Articles & Op-eds
SitNews: Governor, Senator, & Ketchikan Officials Address Coronavirus Contingencies & Prepardedness
by Mary Kauffman
On the state level, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy submitted a supplemental budget amendment Monday to fund ten additional temporary positions within the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) preparedness and response. The governor's supplemental budget would provide the Alaska Division of Public Health with five new public health nurses, three nurse epidemiologists, one microbiologist in Fairbanks to assist with lab testing, and one emer… Continue Reading
03.04.20
KTVA: Murkowski says new energy bill will benefit Alaskans
by Jennifer Summers
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will file the American Energy Innovation Act as a substitute amendment to United States Senate Bill 2657, a bill she introduced that lawmakers are debating this week. Murkowski says the package includes more than 50 energy-related bills and focuses on many areas that will benefit Alaskans including: Mineral security Energy storage Efficiency Cybersecurity Solar and wind Geothermal Marine energy and hydropower Advanced nuclear - through micro-reactor… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Trade Only Today: Sen. Lisa Murkowski visits University of Alaska maritime training center
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski last month toured the University of Alaska Southeast Maritime Training Center, which has been training mariners for more than 30 years, in support of the maritime industry. The center is located on the water in Ketchikan and includes a welding lab, navigation simulator, and diesel and electronics labs. Murkowski expressed support for Alaska's maritime industry when she visited, thanking faculty members for providing "valuable training opportunities for Alaskans,"… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Washington Examiner: Biggest update to energy law in a decade heads to Senate with bipartisan support
by Abby Smith
Senators, including key Democrats such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted overwhelmingly on Monday to start debating what could be the most comprehensive update to U.S. energy law in more than a decade. Schumer, in remarks before the vote, said he would vote yes "as a show of good faith" after talks with the bill's sponsors, Senate Energy Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about a "fair amendment process. … Continue Reading
03.03.20
Daily Energy Insider: Sens. Manchin, Murkowski introduce American Energy Innovation Act
by Kevin Randolph
Sens. Manchin, Murkowski introduce American Energy Innovation Act U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released on Feb. 27, the text of the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), a compilation of more than 50 energy-related measures individually reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) last year. AEIA, S. 2657, aims to ensure the United States remains a global energy leader, strengthens national security, increases U.S. international competitivenes… Continue Reading
03.02.20
WAVY: Senators call for more seasonal work visas to help seafood industry
Seven senators are asking the Department of Homeland Security to allow additional visas for temporary non-agricultural workers. The senators say the authorization is needed to help support seafood businesses in Virginia and states like Alaska, Maryland, and North Carolina. H-2B visas allow employers to temporarily hire non-immigrants to perform nonagricultural labor or services in the United States. Officials say the visas are critical to the survival of Virginia's seafood industry - particul… Continue Reading
03.02.20
PR Newswire: Protect Our Power Welcomes Federal Legislation To Safeguard Electric Grid from Attacks
The electric grid resilience organization Protect Our Power welcomed the planned introduction in Congress of energy legislation that includes provisions to better protect the U.S. electric grid against physical and cyber threats. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, Chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has released the text of The American Energy Innovation Act, co-authored with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, Ranking Member of the Committee. The legislation includes provisions aimed … Continue Reading
03.02.20
E&E News: How 3 metals could drive the EV revolution
by Peter Behr
The acronym "NMC" may be the key to a global competition to push down the cost of lithium-ion batteries, and thus the key to the future of electric vehicles. The letters stand for compounds of nickel, manganese and cobalt, three elements that are vital ingredients in the most common of today's EV batteries. Combined into a complex lattice structure, they form the battery's positive electrode where lithium ions gather as the battery delivers its power. Today, scientists on three continents are … Continue Reading
03.02.20
Alaska Journal of Commerce: US Commerce Department allocates $35 million for Alaska fisheries disasters
by Elizabeth Earl
Fishermen affected by the 2018 Pacific cod and Chignik sockeye disasters will soon have access to about $35 million in relief funding. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross allocated about $65 million to fisheries disaster relief, about $35 million of which is for Alaska, according to a Feb. 27 announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Within Alaska, about $24.4 million will go to the Pacific cod fishery disaster and about $10.3 million to the Chignik sockeye fishery. T… Continue Reading
