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Part Four of Four

Alaska has been incredibly lucky, but...

Times are changing.

North Slope oil production has fueled the economy for 40 years, bringing prosperity to every corner of the state. But the easy-to-reach oil is running out.

Alaskans have worked to diversify away from oil,
but with only limited success.

Fortunately there are billions of barrels of oil still in the ground. But they will be harder to produce and so will generate less profit for industry and less revenue for state government. Marketing our natural gas will also be challenging and expensive. And revenues from gas will be only a fraction of those from oil at today’s prices.

The good news is that producing this hard to reach oil will create sustaining jobs and new business opportunities for Alaskans—if we make the right decisions.

As we look toward a post Prudhoe Bay future, we have a choice of two paths:

A slow decline

Down this path, we manage Alaska’s natural resources to generate short-term benefits only for the current generation of Alaskans. We take for granted industry investment in new, productive activities but do not actively encourage it, so that investment declines. The economy slowly winds down and is punctuated by unpleasant periodic shocks as the state’s competitive advantages disappear.

Along the road...

  • New job opportunities disappear
  • Existing businesses struggle
  • Young Alaskans leave
  • Property values fall
  • Infrastructure crumbles
  • Public services erode

At the end of the road

Alaska: older and poorer

Stability & sustained growth

Along this path, Alaska’s natural resources are managed to generate steady, long-term gains for current and future generations. Alaskans trade off some short-term benefits for investments that build future economic strength. Industry investments are concentrated where they can make a real difference, with petroleum continuing to play a central role. The economy grows steadily.

Along the road...

  • New jobs for young Alaskans
  • Businesses thrive with new opportunities
  • Kids stay in Alaska
  • Property values increase
  • Infrastructure secure
  • Public services maintained

At the end of the road

Alaska: dynamic and prosperous

What can I do?

Ask questions, and support a plan to get us on the path to sustained economic stability and growth. Only your positive action will make it happen!

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