The Bering Task Force, Arctic Energy and their through-line Impacts at 64.5 ˚North

In the vast expanse of Arctic policy, two key initiatives not only parallel but weave: The Bering Task Force (BTF) and the Arctic Energy Office (AE).  

These two missions have seemingly distinct charges, and yet the efforts share common threads in their dedication to the Arctic region's sustainability and resilience. They also share a Department of Energy staff member: me, Brix Hahn, executive secretary for the BTF and Alaska engagement advisor for AE.

The Bering Sea separates Alaska and Russia. It stretches up to the Arctic Ocean and down to the Aleutian Islands. The Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area (NBSCRA) was established through Executive Order 13754, signed by President Obama on December 9, 2016, and later reinstated by President Biden on his first day in office. This initiative, which created the BTF, aims to bolster the resilience of the northern Bering Sea region by conserving its ecosystem, including vital natural resources that hold significant cultural and subsistence value for local communities. Executive Order 13754 also envisioned the creation of an Intergovernmental Tribal Advisory Council comprised of representatives from the Northern Bering Sea region to act in partnership with the BTF in addressing the issues facing that region. 

It truly takes a village to thrive, and the collaborative efforts between the BTF, AE, and all our federal and Department of Energy allies make us no exception to this proverb. AE was first created in 2001. The office ran until 2011 with the help of contractors when it was defunded — a similar through-line of financial adversity the BTF and AE share. In 2019, the AE was reinstated and today is headed by Dr. Erin Whitney, a local to Anchorage. My own work within the BTF is fully funded by AE, through the Office of Policy, as a contribution to our shared goal of meeting the needs of America’s Arctic citizens.  

AE operates as the Department of Energy's principal advisor on all domestic Arctic matters, including energy, science, and national security. Entrusted with coordinating efforts across various DOE programs, staff offices, and National Laboratories, AE ensures a cohesive approach to Arctic issues. Through its alignment with the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, Dr. Geri Richmond, AE contributes to shaping policies that address the energy needs of Arctic communities while respecting the region's environmental and cultural heritage. In a nutshell, we fondly affirm, “AE brings DOE to the Arctic, and the Arctic to DOE.” 

My family has lived on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula for thousands of years. This, coupled with my upbringing in the area’s largest community, Nome, and a half-decade working in policy for Alaska state senators and interning under a U.S. Senator, prepared me with a nuanced understanding of Alaska's intricate political landscape and the pressing issues facing its most isolated communities. Nestled at approximately 64.5˚North on the Bering Sea, my hometown’s unique geographical position instilled in me an amplified appreciation for the Arctic's beauty and its challenges, including that of the Bering Sea, a body of water where I grew up playing, “how long can you last?” submerged in the frigid depths with childhood friends, crabbing through the ice in winters with my dad, sailing across on an open water voyage to Sitka, and countless other memories.  

As we navigate the intricate web of Arctic policy, it's imperative to recognize the invaluable contributions that individuals rooted in local communities can offer, and to actively support their engagement in shaping the future of the region. It was my blend of cultural insight and government experience, necessary to serve the Bering Task Force, that first caught the attention of Ambassador David Balton, executive director of the Arctic Executive Steering Committee, an entity within the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Ambassador Balton works to coordinate BTF efforts within his position at OSTP. Cochairs to the BTF include Ms. Raina Thiele, senior advisor for Alaska Affairs & Strategic Priorities within the U.S. Department of the Interior, Ms. Kelly Kryc, deputy assistant secretary for International Fisheries under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce and Ms. Tasha Hippolyte, acting deputy assistant secretary for Trade within the Department of Homeland Security. I was honored to be invited by the co-chairs to serve as their executive secretary, on top of my daily outreach and engagement duties at AE, here on the ground in The Last Frontier.  

While I absorbed this BTF role into my weekly AE work, it provided a realization: Effective policymaking in the Arctic requires a deep understanding of local dynamics and challenges. That can only be achieved by fostering meaningful and wholesome connections between Washington D.C. decision-makers and the communities these leaders serve.  

In navigating the delicate balance between diplomacy and progress, it's crucial to underscore the impacts bureaucracy has on the ground in Alaska. Voyaging the intricate challenges and opportunities in the Arctic demands a multifaceted and comprehensive approach that addresses various dimensions of the region's unique characteristics. Today, BTF and AE are simultaneously working to understand this in very similar capacities. Work and worth within each initiative goes so much deeper than their short mission statements may lead one to initially believe. This includes, and is in no way limited to:

• Working with partners to circulate accurate and up-to-date data for informed decision-making by scientists and policy makers 
• Collaborating with governing bodies, both political and tribal, to understand and respect the Arctic's shared ownership among multiple nations and collaborative governances 
• Balancing economic development with environmental preservation for the long-term sustainability of the Arctic 
• Enhancing infrastructure in the Arctic, including ports, transportation networks, broadband and telecommunications for fostering economic growth and improving living standards
• Developing infrastructure projects that prioritize resilience to climate change and that respect indigenous land rights
• Recognizing the rights and traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and engaging with local stakeholders to ensure policies and projects are culturally sensitive, socially equitable, and inclusive of indigenous perspectives
• Preserving fragile Arctic ecosystem biodiversity and climate regulation
• Conserving protected areas and sustaining fisheries management to help safeguard vulnerable species and habitats, like BTF’s work with the Tribal Advisory Council, an indigenous advocacy group that works in conjunction with BTF to revitalize salmon stock and navigating harmful algal bloom impacts, among many other priorities
• Investing in infrastructure resilience, disaster preparedness, and community relocation programs in response to coastal erosion and thawing permafrost
• Encouraging innovation and research in Arctic-related technologies, such as renewable energy systems, clean shipping technologies, and Arctic-specific infrastructure solutions
• Investing in education and capacity building initiatives by strengthening local communities and empowering future generations to address Arctic challenges effectively including promoting STEM education, traditional knowledge preservation, and vocational training tailored to Arctic needs
• Addressing the potential risks of Arctic activities, such as oil spills, shipping accidents, and geopolitical tensions, that requires proactive risk management strategies and international cooperation frameworks to ensure swift and coordinated responses in case of emergencies, and working with the Arctic Watch Operations Center that is overseen by the Marine Exchange of Alaska

Through BTF and AE adopting these comprehensive, listed approaches to their work, collaborators may more successfully navigate the complex challenges and opportunities present in the Arctic while promoting sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and resilience for current and future generations. Both the Bering Task Force and the Arctic Energy Office are doing just that, and now, they’re working together for the greater impacts of democracy, livelihood, and sustainable development in the Arctic.