During a Tuesday hearing of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Congressman Don Young questioned the Coast Guard’s Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, Vice Admiral Paul Thomas, on several topics. Young pressed Thomas on plans for the Coast Guard to utilize funding from the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for jobs in Alaska on the Coast Guard’s Unfunded Priorities List. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included $429 million to fund projects on the Coast Guard’s Unfunded Priorities List and childcare facilities. The FY22 Unfunded Priorities List included $188 million in projects set aside for Alaska.
Thomas confirmed the Coast Guard’s commitment to funding these projects and investing in Kodiak for Housing and pier upgrades, which will support expanded operations and additional investments in Sitka, Seward, and Ketchikan to support the deployment of additional Fast Response Cutters to these communities. The Coast Guard aims to upgrade its presence and capabilities across the state.
In addition, Young asked the Coast Guard to look into and make plans to expand its footprint in Alaska as the Arctic becomes a focal point for commerce and strategic competition.
