Murkowski Calls for Action to Help Tongass Timber Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called on the U.S. Forest Service to take immediate action to help Southeast Alaska timber industry transition to a second-growth forest products economy by allowing already-approved traditional timber sales in the Tongass National Forest to go forward. "While we go through your budget proposal, another small forests-product company faces having to auction off its equipment," Murkowski said at a hearing Wednesday on the Forest Service… Continue Reading
Murkowski Comments on Senate Jobs Bill Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after voting against a procedural motion to move to a $15 billion jobs package. "I was disappointed that the Senate did not take this opportunity to vote on a bipartisan bill, crafted by Sens. Grassley and Baucus, that would have addressed a number of expiring federal laws tied to job creation. The bill written by the Majority Leader left out a number of other jobs-related provisions that were in the bip… Continue Reading
Murkowski Response to Democratic Senators' Letter on EPA Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement on Democratic senators' letter to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the economic threat of greenhouse gas regulations: "Last Friday, eight Democratic senators sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describing many of the same concerns I have been raising about that agency's attempt to impose back-door climate regulations under the Clean Air Act. "I welcome my colleagues… Continue Reading
Sen. Murkowski: EPA Delay Still Ignores Economic Consequences
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that it will adopt greenhouse gas regulations this spring, but delay implementation regarding stationary sources until January. "While the delay in implementation is a small forced step in the right direction, the Clean Air Act continues to be the wrong tool for the job, and EPA's timeline continues to create significant and ongoing uncertain… Continue Reading
Sen. Murkowski's Remarks to the Alaska State Legislature
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following remarks to the Alaska State Legislature in Juneau: REMARKS OF SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI TO THE ALASKA LEGISLATUREFEBRUARY 18, 2010JUNEAU, ALASKA**** AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY ****________________________________________ President Stevens, Speaker Chenault, my friends in the Alaska Legislature, I'm glad to be home. And to our fellow Alaskans who are watching on Gavel to Gavel and listening on APRN and KTOO, than… Continue Reading
Murkowski Response to Nuclear Loan Guarantee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the Department of Energy's announcement that it was offering the first conditional federal loan guarantee for new nuclear plant construction to Southern Co. "I applaud the Obama administration and the Department of Energy for moving forward on a loan guarantee agreement that could see construction of the first new nuclear power project in this country in more than 30 years," Murkowski said. "While there remain significant cha… Continue Reading
Murkowski Statement on Death of Jim Bowles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on the tragic death of Jim Bowles, President of ConocoPhillips Alaska: "I am very saddened to hear of the tragic death of Jim Bowles. Jim was a great partner in the responsible development of Alaska's natural resources. He truly loved Alaska and spending time outdoors. I'm deeply saddened by his untimely death and send his family my deepest condolences" ###… Continue Reading
Murkowski on Obama's Conflicting Energy Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor on the disconnect between President Obama's remarks on energy during his State of the Union Speech and the priorities indicated in the budget request. Below is a copy of her remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. President, when President Obama delivered his first State of the Union Address two weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised by his remarks on energy policy. In addition to calling for bipartisan legisla… Continue Reading
Murkowski Applauds Three Year Exemption for Iditarod Air Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Iditarod Air Force a three year exemption to fly in support of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. The all-volunteer Iditarod Air Force has been flying in support of the race for more than 20 years, but has had to apply for exemptions from the FAA for the past two years to do so. FAA regulations prohibit volunteer pilots from accepting any cost deferments such as fuel, acc… Continue Reading
Murkowski slams denial of Conoco NPRA permit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reacted to the Obama administration's denial of Conoco Phillips' permit to construct a bridge to access what would have been the first oil and gas lease in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve (NPRA), insisting the company instead use directional drilling for the development. For decades, those who oppose developing ANWR or Alaska's offshore fields have continually cited the 23 million-acre NPRA as the area where development should occ… Continue Reading
