generated through leases, royalties, and taxes will help keep Alaska running. Under current law, the state receives a portion of lease sale revenues. That means more funding for schools, roads, clinics, and public safety, especially in rural areas that need it most.

Just look at the impact of the NPR-A Impact Mitigation Grant Program. Revenues from responsible development have helped build real infrastructure in communities that otherwise wouldn’t have the means. We can apply that same model to the High Arctic region. With more oil production, we can also bolster the Permanent Fund, ensuring bigger dividends and long-term fiscal security for the people who live here.

Alaska holds a key piece of the solution to energy-reliance on unstable or hostile nations. The Arctic is home to roughly 13 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30 percent of its natural gas. By developing these resources right here at home, we make our country stronger and less dependent on foreign supplies.

That’s not just good for America; it’s good for Alaska. Strategic development draws federal investment and attention. Projects like the Alaska LNG pipeline become more viable. More infrastructure means better ports, better roads, and more economic churn for our state.

The people of the North Slope know the land and the industry better than anyone. Many have long supported responsible energy development because they understand what it brings: jobs, income, and self-sufficiency. The Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat and village corporations like those in Kaktovik and under ASRC have shown that development and culture can coexist.

Energy revenues help fund schools, clinics, sanitation systems, and housing, necessities that every Alaskan deserves. For over 40 years, Indigenous communities have worked alongside industry to protect subsistence lifestyles while benefiting from oil development. With a seat at the table, they will help shape future projects in ways that reflect their values and vision.

No one cares more about Alaska’s environment than the people who live here. That includes those of us who support resource development. The Arctic is a unique place, and we have the tools to develop it safely. Today’s drilling methods are more precise and lower impact than ever before.

BOEM has a clear regulatory process, and Alaskans have a chance to weigh in. Public comment is part of this plan. Environmental safeguards and wildlife protections are built into every step. We’ve learned from past mistakes, like Shell’s troubled efforts in the Chukchi Sea. This time, we have better technology, smarter planning, and a renewed focus on doing it right.

Some critics will point to failed lease sales or past pullouts from the Arctic. But the High Arctic planning area is not the same. It’s been designed with clearer boundaries, improved jurisdictional clarity, and stronger permitting pathways. Unlike recent federal policies that have limited leasing opportunities, this approach gives Alaska a fair shot to lead.

The world still needs oil and gas. Alaska’s position, especially when it comes to LNG exports to Asia, gives us a competitive edge. We should take advantage of that, responsibly, strategically, and with an eye on long-term gains for our state.

The High Arctic planning area is more than a leasing map; it’s a path toward a stronger, more self-reliant Alaska. It brings jobs, revenue, security, and opportunity. It supports our communities, respects our environment, and reinforces our place in the nation’s energy future.

We are not just another state. Alaska is the Arctic frontier of the United States. We bear the responsibility of that role, and we deserve the authority to guide it. Let’s work together, industry, government, and community, to make the most of this chance. For Alaska, for our children, and for the generations that follow.

Originally published on Substack: https://kevinjmccabe.substack.com/p/the-high-arctic