U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan from Alaska has secured a commitment from Adam Telle, the nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to prioritize the Port of Nome project. This port is considered crucial as it would be the first deep-draft Arctic port in the United States. Sullivan emphasized Alaska’s strategic importance in countering Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic region.
“The Port of Nome has bipartisan support,” stated Sen. Sullivan, highlighting its significance for national security. He sought assurance from Telle to collaborate on advancing this project.
Telle acknowledged the strategic importance of Alaska, stating, “This is an area of the world that the Chinese Communist Party is very interested in. The Russians are very active.” He expressed his commitment to working with Sullivan and others to promote Alaska’s role as a key point for U.S. presence in the Arctic.
During an EPW hearing, Sen. Sullivan also referenced President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential.” This directive aims to remove barriers hindering critical projects in Alaska, including the Port of Nome.
Sullivan further discussed challenges faced by development projects in Alaska due to opposition from environmental groups and past administrative actions. He praised President Trump’s executive order for its provisions facilitating development efforts.
Adam Telle assured his commitment to abide by this order if confirmed: “Senator Sullivan, absolutely… I tattooed the executive order that the President issued on Alaska on my heart.”
Sullivan reiterated the importance of having an Arctic port capable of accommodating Navy ships and icebreakers: “We don’t have a port in the Arctic right now that can handle Navy ships and icebreakers.”
Telle agreed on Alaska’s strategic significance: “It seems to me that if we’re going to be an Arctic nation, that Alaska ought to be one of the key launching points of that force projection and power projection and economic projection.”
