Articles & Op-eds
Anchorage Daily News: Sen. Murkowski pushes for a half-billion dollars in earmarks for Alaska
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON - As Congress races toward the Dec. 16 deadline to fund the government, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is pushing to secure nearly half a billion dollars for Alaska projects as one of a handful of Senate Republicans who embraces earmarks. After a 10-year hiatus, congressionally directed spending - commonly referred to as earmarks - returned to Capitol Hill in 2021. Members of Congress could once again request funding during the budget process for governmental or nonprofit projects in the… Continue Reading
11.26.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Murkowski marks anniversary of federal bill worth billons for Alaska
by Amanda Bohman
About $96.3 million in federal funding is being spent on capital improvements in the Fairbanks North Star Borough thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law one year ago on Nov. 15. The program is expected to bring in $1 billion a year to Alaska over five years. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced the one-year anniversary of the legislation earlier this month, calling it "one of the most significant measures I've ever worked on." So far, about $3… Continue Reading
11.16.22
KUCB: EPA takes coordinating role in contaminated ANCSA land cleanup
by Theo Greenly
The Environmental Protection Agency has stepped up to take the lead in coordinating the cleanup of contaminated lands that were conveyed to Alaska Native communities, according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The federal government conveyed 44 million acres of land to Alaska Native communities as part of the 1971 Alaska Native Corporation Settlement Act, or ANCSA. But lots of that land was polluted, by things like mining and military operations - and different governmental agencies, committees and… Continue Reading
11.15.22
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: TCC gets $30 million broadband grant for Interior villages
by Jack Barnwell
Another wave of federal broadband funding went to the Tanana Chiefs Conference to ensure high speed internet access for four Interior villages and communities in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. The $30.3 million federal grant comes from the USDA's ReConnect Program and is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, according to an Oct. 28 news release from Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. The grant will eventually fund the construction of a high speed fiber project, some… Continue Reading
11.07.22
KINY: Alaska Tribes and Organizations receive over $18 million for Tribal Climate Resilience Projects
by KINY
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski last week announced 48 awards benefitting Tribes and tribal organizations in Alaska amounting to more than $18 million to address the impacts of climate change. The investments support adaption planning, climate implementation actions, ocean and coastal management planning, capacity building, relocation, managed retreat, and protect-in-place for climate risks projects. "Communities across Alaska face growing risks from coastal erosion, floodin… Continue Reading
10.31.22
Eye on the Arctic: $30.3 million grant announced to build up high-speed internet in rural Alaska
by Eye on the Arctic
The Indigenous non-profit corporation responsible for health and social services for the majority of Alaska's interior will receive $30.3 million US to help build up high-speed internet in the region. Nobody at the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) could be reached for comment on Monday, but in a news release on Friday, the TCC leader said the grant was an important step for the region. "[The Tanana Chiefs Conference - TCC ] is proud to have secured funding for this vital infrastructure project o… Continue Reading
10.29.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: TCC to receive $30.3 million for broadband
by Staff report
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) will be receiving a $30.3 million federal grant to fund broadband infrastructure in rural Interior communities, according to a Friday press release from Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office. The funds will provide communities in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census area and Hughes, Huslia, Alatna and Allakaket Native Village Statistical Areas with affordable and reliable high-speed internet to be used in homes, schools and workplaces. "Congratulations to the Tanana Chiefs Conference… Continue Reading
10.24.22
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: UAF, Defense Department take new approach to suicide prevention
by Staff Report
University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers have been selected to develop a suicide-prevention program that will focus on Alaska-based Army soldiers. The project will focus on the Army 11th Airborne Division in Alaska. The unit, which is split between Fort Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, identified 17 deaths by suicide among its ranks in 2021. Sen. Lisa Murkowski included $3 million to support the project in the federal government's fiscal year 2022 appropriations act. UAF's Cen… Continue Reading
10.21.22
Military.com: Housing Allowance Shouldn't Stop Hungry Troops from Getting Food Stamps, Senators Say
by Rebecca Kheel and Konstantin Toropin
Heather Campbell has been a military spouse for years. She walked away from a full-ride Ph.D. when she met her husband and later became a mother to three kids. Campbell was once even selected as Eielson Air Force Base spouse of the year but she also faced unemployment as the family moved to remote locations such as Alaska. As a result, Campbell, who is now a registered dietician, and her family joined the nearly 25% of military families this past year that struggled to feed themselves, accordin… Continue Reading
10.18.22
Anchorage Daily News OPINION: Strengthening our commitment to the Arctic together
by Gail Schubert
As we continue to respond to the wreckage left by Typhoon Merbok and prepare for the challenging winter ahead, we are thankful. While the storm was devastating, we will recover. Our communities, friends and neighbors have pulled together and reminded all of us why we are blessed to live in rural Alaska. The outpouring of support we have received across Alaska, from our dedicated first responders to everyday Alaskans, also shows the best of our great state. When disaster strikes, Alaskans are the… Continue Reading
