12.19.19

Murkowski Seeks Solutions to Mitigate Wildfire Impacts on Electric Grid

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the impacts of wildfires on the reliability of the nation's electric grid. In recent years, wildfires have increasingly caused widespread power outages, most acutely in Western states like California. During her opening remarks, Murkowski recounted last year's Camp Fire, one of the deadliest and most destructive fires in California's history. "The Camp Fire was a sobering wakeup… Continue Reading

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12.17.19

Committee Reviews Nominee for Office of Surface Mining

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider the nomination of Mr. Lanny Erdos to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) at the Department of the Interior. Murkowski opened the hearing by noting that while OSM plays an important role in approving and monitoring projects and reclamation, federal law clearly points to states as the lead regulator of coal mines. "In my home state of Ala… Continue Reading

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12.12.19

ENR Advances 19 More Bills to the Full Senate

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today held a business meeting to consider and report 19 public lands and energy-related measures to the full Senate. "This has been a remarkably productive year for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. We will now turn to negotiating our energy package, so we can have it ready to bring it up on the floor early next year," Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said. Murkowski highlighted several measures on the agenda, including legislation … Continue Reading

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12.10.19

Murkowski Convenes Hearing on IMO 2020

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the implementation of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) new global sulfur standard for marine fuels - known as "IMO 2020" - which will formally take effect on January 1, 2020. In her opening remarks, Murkowski highlighted the global health benefits that will result from the new standard. "Its purpose is to reduce air pollution from shipping around the world," Murko… Continue Reading

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12.09.19

IN THE PIPELINE: 18 Billionth Barrel of Alaskan Crude for TAPS

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the operator of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), announced the 18-billionth barrel of oil entered Pump Station 1 of the 800-mile pipeline-more than double what was originally projected. "TAPS is not just a pipeline, it is Alaska's economic lifeline. From day one, Alaska's pipeline has helped us build our state while also strengtheni… Continue Reading

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12.06.19

Murkowski Highlights Global Importance of Energy Efficiency

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week attended the inaugural meeting of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency (Commission) in Paris, France. Murkowski, an honorary member of the Commission, spoke to the importance of efficiency in saving energy, reducing energy bills, promoting economic growth, and addressing climate change. She also highlighted a number of successful U.S. initiatives, including the Federal Energy Management Pro… Continue Reading

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11.25.19

Delegation Applauds Presidential Memo on Alaska Mapping

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to map the shoreline and nearshore of Alaska and the United States exclusive economic zone (EEZ). "This is an important step for Alaska, especially for the Arctic as we are woefully behind in developing up-to-date maps for the region," Senator Murkowski said. "The Arctic is crucial to our nation's geopolitical, economic, and envi… Continue Reading

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11.21.19

Murkowski: Decline in Timber Revenue Means Increased Reliance on Federal Programs

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine federal payments to local governments provided through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs. As part of the hearing, the committee also received testimony on three bills: S. 430, a bill from Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000; S. 1643, Sen. Ron Wyden's (D-Ore.) Forest… Continue Reading

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11.19.19

ENR Advances Key Nominees, 15 Bills to Full Senate

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today held a business meeting to report three nominations and 15 energy and lands-related measures to the full Senate, including legislation focused on offshore revenue sharing and the deferred maintenance backlog at the National Park Service. The nominees advanced to the full Senate for confirmation votes are: Mr. Dan Brouillette to be Secretary of the Department of Energy; Mr. James Danly to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory… Continue Reading

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11.14.19

Murkowski: Brouillette Will Excel in New Role

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to consider the nomination of Dan Brouillette to be Secretary of the Department of the Energy (DOE). The Senate previously confirmed Mr. Brouillette to be Deputy Secretary with a strong bipartisan vote of 79-17 on August 3, 2017, and he has served in that role since then. Current Secretary Rick Perry has announced he will depart DOE on December 1. Murkowski opened the hearing by expressing her strong support for Brouillette's nominatio… Continue Reading

