08.02.18

Murkowski Announces Departure of Chief Counsel, Staff Promotions

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the departure of her chief counsel, Patrick McCormick, who has left the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for an opportunity in the private sector. "Pat is truly one of a kind: an incredible lawyer with a servant's heart, a tireless work ethic, and impeccable character," Murkowski said. "Every one of us will miss him greatly, but we are grateful for his indispensable guidance and the many achievements he enabled as part of our committee. … Continue Reading

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07.24.18

Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Global Oil Prices

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine volatility in global oil prices, which have been driven by strong economic growth, rising demand, supply restrictions from OPEC, and geopolitical events around the world. "This year has been marked by greater volatility, which has shown up in the prices being paid at the pump by nearly every American family and business," Murkowski said. "Prices are notably higher than a year ago, so the questions we're here to ask include: … Continue Reading

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07.19.18

Committee Reviews Proposals to Reorganize and Modernize DOE and DOI

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the administration's efforts to reorganize and modernize the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior (DOI). "It's our responsibility to look at the structures of government and determine whether they are as efficient and effective as we expect," Murkowski said. "Putting ideas on the table for improvements is a good thing - something we should encourage. And from there, it's on all of us to consider thos… Continue Reading

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07.06.18

Sen. Murkowski Hosts Sec. Perdue in Southeast Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest. The trip allowed the Secretary to visit the largest national forest in the United States and hear from local stakeholders about the need to build a stronger, more sustainable economy in southeast Alaska. "I appreciate Secretary Perdue and his team traveling to the Tongass to learn more about our need for greater access and economic opportunity… Continue Reading

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06.28.18

Murkowski: U.S. Natural Gas Can Help Power the World

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered opening remarks for a panel discussion on "Access to Sustainable Energy in Developing Economies" at the 27th World Gas Conference, which is being held in Washington, D.C. The conference has attracted thousands of the most influential leaders, policymakers, and experts in the energy industry from more than 100 countries to discuss how natural gas will fuel the future. Murkowski speaking at the 27th World Gas Conference "Access to energy is f… Continue Reading

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06.26.18

Senate Passes First Fiscal Year 2019 Funding Package

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently voted in favor of a funding package, which combines the Energy and Water; Military Construction-Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The bill, also known as a "minibus," provides funding to further develop Alaska's strategic military presence, improve health services for veterans, support critical infrastructure projects, and promote energy innovation and investments in renewable energy. As a member o… Continue Reading

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06.26.18

Senate Passes Minibus with Amendment to Strengthen U.S. Hydropower

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today secured passage of a number of hydropower-related provisions through a bipartisan amendment that was incorporated into H.R. 5895, the first FY 2019 appropriations package, by unanimous consent. Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., were also cosponsors of the amendment. H.R. 5895 passed the Senate today by a vote of 86-5. "I thank Sen. Manchin and my colleagues … Continue Reading

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06.22.18

Murkowski Welcomes New Hire and Summer Interns to Committee Staff

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that Michelle Toohey has joined her Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff. She also welcomed four interns who are assisting the committee with various projects this summer: Alexandra Bender, Selia Butler, Kaiwi Eisenhour, and Michael McCambridge. "Michelle is a valuable addition to our team. She brings decades of public affairs and policy experience from her time in the Alaska Governor's office and in the Alaska State Legislature… Continue Reading

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06.12.18

Murkowski: FERC Should Take Balanced Approach in Regulation of Energy Sector

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to conduct oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). For the first time in about a decade, all five FERC commissioners - Chairman Kevin McIntyre, Cheryl LaFleur, Neil Chatterjee, Robert Powelson, and Richard Glick - testified before the committee. Murkowski opened the hearing by noting there have been a number of significant changes in the energy sector since the last time the full Commission was before the committe… Continue Reading

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06.08.18

Murkowski Welcomes DOE Awards for Alaska Projects

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the Department of Energy's (DOE) announcement that two Alaska projects will receive a total of $3.6 million to support the development of innovative marine energy technologies. The Igiugig Village Council (IVC), in partnership with the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) of Maine, will receive $2.3 million to continue work on a RivGen cross-flow river current turbine system. The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) and the University of Alaska… Continue Reading