10.01.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Alaska senators propose renaming volcano after Don Young
by Staff Report
Alaskans viewed the late U.S. Rep. Don Young as a larger-than-life figure while he served Alaska in Congress for 49 years. Alaska's U.S. senators see it as a fitting tribute to rename an active Aleutian Island volcano after Young, who died in March from natural causes. The pair introduced a bill in the Senate, identifying the volcano currently known as Mount Cerberus. "Don Young moved mountains for Alaska, it's only fitting we name one after him - even if it is a bit unpredictable," Mu… Continue Reading
09.30.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: FEMA grants full cost waiver for western Alaska response
by Jack Barnwell
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pick up the full cost for all eligible storm recovery efforts in western Alaska over the next 30 days, according an announcement from the White House. The decision follows a joint request from Alaska's congressional delegation, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Mary Peltola, along with Gov. Mike Dunleavy's office, urging President Joe Biden to waive the state's share of costs. Murkowski, who visited five impacted communities … Continue Reading
09.07.22
Anchorage Daily News OPINION: Infrastructure bill shows Alaska wins when we work across party lines
by Bryce Edgmon
Good things happen when partisan politics are cast aside, like when our congressional delegation worked in a bipartisan manner to secure "Ted Stevens-like" funding for Alaska in last year's federal infrastructure bill. I think the significance of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and what it means for our state has not gotten its full due. Billions of dollars will be coming our way that will improve services for communities all over Alaska, but none more so than in rural Alaska. Signif… Continue Reading
09.03.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: State announces agriculture grants
by Jack Barnwell
Alaska continues to receive federal funding for agriculture initiatives, including $2 million from the United States Department of Agriculture for the state's food security micro-grant program. According to a news release from Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office, the $2 million will fund next year's grant program. Murkowski created the federal micro-grant program in 2018 "to ensure more Alaskans have greater access to healthy, affordable, locally grown options." The overall federal program provides … Continue Reading
09.02.22
Juneau Empire: Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project
by Ashlyn O'Hara
KENAI - Alaska's two U.S. senators threw their support behind the Alaska LNG Project this week in a joint letter that touted the project's economic and energy security benefits. The Alaska LNG Project, years in the works, would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski. The project has seen revived interest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in light of new federal funding opportunities. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan urged… Continue Reading
09.01.22
Peninsula Clarion: Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project
by Ashlyn O'Hara
Alaska's two U.S. senators threw their support behind the Alaska LNG Project this week in a joint letter that touted the project's economic and energy security benefits. The Alaska LNG Project, years in the works, would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski. The project has seen revived interest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in light of new federal funding opportunities. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan urged in a jo… Continue Reading
08.27.22
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The newest role in the North? Arctic ambassador
by Amanda Bohman
The president is creating a new Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region, the U.S. State Department announced on Friday. This comes as Russia has increased its military presence in the Arctic in recent years and after a warning from the NATO Secretary General about rising tensions in the so-called High North. Arctic nations, including the United States, currently coordinate as members of the Arctic Council. In March, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the council froze out Russia, issuin… Continue Reading
08.27.22
Anchorage Daily News: Biden administration to appoint Arctic ambassador
by Riley Rogerson
The Biden administration announced plans to appoint an Arctic Ambassador, the U.S.'s latest effort to increase its influence in the Arctic amid growing tensions with Russia and China. The Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region will promote U.S. policy in the region and work with the other seven Arctic nations, Indigenous groups and other non-governmental entities, according to a State Department statement. In recent years, U.S. officials have pushed to protect national security and economic… Continue Reading
08.21.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Borough receives $2.5M for CNG bus conversion
by Amanda Bohman
Almost $2.5 million was awarded to the Fairbanks North Star Borough from the Federal Transit Administration for Compressed Natural Gas buses and vans, according to a borough news release. The funds come from the FTA's bus and low-and-no-emission grant program as part of the overall Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Borough Mayor Bryce Ward called the grant "a massive step in the right direction" for the borough's plans to swap out its public transit buses and vans with en… Continue Reading
08.04.22
The Hill OPINION: The State Department must step up on Arctic diplomacy
by Lisa Murkowski
When it comes to Arctic policy, there is no shortage of steps we can take. One is ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty, to prevent other nations from making territorial claims that deprive the U.S. of vital access and resources. Another is passage of my Arctic Commitment Act, which focuses on regional security, shipping, research, and trade. But the quickest and most obvious step is for the State Department to elevate its efforts on Arctic diplomacy, which the Biden administration can immed… Continue Reading
