Frigid progress in Alaska Arctic: infrastructure development inches forward.

AuthorSwann, Kirsten
PositionSPECIAL SECTION: Building Alaska

The prospect of economic growth and infrastructure development in the Alaska Arctic remains the subject of all kinds of attention: media headlines, government studies and spending, and industry investment.

In March 2013, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its first report on a three-year study covering a potential deep-draft Arctic port system. In the July/ August issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, Arctic Circle co-founder Scott Borgerson wrote that Anchorage could one day become a Singapore of the north in terms of shipping and commercial potential.

In 2014, the Alaska Legislature passed a bill creating an official Arctic infrastructure development program and fund within the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. In November 2014, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce hosted a forward-looking forum on Arctic port and infrastructure development, including representatives from Shell, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Foss Maritime Company, and the US Coast Guard.

Then, in January, the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission released its final report to the Alaska Legislature, making recommendations on topics ranging from port construction to disaster response. Meanwhile, work continues at oil and gas infrastructure developments along the North Slope. There's progress at Point Thomson, a new production and processing facility owned jointly by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and CES Oilfield Services at Mustang Field, and hundreds of millions of dollars in investment by ConocoPhillips at Kuparuk, among other projects.

But can the reality of Arctic development meet expectations?

Between the economic demands of large-scale infrastructure projects and the relative unknown future of Arctic environmental changes, many industry leaders and regional stakeholders remain cautious.

"We have to be realistic," says Matt Ganley, vice president of resources and external affairs at BSNC. "So much talk has been based on speculation."

Communications

When it comes to Arctic infrastructure, there are numerous ongoing projects and yet-to-be-realized proposals: a deep-draft port; enhanced communications; improved and expanded facilities for the US Coast Guard. What rises to the top?

For Bering Straits, regional tribal entities, lawmakers, and commercial groups alike, communications infrastructure remains a large priority.

"We need better and faster and more reliable communication," says Ganley, who believes improved communication infrastructure could help the region's residents become more engaged in other aspects of Arctic development. "For them to be involved effectively, it's all about media and being involved in the process online, so it's really important to get that speed up."

In late 2014, about two dozen Alaska businesses, tribal organizations, and other groups submitted written comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding a federal telecommunications assessment of the Arctic.

The stakeholders shared similar messages: The telecommunications administration needs to expand its "narrow" definition of Arctic regions, and communications infrastructure is the first step toward developing other projects, like ports and Coast Guard bases. Ron Philemonoff, CEO of the St. Paul Island-based Tanadgusix Corporation, said the remote nature and geographical challenges of the Alaska Arctic made communications infrastructure all the more important.

"Another key recommendation that we endorse is to prioritize rapid development of broadband access that improves current service levels by reaching all locations as quickly as possible using satellite and...

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