Opinion: National security and domestic energy production are closely linked.

Has been updated: 30 few minutes ago release date: 30 few minutes ago

Recent world events are prompting the United States to strengthen its energy and mineral independence, creating opportunities for Alaska to meet our nation’s needs. Given the unpredictability of geopolitics, including Chinese aggression, rising tensions with Russia, and continued unrest in the Middle East, there is an urgent need to boost domestic energy production. My message to leaders in Washington, D.C.: Why not take a look at Alaska? Between its strategic location on the planet, lethal military power, and world-class energy sources, Alaska is key to America’s national security and energy independence.

As a proud U.S. Navy veteran, strengthening our national security remains one of my top priorities in the Alaska House of Representatives. By continuing to pursue all of the above strategies that support domestic energy production and critical mineral development, we will also increase energy independence for Alaska, and for our nation as a whole. Fortunately, these are complementary goals that lawmakers from Juneau to Washington, D.C., can advance simultaneously.

Indeed, the role of U.S. energy and critical mineral development in strengthening national security cannot be overstated. One cannot exist without the other. In Washington, D.C., U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski will advocate on behalf of Alaskans to increase energy independence, advance critical mineral development, and support critical national security initiatives. I’ve been doing it. Senator Sullivan in particular deserves praise for his efforts to advance legislation that will help ensure the independence of America’s critical minerals from China and other adversaries. Together, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Murkowski have made significant progress in ensuring that Alaska has the Congressional and funding resources to support our growing presence in the Arctic.

Alaska has incredible potential as a state to advance all of the energy strategies listed above, including clean energy technologies such as wind and solar power and electric vehicles. Last year alone, about one-third of the state’s total electricity came from clean energy sources. With additional projects on the horizon, such as a large-scale solar farm in the Massu region and an impressive geothermal project in Unalaska, we can ideally expect a robust energy grid that will reduce energy costs for much of the nation’s population. situation.

Juneau has leaders who are passionate about adopting these emerging technologies. Governor Mike Dunleavy has been an outspoken advocate of harnessing Alaska’s diverse energy potential through policy and through his hosting of the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, which enters its third year this spring. I agree with Governor Dunleavy that we will embrace all available options for the benefit of our people.

While this progress is encouraging, it is only the beginning. These new clean resources and technologies require vast quantities of critical minerals. Fortunately, Alaska is rich in these materials, including rich zinc and copper resources in the Ambler Mining District, and the United States has the ability to develop these resources more efficiently and cleanly than any other country in the world. I can.

However, the United States remains overly dependent on foreign adversaries, including China and Russia, to secure critical minerals needed to support emerging clean energy resources and technologies. Given the fact that our country is in the most dangerous period since World War II, there is an urgent need for states and the federal government to work together to implement strategies that promote the development of domestic resources.

Increasing the development of these critical minerals will not only help strengthen and secure America’s clean energy future and national security, but will also create high-wage jobs and support the economy in Alaska and across the nation. , it also helps ensure that we do not financially support the nation. violate human rights.

In the Alaska State Legislature, I am proud to advance common-sense, bipartisan policies that will help ensure a clean Alaska for our children and grandchildren. I was honored that my bill, HB 51, which enables efficient alternatives in the HVAC industry, passed the Alaska General Assembly with near-unanimous support in my first legislative session. It also created the state’s first carbon offset program, expanded the state’s renewable energy grant fund and recommended programs, and established a “green bank” to provide financing opportunities for sustainable energy projects across the state. I was proud to support the proposal. . It is my sincere hope that through these programs and the implementation of new technology, my constituents and Alaskans across our great state will see lower energy costs.

In that same spirit, we look forward to Congress working together to strengthen America’s overall clean energy capacity and national security by supporting the development of critical minerals. Alaska has the resources we need to secure a cleaner energy future and reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries. What we need now is the right policy from Washington, DC, to support that development.

Congressman Stanley Wright Represents District 22 (East Anchorage) in the Alaska House of Representatives.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a wide range of viewpoints.To submit your work for consideration, please send an email Commentary(at)adn.com. Submissions of less than 200 words should be sent to: [email protected] or Click here to submit from any web browser.Read all guidelines for letters and comments here.