Articles & Op-eds
KVRR: US Senate Passes Savanna’s Act
by Kendra Johnson
Work continues on capitol hill this morning to finally get Savanna's Act passed through Congress. The bill named for Savanna Greywind, the 22-year-old Fargo woman who was killed for her unborn baby, has passed both the Senate and the House Judiciary Committee. Greywind was a member of the Spirit Lake Tribe. Savanna's Act would require the Justice Department to develop protocols to address missing and murdered Native Americans, including information sharing and training for law enforcement. I… Continue Reading
03.15.20
KYUK: Bethel Resident Becky Trimble Faces Deportation, But Gets Help From Neighbors
by Greg Kim
A Bethel resident is facing deportation. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has ordered Becky Trimble to leave the country by this Saturday, March 14, but Trimble has lived in this country since she was three days old. She didn't know she wasn't a U.S. citizen until she was 22. She shared how she's feeling, and what she plans to do. On Feb. 10, Trimble received a letter with the potential to upend her and her family's life. "My husband opened it up first. His face just kind… Continue Reading
03.15.20
Real Clear Energy: For Energy and Climate, Don’t Forget About One of America's Most Important Resources
by Lynn Abramson, Bill Easter, and Sue Easter
The topic of climate change - and what we can do about it - rightly dominates public discourse today as a central issue no party or business leader can ignore. Exit polls in New Hampshire last month showed 25% of Democratic voters in the state valued climate change as their top issue; other polls confirmed similar sentiments among primary voters in Iowa and Nevada. Reflective of the times, Republicans have also demonstrated real interest in advancing various climate-related bills as key voting b… Continue Reading
03.14.20
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Updates on COVID-19: Anchorage case, congressional delegation, Legislative action
by Erin McGroarty
This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)-also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19-isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in the lab. Here are updates from health officials, local agencies and organizations, the Legislature and other groups with updates on the state's response to COVID-19. Anchorage Case The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities released more information about the … Continue Reading
03.13.20
The Hill: Senate confirms Trump pick for energy commission seat
by Rachel Frazin
The chamber voted 52-40 to confirm President Trump's pick for a Republican seat on the commission that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. "Mr. Danly has an impressive academic and professional background," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who spoke in the chamber in favor of the nomination. "This is the type of individual who knows his stuff, has a great grasp and a keen understanding of these energy related matters." Danly's nomination was somewhat… Continue Reading
03.12.20
Yakima Herald: Savanna's Act to address missing, murdered indigenous women clears hurdles in Congress
Legislation to combat the epidemic of murdered and missing indigenous women cleared two big hurdles in Congress on Wednesday. Members of the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Savanna's Act, sending it to the full House of Representatives on Wednesday. The Senate's version of the bill was approved by the full Senate in the afternoon. Among other steps, the legislation would improve data collection and information sharing, standardize law enforcement protocols for responding to case… Continue Reading
03.12.20
KINY: Murkowski’s legislation on missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous people passes Senate
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of two of her bills to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women. The bills, Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, are both led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Catherine Cortez Masto and aim to combat the epidemic by improving the federal government's response through increased coordination, development of best practices, and creation of an advisory committee on violent crime. "The rates of … Continue Reading
03.09.20
Daily Energy Insider: Alaska LNG Project moves forward with final environmental impact study from FERC
by Chris Galford
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published its final environmental impact study (EIS) for the 800 mile Alaska LNG Project this week, earning cheers from proponents at the opportunity to move forward. "This is a key step forward for Alaska LNG and a significant milestone for the project," U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said. "This final EIS is the culmination of years of research, analysis, and public process. I thank all of the staff at FERC who worked diligently to complete th… Continue Reading
03.09.20
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Coronavirus testing increases in Alaska, no confirmed cases yet
by Erin McGroarty
There are still no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Alaska, according to Gov. Mike Dunleavy who met with state health officials and reporters Monday morning. But the state is ramping up its testing as cases increase around the world. "We have seen a steady increase in testing even over the weekend," said State Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink. "We should expect more cases. We don't have any right now but we should expect more." As of Monday morning, 23 people in Alaska had been teste… Continue Reading
03.06.20
Microgrid Knowledge: US Senate Debates Energy Bill that Could Affect Microgrid Development
by Ethan Howland
The US Senate is debating broad-based energy legislation that could affect microgrid development, partly through funding for energy storage and renewable energy programs. The American Energy Innovation Act was introduced in late February by Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., after a year of hearings on scores of energy bills. The bill (S. 2657) contains provisions from about 50 bills that were considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the last yea… Continue Reading
