06.14.19

Murkowski Welcomes Forest Service’s Efforts to Update NEPA Regulations

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the USDA Forest Service announced a proposed rule to update and modernize its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. "I support the Forest Service's efforts to streamline their environmental analysis and decision-making process," Murkowski said. "The agency has long struggled to clear its permit backlog for recreation and critical infrastructure, and is facing an urgent need to repair trails, campgroun… Continue Reading

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06.14.19

Murkowski, Manchin, and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Efficiency in Federal Buildings

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation to formally authorize the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and establish energy and water usage reduction goals for federal buildings. S. 1857, the Federal Energy and Water Management Performance Act of 2019, is cosponsored by Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. "Increasing energy efficiency is an idea we should all … Continue Reading

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06.13.19

Murkowski: Collaboration and Active Management Key to Mitigating Fire Risk

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the outlook for the 2019 wildfire season and the nation's fire management programs. Murkowski opened the hearing by emphasizing that our forests and grasslands are increasingly susceptible to fire, which the National Interagency Fire Center expects to continue through this season. She listed some of the largest fires currently burning across the nation, including in Alaska, and d… Continue Reading

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06.11.19

Murkowski Applauds Rural Energy Storage Project

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement celebrating Cordova's new battery energy storage system, and the hard work that made the system possible. "Energy storage systems like this are key to our clean energy future. I was pleased to be in Cordova, joined by innovators from both Alaska and the Department of Energy, for this ribbon-cutting ceremony," Murkowski said. "It's great to see this project become a reality, and I commend Cordova's dedication to meeting its ene… Continue Reading

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06.10.19

Murkowski Welcomes Updated EPA Section 401 Guidance

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated guidance for Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to clarify and improve the water quality certification process. "I welcome this announcement and hope EPA's new guidance will reduce abuse of the Clean Water Act to block infrastructure needed to provide reliable and affordable energy," Murkowski said. "EPA's updated guidance will maintain vital protections for … Continue Reading

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06.06.19

Murkowski Welcomes New Hires and Summer Interns to Committee Staff

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that Spencer Nelson has joined her Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff and that Abigail Hemenway has joined the committee's non-designated staff. She also welcomed four summer interns who are assisting the committee with various projects this summer - Lauren Eckl, Kaiwi Eisenhour, Alexander Jackstadt, and Nathan Solorio - and noted her appreciation for the time Samuel Burgess spent interning during the month of May. "I am very … Continue Reading

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06.05.19

Murkowski Welcomes FERC Approval of Alaskan Marine Renewable Energy Project

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the final installation and operation of a river marine renewable energy (MRE) project in Igiugig, Alaska, under a pilot permit. "I am so pleased this project will be able to move forward, reducing local diesel consumption and energy prices," Murkowski said. "Igiugig's efforts are blazing a trail for marine renewable energy and microgrid solutions around the world - when we prove thes… Continue Reading

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06.05.19

Committee Reviews Nominee for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider the nomination of Robert Wallace to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the Department of the Interior. This position oversees both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. Murkowski opened the hearing with a brief tribute to two Park Service employees who were tragically killed in a plane crash near Whitehorse, Canada last week whi… Continue Reading

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06.04.19

Murkowski: Energy Storage is Key to a Cleaner, More Resilient and Affordable Grid

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine opportunities for the expanded deployment of grid-scale energy storage. Murkowski opened by referencing the many hearings the committee has held this year focused on promoting innovation and clean energy technologies, including the policies needed to lower costs and increase deployment. "We need to come together on practical and effective solutions that will reduce our greenhous… Continue Reading

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06.04.19

Murkowski Commends Commitment to Alaska LNG Project

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) announced a funding agreement to help complete the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting process for the Alaska LNG project. "This is a welcome announcement and an important step for the Alaska LNG project, as they can now have confidence they have the resources to complete the FERC process," Murkowski said. "I appreciate this commitment and urge al… Continue Reading

