Brandon Carcaterra
Updated: 16 minutes ago Published: 16 minutes ago
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Our delegation just returned from the White House for a meeting with the Biden Administration, and what we discussed on that visit is worth sharing. Alaska’s economy is doing better than it has in years, thanks to federal infrastructure investment and booming energy development, and that’s in large part thanks to federal leadership from our bipartisan congressional delegation and Administration. But we cannot rest on our laurels, because we still have a lot of work to do to develop our resources, protect America from Russian and Chinese aggression, and keep our economy as competitive as possible. I thank Rep. Mary Peltola and the entire congressional delegation for urging the White House to put the voice of Alaskans first.
Among the Alaskans who visited the White House were business and union leaders working in construction, communications and other industries. We met with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, whose department is leading the effort on surface transportation improvements funded through the bipartisan Infrastructure Act. This legislation, authored in large part by Senator Lisa Murkowski, will greatly benefit Alaska by expanding investments in our roads, airports and marine highway systems. We also discussed the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) with Secretary Buttigieg. When the state submitted multiple STIP proposals that were seriously flawed, our lawmakers worked closely with unions, the Alaska General Contractors Association and the U.S. Department of Transportation to fix STIP and continue to invest in Alaska's transportation projects. We need solutions like this.
Energy is one of the most important areas that will need continued leadership from the federal government. As a construction union, we have already benefited greatly from the Willow project that the Biden Administration approved. We have met at the White House to discuss continued oil development with Biden Administration Economist Gene Sperling and other senior Administration officials. Over the past year, Alaska workers have worked 350,000 more hours, an increase of nearly 20%, partly because of Willow and partly because of increased federal investments in highways and energy. More hours mean more money in Alaskans’ pockets, which in turn means more spending to support local small businesses. We will continue to advocate for the Alaska National Petroleum Reserve project to continue moving forward, because energy production in Alaska means American energy security.
Fortunately, we're already making great strides on the energy side of our grid. Alaska is one of the top five states in the nation for investments through the GRIP program. We've received a $200 million federal grant to improve the grid from Bradley Lake on the Kenai Peninsula to the Mat-Su, and the utility is working on applying for another grant to fund improvements up to Healy. Grid improvements are essential to get the cheapest power to where the demand is. We can't build cheaper generation without improving the grid to move power up and down the rail belt. I want to thank Rep. Peltola and Sen. Murkowski, who have been integral in championing GRIP and bringing these investments to Alaska.
America needs Alaska energy, and Alaskans need energy for economic development and to fund services from schools to police. We are making progress strengthening our economy with oil and gas, electric transmission, and transportation investments. Our union sees the benefits of investment in more hours and higher wages. Let's keep up this good work and continue our advocacy in Washington DC working with our bipartisan congressional delegation.
Brandon Calcaterra is president of Local 341, a labor union that represents Alaskans in the construction, oil and gas, health care and service sectors.
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