Alaska LNG Pipeline Touted as Major Energy Export Venture
The Trump administration is stepping up efforts to revive the long-stalled Alaska LNG project, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressing strong confidence in its future during an on-the-ground interview in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
Appearing on CNBC, Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the proposed $44 billion Alaska LNG project as a “tremendous opportunity” for both domestic energy use and natural gas exports to Asia. The project would transport natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope—where large volumes are currently flared or reinjected due to a lack of infrastructure—through a new pipeline to a planned liquefaction terminal in Nikiski, on the state’s southern coast.
“Natural gas is the fastest growing energy source on the planet,” Wright noted. “Alaska has a huge amount of it—and no way to move it.”
Domestic and International Goals
Wright emphasized the twin benefits of the project: supplying affordable energy to Alaskans while positioning the U.S. as a reliable supplier to Asian markets. Alaskan cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks are facing high energy costs and population decline, he said. The pipeline would help power local mines and attract industries such as data centers to the state.
At the same time, Wright stressed the project’s strategic location. With a six-day sailing time to Japan or Korea, Alaskan LNG could be a direct, dependable energy source for U.S. allies in Asia. Delegations from Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines even joined the visit to Prudhoe Bay—an indication of growing international interest.
Can the Economics Work?
Critics have long questioned the economics of the Alaska LNG project, given its high price tag and decades of delay. Wright acknowledged those concerns but pointed out that the main cost lies in the liquefaction terminals—which would be similar in cost whether built in Alaska or the Gulf Coast. The unique challenge is the pipeline itself, but that hurdle is eased by the existing oil pipeline corridor, which could be mirrored. A final investment decision will depend on securing committed “off-takers”—buyers from Asia willing to purchase gas long-term. Wright suggested those discussions are already in motion.
Energy Trade and the Bigger Picture
Asked about trade and tariffs, Wright said they are not a central factor but acknowledged the broader geopolitical relevance. “Countries want to shrink their trade deficit with the U.S.,” he said. “A very easy way to do that is to buy more American energy.”
The Alaska LNG project sits at the intersection of energy security, trade diplomacy, and industrial policy—core themes of the Trump administration’s energy agenda. If financing and international partnerships come together, it could mark a major step forward in exporting U.S. energy power from its western frontier.