Murkowski Cautions Against Combining Energy and Climate Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today responded to comments by Majority Leader Harry Reid that he hopes to combine a mandatory cap on carbon emissions with a Renewable Electricity Standard and expanded federal siting authority for electrical transmission infrastructure into a single bill on the Senate floor by August.

 

“The energy committee is working full-tilt on a comprehensive energy bill that will include the issues that relate to transmission siting and renewable energy. I think it’s important that we let the energy committee proceed with developing bipartisan legislation,” Murkowski said. “These are complex and controversial issues that will have wide ranging impacts on our economy. They deserve a full vetting through the committee process.”

 

“I also strongly disagree with attempts to do an end run around Congress and mandate what would be the biggest change in our energy policy in the nation’s history through the budget reconciliation process,” Murkowski said. “The majority leader and the White House should work in a collaborative way to draft the best policy, not maneuver to exclude those who express legitimate concerns.”