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06.01.18

Murkowski: Optimistic Time for Alaska’s Energy Industry

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday delivered remarks at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association's (AOGA) 2018 Conference. While speaking to the need to be ready for challenges and opposition that may arise as new development proceeds, Murkowski expressed optimism about the future and highlighted the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). "It was almost exactly a year ago that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke stood here and promised that in … Continue Reading

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05.31.18

Murkowski Welcomes National Labs to Alaska

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week helped kick off the first-ever Alaska National Lab Day by delivering opening remarks highlighting how Alaska's geography, climate, and people have made the state a world leader on energy innovation. The forum, which is being hosted by the University of Alaska, has brought together more than 200 Alaskans, senior leaders from the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Labs to discuss opportunities to partner on the next generation of clean, affordable… Continue Reading

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05.18.18

Murkowski Welcomes Final List of Critical Minerals

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke published the Department's final list of 35 critical minerals. Multiple federal agencies will now use this list to develop a strategy to reduce foreign dependence and strengthen U.S. mineral security. "I thank Secretary Zinke for his efforts to develop this list of minerals, highlighting our most critical vulnerabilities," Murkowski said. "These minerals are needed for energy, h… Continue Reading

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05.15.18

Committee Reviews Nominee for the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider the nomination of Aimee Jorjani to be the chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Council). If confirmed, she will complete the remainder of a four-year term expiring on June 10, 2021. Murkowski opened the hearing by thanking Jorjani for her willingness to serve our country and highlighting her qualifications for the role. "Aimee Jorjani appears to be very well … Continue Reading

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05.09.18

Sen. 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 $10,972,512 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 in the recent omnibus appropriations bill. "I recognize that as timber production declines, local communities in Alaska and across the nation are forced to rely on the Secure Rural Schools program … Continue Reading

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04.25.18

Murkowski: Forest Service Must Address

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing to examine the president's budget request for the U.S. Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2019. Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen testified on behalf of the Forest Service. Murkowski opened the hearing by noting the Forest Service will receive greater flexibility in funding as a result of the recent omnibus, which included a multi-year budgeting fix for wildfire suppression costs. Murkowski, while urging meaningful forest managem… Continue Reading

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04.19.18

Delegation Welcomes Coastal Plain EIS Scoping Announcement

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a 60-day public scoping period as it prepares to draft an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Department of the Interior's oil and gas leasing program on the Coastal Plain. "We welcome this scoping announcement and the Department's continued work to implement our legislation opening the Coastal Plain to responsible energ… Continue Reading

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04.19.18

Murkowski Urges for Swift Action on Addressing Coastal Erosion

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called for an urgent focus on assistance for Alaskan communities facing coastal erosion. During an Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee hearing examining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget request for Fiscal Year 2019, Senator Murkowski cited threats to the northern community of Utqiagvik, facing serious winter storms, receding sea ice, and greater coastal erosion. "You've got a utility corridor that is in danger of washing away due t… Continue Reading

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04.17.18

Murkowski Convenes Oversight Hearing on Deferred Maintenance in National Parks

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee focused on deferred maintenance and the operational needs of the National Park Service (NPS). The deferred maintenance backlog, which currently stands at $11.6 billion, is one of the most significant challenges for NPS to provide a quality visitor experience. "Just about every state, and for that matter just about every park unit, is affected by the deferred maintenance backlog," Murkowski… Continue Reading

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03.22.18

Murkowski: Investments in Water Infrastructure and Management Systems Vital to Protecting Communities from Drought

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the western water outlook for 2018 and three bills to upgrade water infrastructure, management, and storage systems to ensure our communities have access to clean, reliable water supplies. "For over a decade, the West has suffered through drought conditions. Changing climate conditions and weather patterns appear to be making matters worse," Murkowski said. "There's no question that we need to overhaul and modernize America'… Continue Reading