Press Releases
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Currently showing results related to Energy
Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Alaska and Across Rural America
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday introduced legislation to enhance the security of our nation's electric grid. The bill, entitled the Protecting Resources On The Electric grid with Cybersecurity Technology (PROTECT) Act, establishes a grant program at the Department of Energy to advance the cybersecurity defenses of rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities in Alaska and throughout the nation. It also directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to incentivize cybersec… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Murkowski Highlights Potential “Unintended Consequences” of IMO 2020 Fuel Standards
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday sent a letter requesting that the Department of Energy monitor the potential impacts of the International Maritime Organization's new sulfur standards for marine fuels. The so-called "IMO 2020" standards are set to take effect on January 1, 2020. Addressed to Dr. Linda Capuano, Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the letter states: "As an Alaskan, I will always remain vigilant about unique consequences for the good people wh… Continue Reading
09.17.19
Murkowski: To Lead In Clean Energy, We Must Lead In Minerals
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the sourcing and use of minerals needed for clean energy technologies. In her opening statement, Murkowski outlined the link between minerals and renewable energy technologies, the fundamental role that minerals play in modern society, and the need for strong domestic supply chains. "Minerals are the fundamental building blocks for any modern technology, but they don't just appear out of thin air," Murkowski said. "As our en… Continue Reading
09.17.19
Murkowski Condemns Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following remarks about this weekend's drone attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. "I want to start today not with the topic of our hearing, but the topic dominating the headlines and that's the attacks over the weekend on Saudi oil infrastructure, which have threatened Middle East security and rattled global oil markets. "I condemn these attacks - I think all of us do - and those who perpetrated them. I have read the classified … Continue Reading
09.12.19
Delegation Welcomes Key Step for Coastal Plain Leasing Program
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today issued the following statements after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the oil and gas leasing program for the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "This is a major step forward in our decades-long efforts to allow for responsible resource development in Alaska's 1002 Area, and I thank Secretary Bernhar… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Murkowski Accepts Honorary Position on IEA’s Global Efficiency Commission
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that she has accepted an honorary membership position on the International Energy Agency's (IEA) independent, high-level Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency (Commission). The announcement was made at a brief press conference held today with Dr. Fatih Birol, IEA's Executive Director. "I am proud to be part of a concerted global effort to encourage energy efficiency and truly appreciate Dr. Birol extending this invitation," Murkows… Continue Reading
08.21.19
Murkowski Thanks Assistant Secretary Balash For His Service
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked Alaskan Joe Balash, who will be stepping down from his position as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior at the end of the month. "I greatly appreciate Joe's hard work and dedication at the Department, where he has led the way on a number of issues that are critical to our state and nation. From standing up the leasing program for the 1002 Area to the lifting of decades-old Public Lands Orders, Jo… Continue Reading
08.15.19
Murkowski Releases Discussion Draft of Strategic Energy for America Act
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a discussion draft of the Strategic Energy for America (SEA) Act of 2019, building from her recently launched Strategic Energy Initiative (SEI). "In this era of strategic energy competition, we must strengthen our tools of statecraft through a rational, long-term approach," Murkowski said. "What I have released today outlines the means to continue growing our nation's energy dominance. American companies and workers participate in highly compet… Continue Reading
08.05.19
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Help Develop Local Energy Infrastructure
Prior to the Senate's adjournment for the August state work period, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced legislation to improve access to the Department of Energy's (DOE) Section 1703 loan guarantee program. Her new bill would allow certain state financing entities to be fully eligible for the program, providing a new pathway for states to secure financing for projects that will reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. "Right now, the Department's loan guarantee program… Continue Reading
07.25.19
Carper, Murkowski Reintroduce Bill Incentivizing Homeowner Transitions to Cleaner, More Efficient Wood Heaters
U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reintroduced a bill today that would improve indoor and outdoor air quality and encourage manufacturing job growth by advancing the deployment of cleaner burning wood stoves, which are used by an estimated 11.5 million families throughout the United States. The Wood Heaters Emissions Reduction Act (WHERA) would … Continue Reading
07.25.19
Committee Focuses on Links Between Energy Innovation, Economic Growth, and Competitiveness
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine the importance of energy innovation to economic growth and our country's long-term competitiveness. Murkowski opened the hearing by outlining the broad importance of innovation to our success as a nation. "Whether we are looking to bolster our energy supply or reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, innovation will need to be front and center and recognized as our best solution," Murkowski said. "In Alaska, we have already se… Continue Reading
07.23.19
ENR Reviews U.S. Interests in the Freely Associated States
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing to examine U.S. interests in the Freely Associated States (FAS), which include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Relations between the U.S. and FAS began during World War II, when the United States ended Japanese occupation of the region. Murkowski opened the hearing by outlining the important relationship the United States has with these nations. "The FAS nations are … Continue Reading
07.16.19
Energy Committee Advances 22 Bills
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today held a business meeting to consider and report 22 energy-related measures to the full Senate. Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, thanked her colleagues for their bipartisan efforts to develop these measures and outlined the important work ahead on the Senate floor. "I'm excited to be moving legislation related to nuclear energy, mineral security, energy efficiency, and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration out of committee," Murko… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Murkowski: It’s Time to End the Nuclear Waste Stalemate
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine options for the interim and long-term storage of nuclear waste. The committee also received testimony on S. 1234, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act (NWAA), which was introduced in late April by Murkowski, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Murkowski opened the hearing by speaking to the importance of nuclear energy in our country's electric gene… Continue Reading
06.26.19
Delegation, Governor Welcome Lifting of PLOs to Restore Balanced Land Use in Alaska
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Rep. Don Young, and Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy, all R-Alaska, today released the following statement after the Department of the Interior issued new Public Land Orders (PLO) partially revoking a number of PLOs put in place in eastern interior Alaska in 1972. The Department also announced today it would partially revoke PLOs in place in the Bering Glacier area. Joe Balash, the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Int… Continue Reading
06.25.19
Murkowski: LWCF Can Do More for Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to review the implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program. In her opening remarks, Murkowski noted that her 2019 lands package - the John D. Dingell Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act - contained a provision to permanently authorize LWCF's collection and deposit functions and ensure that at least 40 percent of appropriated funding goes to the state-side p… Continue Reading
06.20.19
Murkowski Comments on New GAO Report on LWCF
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report on the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). "This report provides good information about how federal land management agencies have implemented a variety of programs supported by LWCF appropriations," Murkowski said. "Now that Congress has permanently authorized the deposit provisions of the LWCF, it is time to examine the program and the role it … Continue Reading
06.20.19
Murkowski: Geothermal Brings the Heat for America’s Energy Future
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine opportunities and challenges for advanced geothermal energy development in the United States. Murkowski opened by highlighting the capabilities of geothermal energy. "Whether it is used for heating our homes or keeping the lights on, geothermal provides clean and always-on energy that requires no external backup," Murkowski said. "We often hear about concerns with wind when it s… Continue Reading
06.18.19
Murkowski, Manchin Issue Statement on PROMESA Nominees
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement after President Trump formally nominated seven individuals to serve on the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) for Puerto Rico. All seven currently serve on the Board, but are subject to Senate confirmation in the wake of a recent court decision. "We appreciate the President's decision to nominate … Continue Reading
06.18.19
Murkowski: Maintenance Backlog Requires Comprehensive Fix
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine deferred maintenance needs and potential solutions on federal lands administered by the three major land management agencies within the Department of the Interior-the National Park Service (NPS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service (FWS)-as well as the USDA Forest Service (FS). Murkowski opened by acknowledging the magnitude of deferred mai… Continue Reading
