AIDEA board to close doors on ANWR, Ambler, Port MacKenzie, and other matters July 8

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority board meets Wednesday, July 8, at 9 a.m. via Zoom, with an agenda that includes an executive session covering ANWR, Ambler, Port MacKenzie, AKAF, and AIDEA legislative matters.

The agenda designates the executive session for confidential and deliberative matters related to those projects, as well as matters subject to attorney-client privilege. No public record of what is discussed will be released unless the board takes a subsequent public vote. In public new business, the board will also consider Resolution G26-08 regarding the Due Diligence Fund.

The closed-door session comes less than five weeks after AIDEA posted a June 5 press release announcing it had acquired additional leases in ANWR's 1002 area. AIDEA Executive Director Randy Ruaro said at a May conference that the board had approved nearly $400 million in project commitments over roughly nine months. "ADA board has approved nearly $400 million out in the last probably 9 months for a number of projects. Alyeskem, ANWR, Ambler Road," he said.

Ruaro also described the agency's work at Port MacKenzie. "AIDA is working on with some partner corporations, the railroad and others, on establishing and growing the Port McKenzie Railport. That would be an export terminal site for the Ambler Metals, Ambler Minerals, other minerals, and also a site where incoming freight could come in."

The Northern Alaska Environmental Center opposes AIDEA advancing Arctic Refuge spending and actions, arguing that public resources are being directed to a contested project without adequate public accountability.

Alaskans who want to weigh in must submit written comments to [email protected] by 4 p.m. on July 7. The public can also join the meeting live via Zoom or by calling 1-253-215-8782 (Webinar ID: 83177916017). Callers who wish to make a public comment should press *9 after roll call and agenda approval. AIDEA also allows the public to sign up by email for notifications when the board returns to public session from executive session.