Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said his state has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council aimed at streamlining federal reviews for major infrastructure projects.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), announced earlier this week, creates a framework for cooperation under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST-41. That federal law is designed to shorten permitting timelines, improve transparency, and provide predictability for projects spanning sectors including energy, mining, transportation, broadband and advanced manufacturing.

“This agreement is another step toward unlocking Alaska’s full potential,” Dunleavy said in a statement. “For too long, federal bureaucracy has delayed responsible resource and infrastructure development within our state. With this agreement, Alaska will have a seat at the table to ensure that federal agencies work hand in hand with the state to deliver timely and transparent permitting decisions.”

The move makes Alaska the first state to formally partner with the permitting council.

Emily Domenech, the council’s executive director, said the deal would help shift attention back to the state’s resource potential, noting that an "tabundance of energy and infrastructure projects" would be able to gain access to streamlined permitting.

“Our team is ready to work with Governor Dunleavy to bring Alaska back into the energy spotlight, ending the neglect of the Biden Administration and bringing Alaska’s incredible natural resources to the rest of the world.”

Under the agreement, Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources will identify eligible projects and coordinate with the council to engage developers and share regulatory expertise. The council, in turn, will track timelines on the Federal Permitting Dashboard and coordinate federal reviews.

Dunleavy said the deal aligned with the resource development agenda championed by President Donald Trump. “Alaska is heavily reliant on cooperation with the federal government and its agencies. The FAST-41 process is critical to shorten timelines and add certainty to permitting,” he said.