Murkowski on Rob Heun's Confirmation as U.S. Marshall for Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate tonight confirmed by unanimous consent former Anchorage Police Chief Rob Heun as the U.S. Marshal for Alaska. Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, congratulating Chief Heun. "President Obama could not have picked a more appropriate man for the job. Law enforcement is a team sport. It works best when federal, state and local agencies are on the same page. Nobody knows this better than Rob Heun who spent 23 years on the Anch… Continue Reading
Sen. Murkowski Supports Persily for Alaska Gas Pipeline Coordinator
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding Larry Persily's nomination to be Federal Coordinator of the Office for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. "I'm pleased that President Obama has moved quickly to fill this important position," Murkowski said. "I've known Larry for years and I'm confident he will work tirelessly to see that a North Slope gas pipeline becomes a reality." If confirmed as federal coordinator, Persily wou… Continue Reading
Delegation Announces Grants and Contracts to Alaska Programs
Washington, D.C. - The Alaska Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce the following grants awarded to communities in the State of Alaska: U.S. Department of Transportation: • $367,500 to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for the purchase of transportation vehicles and equipment.• $274,000 to the Municipality of Anchorage for the purchase of a replacement bus.• $945,680 to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to move a … Continue Reading
Murkowski Comments on President's Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement today after President Obama released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2011: "The President released his proposed budget today for the Fiscal Year that begins October 1, 2010. Although I have not yet had a chance to study the document in detail, there are a few areas of concern, including an elimination of the $10 million fund for Denali Commission health care facility construction and the U.S. Department of… Continue Reading
Sen. Murkowski Applauds Open Season Filing for Alaska Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement on the beginning of TransCanada and Exxon Mobil's open season for an Alaska natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48: "The start of an open season on a gas line represents real progress," Murkowski said. "This marks the first time Alaska has seen a major producer come together with a pipeline company to solicit binding commitments for the transport and delivery of North Slope natural gas to markets in the L… Continue Reading
Murkowski Welcomes Announcement of Blue Ribbon Commission and Increased Loan Guarantees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement regarding the Obama administration's announcement of a 15 member blue-ribbon commission to study spent nuclear fuel policy options and the expansion of the loan guarantee program for nuclear energy: "Our efforts to expand the nuclear energy industry in the United States have been in doubt since the Obama administration cut funding last year for the licensing of the Yucca Mountain repository without offerin… Continue Reading
Murkowski Statement on Confirmation of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to a Second Term
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement today regarding her vote to confirm Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term: "Stability is a key factor in our economic recovery. This week, the Federal Reserve held its quarterly meeting and elected to keep interest rates between zero and .25 percent. This move by the Federal Reserve will help provide our economy with continued certainty. While I don't agree with every decision the Chairman ha… Continue Reading
Murkowski Votes Against Raising Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on her vote against a $1.9 trillion increase in the debt ceiling: "At a time when Alaskan families are cutting back on spending, Congress today voted to increase the nation's debt ceiling by an astounding $1.9 trillion dollars. Last night President Obama told the nation that we must get a handle on our debt, yet today's debt ceiling increase to $14.3 trillion is bigger than the last three debt ceiling in… Continue Reading
Murkowski Blasts Democrat Proposal to Raise Debt Ceiling by $1.9 Trillion
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate this week may vote on a Democrat proposal to raise the federal debt ceiling by $1.9 trillion. Sen. Murkowski announced today that she will oppose the measure. "Our nation's credit card is beyond its limit. The budget deficit for the last fiscal year reached $1.4 trillion - roughly three times the previous single year record. Now, rather than move forward with fiscally responsible policies, the Democrat leadership has chosen to bring to the floor legislation that wo… Continue Reading
Sen. Murkowski Offers Disapproval Resolution to Block EPA Endangerment of Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced a bipartisan disapproval resolution to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Murkowski's resolution - co-sponsored by 35 Republicans and three Democrats - comes in the wake of the EPA's recent endangerment finding, which will result in damaging new regulations that endanger America's economy. "As the EPA moves closer and closer to issuing these regu… Continue Reading