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11.13.19

Murkowski and Colleagues Address Youth Vaping Epidemic

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined her colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee today for a hearing to examine the federal response to lung illnesses and rising electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among youth. During the hearing, witnesses spoke about the public health response to the outbreak of lung injuries linked to the use of e-cigarettes, or vaping products, and federal actions to prevent youth from using electronic tobacco products. The hearing a… Continue Reading

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11.07.19

Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Legislation to Provide Alaska With Fair Share of Offshore Energy Revenues

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine federal revenues derived from energy development as well as programs that share those revenues with state, local, and tribal governments. As part of the hearing, the committee also received testimony on two bills: S. 2418, Sen. Bill Cassidy's (R-La.) Conservation of America's Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life (COASTAL) Act, and S. 2666, Sen. Martha McSally's (R-Ariz.) Public… Continue Reading

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11.05.19

Murkowski Expresses Support for Interior, FERC Nominees

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to consider nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The nominees are Ms. Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of DOI and Mr. James Danly to be a member of FERC. Murkowski expressed her support for both nominees and spoke to the importance of the positions they have been nominated for. "Interior is the steward of about 20 percent of all land in the United States, and … Continue Reading

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10.31.19

Murkowski Convenes Hearing on Recreation-Related Legislation

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today convened a full committee hearing to consider three recreation-related bills introduced by Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore. In her opening remarks, Murkowski noted that recreation is a continued focus for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "This hearing is building off of one we held in March where we focused on improving access, facilitating infrastructure, and streamlining permitting to meet the in… Continue Reading

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10.23.19

Murkowski, Manchin Introduce “Hot” New Bill to Advance Geothermal R&D

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States. The Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership Act of 2019 (the "AGILE" Act) includes provisions for research and development of both existing and enhanced geothermal systems, resource assessment updates, grant program authorization, and improved permitting. "Geothermal is a highly reliable, zero-emission resource able to pr… Continue Reading

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10.21.19

Murkowski Welcomes Nomination of Dan Brouillette to be Secretary of Energy

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Trump announced he would nominate Dan Brouillette to be Secretary of the Department of the Energy (DOE). "Dan is a great choice to be Secretary of Energy and I strongly support his nomination. I have enjoyed working with him as Deputy Secretary, appreciate his visits to Alaska, and have every confidence that he will excel in this new role," Murkowski said. "Once we receive his nomination and paperwork, we… Continue Reading

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10.18.19

Murkowski Thanks Secretary Perry For His Service

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Trump announced that Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will be departing from his administration. "I thank Secretary Perry for his service at the Department of Energy. He has been a leader on energy innovation, the expansion of America's energy trade, and efforts to increase our nation's cybersecurity. He has focused on the future - particularly quantum, artificial intelligence, and similar fields - and a… Continue Reading

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10.17.19

Murkowski: Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a Vital National Asset

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the status of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and its continued importance to our nation's energy security. In her opening statement, Murkowski highlighted the SPR as a vital national asset and the importance of maintaining a robust emergency reserve in case of supply disruptions and the economic shockwaves that can follow. "You don't give up your insurance policy when you're healthy, and we should not give up the SPR… Continue Reading

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10.16.19

Murkowski, Smith Introduce Indian Energy Legislation

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Tina Smith, D-Minn., today introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and improve the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (OIE). The bill, entitled the Tribal Energy Reauthorization Act (TERA), reauthorizes OIE and the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP) through 2030, updates eligibility requirements for energy project grants, and encourages more locally and regionally based partnerships when providing technic… Continue Reading

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10.01.19

Murkowski Statement on the President’s Intent to Nominate James Danly for FERC

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the President announced his intent to nominate James Danly to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). "I welcome the President's decision to nominate a Republican commissioner and to fill a critical seat that has now been vacant for nine full months," Murkowski said. "We will need to receive both a formal nomination and all associated paperwork before proceeding to a hearing, which has not bee… Continue Reading