Begich cites $163M Alaska oil lease sale as proof federal certainty drives investment

U.S. Representative Nick Begich pointed to a record-breaking National Petroleum Reserve Alaska lease sale Thursday as proof that federal policy certainty drives energy investment.

Nine successful bidders placed high bids on 187 tracts covering more than 1.3 million acres and generating over $163 million in bids, Begich said during remarks at the 2026 Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. "That is a clear market signal. It is also proof that when the federal government creates certainty, investment follows," he said.

Begich framed Alaska energy production as central to national security at a time when global instability threatens energy markets and supply chains. Energy security affects fuel prices, home heating costs, manufacturing, military readiness, and America's geopolitical leverage abroad, he said.

"If America cannot reliably produce its own energy, process its own critical minerals, and secure its own supply chains, then we risk becoming dependent on countries that do not share our common interests or values," Begich said. "We cannot outsource our energy future to foreign adversaries."

Alaska is central to that equation, Begich said. He cited Alaska LNG, critical minerals and geothermal as key components of the state's energy future alongside oil and gas production.

The congressman identified federal permitting delays as one of the biggest obstacles facing American energy development. Projects spend years, sometimes decades, trapped in permitting delays, litigation, and bureaucratic paralysis, he said.

Begich has supported permitting reform efforts like the SPEED Act, legislation designed to restore transparency, predictability, and accountability to the federal permitting process. "Permitting reform is not about eliminating environmental safeguards. It is about creating a process that is predictable, efficient, and timely," he said.

The National Petroleum Reserve was established for one purpose, energy production in support of America's strategic energy security, Begich said. He argued that America needs a diverse energy portfolio including natural gas, hydropower, geothermal, and next-generation nuclear technologies.

Begich said he believes the country can achieve reliability, affordability and environmental stewardship together through innovation, modern infrastructure and common-sense policy.

He highlighted geothermal energy as an area where Alaska can lead. He recently introduced the bipartisan Geopower Act to accelerate next-generation geothermal development. Geothermal provides reliable baseload power that runs 24 hours a day and strengthens grid stability, he said.

"Our infrastructure and energy projects must move at the speed of the modern economy," Begich said. "Because we cannot build it if we cannot permit it."