03.06.20
The Epoch Times: US Senators Introduce Legislation To Monitor China’s Overseas Mineral Investments
by Frank Fang
Two U.S. senators on March 5 introduced legislation drawing attention to China's plans to dominate rare earth supplies in other countries through its "One Belt, One Road" foreign policy initiative. Rare earths are a group of minerals used to manufacture a range of consumer products and military technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, satellites, missiles, and semiconductor chips that power all electronic products. Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Inside Sources: Wave of Murdered Native American Women Demands a National Response
by Judy Perry Martinez
There is a horrific crime wave going on across the United States, but you probably won't read about it in your newspaper or see it on the national TV news. Indigenous women - Native Americans and Alaska natives - are being kidnapped and murdered in alarming numbers. A bipartisan group of three U.S. senators called it a crisis last year. U.S. Attorney General William Barr said it is unacceptable. And yet no one knows the true extent of the crisis because no one keeps reliable data on it - not t… Continue Reading
03.05.20
The Epoch Times: Bipartisan Energy Bill: Innovation Key to US Energy Superpower Status
by Alan McDonnell
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Monday to take up the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA)-a bipartisan bill that proponents say will comprehensively update the nation's energy regulations. According to the Department of Energy, the bill "will modernize domestic energy laws to ensure the United States remains a global energy leader while also strengthening national security, increasing our international competitiveness, and investing in clean energy technologies." The AEIA (pdf) was in… Continue Reading
03.04.20
S&P Global: US Senate panel again moves FERC nominee, amid debate over partisanship
by Maya Weber
The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 12-8 to support the nomination of James Danly to join the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, amid continued complaints from Democrats about the White House's failure to pair him with a nominee from the minority side. Advancing the nomination of Danly, who is currently FERC's general counsel, to become a commissioner, would help ensure a quorum needed for major decisions by the key energy market regulator. The five-member commission is… Continue Reading
03.04.20
SitNews: Governor, Senator, & Ketchikan Officials Address Coronavirus Contingencies & Prepardedness
by Mary Kauffman
On the state level, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy submitted a supplemental budget amendment Monday to fund ten additional temporary positions within the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) preparedness and response. The governor's supplemental budget would provide the Alaska Division of Public Health with five new public health nurses, three nurse epidemiologists, one microbiologist in Fairbanks to assist with lab testing, and one emer… Continue Reading
03.04.20
KTVA: Murkowski says new energy bill will benefit Alaskans
by Jennifer Summers
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will file the American Energy Innovation Act as a substitute amendment to United States Senate Bill 2657, a bill she introduced that lawmakers are debating this week. Murkowski says the package includes more than 50 energy-related bills and focuses on many areas that will benefit Alaskans including: Mineral security Energy storage Efficiency Cybersecurity Solar and wind Geothermal Marine energy and hydropower Advanced nuclear - through micro-reactor… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Trade Only Today: Sen. Lisa Murkowski visits University of Alaska maritime training center
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski last month toured the University of Alaska Southeast Maritime Training Center, which has been training mariners for more than 30 years, in support of the maritime industry. The center is located on the water in Ketchikan and includes a welding lab, navigation simulator, and diesel and electronics labs. Murkowski expressed support for Alaska's maritime industry when she visited, thanking faculty members for providing "valuable training opportunities for Alaskans,"… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Washington Examiner: Biggest update to energy law in a decade heads to Senate with bipartisan support
by Abby Smith
Senators, including key Democrats such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted overwhelmingly on Monday to start debating what could be the most comprehensive update to U.S. energy law in more than a decade. Schumer, in remarks before the vote, said he would vote yes "as a show of good faith" after talks with the bill's sponsors, Senate Energy Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about a "fair amendment process. … Continue Reading
03.03.20
Daily Energy Insider: Sens. Manchin, Murkowski introduce American Energy Innovation Act
by Kevin Randolph
Sens. Manchin, Murkowski introduce American Energy Innovation Act U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released on Feb. 27, the text of the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), a compilation of more than 50 energy-related measures individually reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) last year. AEIA, S. 2657, aims to ensure the United States remains a global energy leader, strengthens national security, increases U.S. international competitivenes… Continue Reading
03.02.20
WAVY: Senators call for more seasonal work visas to help seafood industry
Seven senators are asking the Department of Homeland Security to allow additional visas for temporary non-agricultural workers. The senators say the authorization is needed to help support seafood businesses in Virginia and states like Alaska, Maryland, and North Carolina. H-2B visas allow employers to temporarily hire non-immigrants to perform nonagricultural labor or services in the United States. Officials say the visas are critical to the survival of Virginia's seafood industry - particul… Continue Reading