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05.31.19

Murkowski Leads Congressional Delegation Arctic-Focused Trip

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week led a congressional delegation to locations across the Arctic and North Atlantic to develop a better understanding of the region, further the United States' relationship with the other Arctic nations, and visit American troops in the Far North. As part of the trip, the delegation focused extensively on energy technologies and climate research activities. Joining Senator Murkowski, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, were committee Ra… Continue Reading

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05.21.19

Murkowski: Renewables, Efficiency Offer Real Opportunity

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine opportunities to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts in the United States. Murkowski opened the hearing by acknowledging the significant progress made in both sectors in recent years. "Many renewables are now cost competitive without subsidies in certain parts of the country, and that's leading to greater investment. In 2018, U.S. corporations broke previous r… Continue Reading

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05.16.19

Murkowski: CCUS as a Key to Help Address Climate Change

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the Department of Energy's carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) programs. As part of the hearing, the committee also received testimony on S. 1201, the Enhancing Fossil Fuel Energy Carbon Technology Act or EFFECT Act, which is sponsored by Ranking Member Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Murkowski, a cosponsor of the EFFECT Act, opened the hearing by outlining the role that CCUS t… Continue Reading

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05.14.19

Murkowski: We Must Improve America’s Mineral Security

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine opportunities to strengthen our nation's mineral security. As part of the hearing, the committee also received testimony on S. 1052, the Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act, and S. 1317, the American Mineral Security Act. Murkowski opened the hearing by underscoring the importance of minerals, describing them as the "foundation of our modern society." She contrasted… Continue Reading

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05.03.19

Murkowski, Manchin, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen America’s Mineral Security

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Martha McSally, R-Ariz., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation that takes a comprehensive approach to begin reducing the United States' dependence on foreign minerals. Murkowski made the announcement about S. 1317, the American Mineral Security Act, yesterday morning while delivering remarks at the Benchmark Minerals Summit. "Our nation's mineral security is a significant, urgent, and often ignored chal… Continue Reading

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05.03.19

Committee Reviews Two Interior Nominees

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider two nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI). The nominees are Daniel Jorjani to be Solicitor and Mark Greenblatt to be Inspector General. "The Interior Department has numerous, wide-ranging responsibilities, including the administration of more than a quarter of the land in the United States and almost two-thirds of the land in Alaska," Murkowski said. "In order to carry… Continue Reading

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04.30.19

Bipartisan Senate Coalition Reintroduces Comprehensive Nuclear Waste Legislation

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to safeguard and permanently dispose of the nation's stockpiles of spent nuclear fuel from sites across the country. S. 1234, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act (NWAA) of 2019, will provide a path forward for nuclear energy in America by addressing the longstanding failure to implement an effective plan for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. "As we mak… Continue Reading

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04.30.19

Murkowski: U.S. Must Lead the World in Nuclear Energy

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine pathways to reestablish U.S. global leadership in nuclear energy and to receive testimony on S. 903, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA). Murkowski opened the hearing by outlining the historic role the U.S. played in the development of nuclear energy, along with the more recent decline in our global leadership. "Since 2013, seven U.S. reactors have shut down before the end of their useful life, and more closures are p… Continue Reading

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04.16.19

Murkowski Announces $10.9 Million in Secure Rural Schools Payments to Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that communities across Alaska will soon receive a total of $10,990,708 to fund schools and local budget priorities. The payments are being provided through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which Murkowski successfully reauthorized and funded through Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 in the FY2018 omnibus appropriations bill. "Local communities in Alaska and across the country rely on the Secure Rural Schools program to pay for essential services … Continue Reading

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04.11.19

Murkowski: U.S. Can Deliver Energy Breakthroughs

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing that continued the committee's discussion about opportunities for innovative energy solutions that can reduce domestic and global greenhouse gas emissions. Murkowski opened by noting that emissions in the U.S. electric sector have declined substantially in the last decade, in large part due to flat demand growth, low cost natural gas, and the declining costs of renewable technologies. "The opportunity we have in front of us is to fost… Continue Reading