Reporting From Alaska- Dunleavy demands automatic approval of resource permits if state misses deadline

Golden Age Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has excelled in making state government less efficient, has ordered state agencies to declare that all natural resource permit applications will be approved automatically if the state misses a deadline to take action.

The oil companies, the mining companies and the cruise ship companies will be happy to hear of Dunleavy’s carte blanche initiative.

It’s the latest terrible idea from Dunleavy, contained in an administrative order that is even worse.

Dunleavy wants all permits handled by the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Fish and Game to come with an automatic approval feature in case the state is too slow to act on permit applications.

But wait. In demanding, “provisions for automatic approval if deadlines are not met,” the state could stall action on permit applications that the administration wishes to pursue, which would guarantee their approval.

I can see Dunleavy or any other incompetent governor choosing the stonewall approval method whenever possible on controversial permits. He could blame all delays on a lack of staff.

Dunleavy claims his automatic approval plan of any and all permit applications would “maintain strong protections for our people and environment.” But that’s as honest as a Trump golf score.

Remember Dunleavy has ordered that all permit applications, regardless of merit, must be approved if the state misses a deadline.

This regulatory edict is part of a Dunleavy administrative order that demands a 15 percent reduction in “regulatory requirements” by the end of 2026 and a cumulative 25 percent reduction by the end of 2027.

Dunleavy doesn’t say what it would mean to cut 25 percent of “regulatory requirements.” These seem to be arbitrary numbers picked out of the air with no study.

Perhaps a 25 percent increase in air and water pollution levels would work? Or a 25 percent increase in hazardous chemical spills? Maybe 25 percent of construction workers can stop wearing hardhats? There are a lot of ways to reduce regulatory requirements.

Of course Dunleavy has failed to offer a package of clear examples of regulatory requirements that he opposes and wants to get rid of.

Administrative Order No. 360 reads like a campaign document from Attorney General Tregarrick Taylor, who is still on the state dime, but expected to join the legions of Republican candidates for governor.

Hold your applause please, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares for his final year as governor.

Your contributions help support independent analysis and political commentary by Alaska reporter and author Dermot Cole. Thank you for reading and for your support. Either click here to use PayPal or send checks to: Dermot Cole, Box 10673, Fairbanks, AK 99710-0673.