DNR nominee John Crother tells Senate committee he will push gas-line, land-development priorities
March 23, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Alaska, Alaska
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John Crother, commissioner-designate for the Department of Natural Resources, told the Senate Resources Committee March 23 that he intends to advance the governor’s development agenda and strengthen the department’s responsiveness.
“I very, very much want the job and I love the job,” Crother said in opening remarks, then outlined five guiding principles and five priorities for DNR in 2026, naming the gas line, expanded land use for development and housing, and seizing federal opportunities after recent public-land-order changes as central focuses.
Crother described the department’s role in maximizing public value from state resources while partnering with other agencies where duties overlap. In response to questions about coordinating oil-and-gas revenue information across state agencies, Crother said DNR will “cooperate with those other agencies to look at the whole picture” and provide jurisdictional detail where appropriate.
On Cook Inlet development, Crother said DNR is pressing operators to meet development obligations and is prepared to pursue remedies for units in default. He described engagement with operators including Hillcorp and Hexfury and said the Cosmopolitan unit is in default and being worked with to cure the default and meet drilling commitments.
Senators raised questions about royalty audits, and Crother said DNR conducts royalty audits and maintains a commercial team that reviews settlement agreements and lease terms. He described Royalty Settlement Agreements (RSAs) with large producers as ongoing instruments the department monitors to ensure they address current production conditions.
During public testimony, Ed Martin (Ed Martin Junior) said he supported giving Crother a chance but urged the committee to ensure commissioners comply with statutory surety-bond requirements, referencing Title 38/39 and Article 8 obligations.
The committee heard Crother’s responses to multiple follow-up questions and indicated staff would prepare the motion to forward his appointment; no final confirmation vote was recorded in the hearing transcript.
The committee will consider additional nominees and bills at its next meeting March 25.
“I very, very much want the job and I love the job,” Crother said in opening remarks, then outlined five guiding principles and five priorities for DNR in 2026, naming the gas line, expanded land use for development and housing, and seizing federal opportunities after recent public-land-order changes as central focuses.
Crother described the department’s role in maximizing public value from state resources while partnering with other agencies where duties overlap. In response to questions about coordinating oil-and-gas revenue information across state agencies, Crother said DNR will “cooperate with those other agencies to look at the whole picture” and provide jurisdictional detail where appropriate.
On Cook Inlet development, Crother said DNR is pressing operators to meet development obligations and is prepared to pursue remedies for units in default. He described engagement with operators including Hillcorp and Hexfury and said the Cosmopolitan unit is in default and being worked with to cure the default and meet drilling commitments.
Senators raised questions about royalty audits, and Crother said DNR conducts royalty audits and maintains a commercial team that reviews settlement agreements and lease terms. He described Royalty Settlement Agreements (RSAs) with large producers as ongoing instruments the department monitors to ensure they address current production conditions.
During public testimony, Ed Martin (Ed Martin Junior) said he supported giving Crother a chance but urged the committee to ensure commissioners comply with statutory surety-bond requirements, referencing Title 38/39 and Article 8 obligations.
The committee heard Crother’s responses to multiple follow-up questions and indicated staff would prepare the motion to forward his appointment; no final confirmation vote was recorded in the hearing transcript.
The committee will consider additional nominees and bills at its next meeting March 25.
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