02.28.20
Reuters: U.S. senators unveil bill to support renewable and nuclear power, efficiency
by Timothy Gardiner
The top two senators on the U.S. Senate energy committee unveiled a bipartisan energy legislation package on Thursday that would support renewable energy, efficiency measures and nuclear power, and aides said it should move quickly to a vote in the chamber. The American Energy Innovation Act compiles more than 50 bills that were considered by the Senate Energy Committee over the last year. Before becoming law, it would have to be passed by the Senate and House of Representatives and signed by P… Continue Reading
02.28.20
Global Mining Review: Senate energy package recognises importance of American mining
by Jessica Casey
The National Mining Association (NMA) has applauded the Senate's 'American Energy Innovation Act,' which includes important steps to address the nation's alarming mineral import reliance and to increase the nation's development and deployment of essential carbon capture technologies. "Mining has never been more important to energy needs," said Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO. "From the fuels that provide the foundation for the nation's electricity grid, to the materials essential to future te… Continue Reading
02.28.20
International Business Times: Energy News: Murkowski, Manchin Join Forces To Modernize Energy Laws
by Marcy Kreiter
KEY POINTS The American Energy Innovation Act combines 50 bills handled by the Senate Eenrgy and National Resources Committee Environmental groups say the bill does not do enough to address carbon pollution The bill also address cyber- and grid security Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Thursday introduced a massive energy bill that seeks to modernize domestic energy laws and strengthen national security, focusing on new technology to make cars and trucks more … Continue Reading
02.28.20
Bloomberg: Senate to Take Up Bill Boosting Climate R&D, Avoid Regulations
by Ari Natter
Legislation that could be voted on by the U.S. Senate as soon as next week aims to boost energy storage technology as well as nuclear and renewable power -- but avoids more aggressive steps to fight climate change sought by Democrats. The bill, unveiled Thursday by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, represents the GOP's latest approach of promoting clean energy while steering clear of mandates to cut emissions of climate-warming gases or stop fossil fuel development … Continue Reading
02.28.20
The Hill: Murkowski, Manchin introduce major energy legislation
by Rebecca Beitsch and Rachel Frazin
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Thursday introduced a long-awaited energy package that's shaping up to be the best chance this year for passing legislation to expand the use of cleaner forms of energy. The American Energy Innovation Act would touch nearly every aspect of the energy industry, incorporating more than 50 bills advanced by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took steps Thursday to bring the … Continue Reading
02.25.20
Ketchikan Daily News: Murkowski speaks on impeachment
by Sam Stockbridge
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski spoke with the Daily News on Thursday in Ketchikan about her pivotal role in last month's Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, calling it "a pretty ugly time in Washington." Murkowski voted against calling new witnesses for the Senate trial and eventually voted to acquit President Trump on both articles of impeachment, though speaking on the Senate floor on Feb. 3 Murkowski called the president's behavior "shameful and wrong." The Senate voted against he… Continue Reading
02.25.20
KRBD: As nature of war changes, Murkowski suggests revisiting 2001 military authorization
by Eric Stone
Sen. Lisa Murkowski visited Ketchikan on Friday, where she met with local officials, tribal leaders and business groups to discuss federal issues affecting the region. Afterwards, she sat down with KRBD to talk about her worries about growing unchecked presidential power in Washington. Murkowski made national headlines after she broke with Republican colleagues on a mid-February vote to limit the president's power to strike Iran. But without a veto-proof two-thirds majority, the resolution will… Continue Reading
02.24.20
Ketchikan Daily News: Murkowski talks AMHS
by Sam Stockbridge
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, discussed the Alaska Marine Highway System and an assortment of other issues with the Daily News on Thursday during her two-day visit to Ketchikan. Murkowski has been on a visit to Alaska over the past week, stopping in Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. In Southeast Alaska communities, she said she expected to hear from residents about the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in the Senate, or the ongoing U.S. Forest Service consideration of a … Continue Reading
02.23.20
KCAW: Murkowski circles up with Pacific High students
by Catherine Rose
US Senator Lisa Murkowski took time during the congressional recess to make a swing through Sitka this week. She did all the expected things, like addressing the Chamber of Commerce and meeting with community leaders to discuss funding priorities. And the senator did one unexpected thing: She spent the afternoon in a talking circle with just over a dozen students at Pacific High School- where one of the most influential voices in Washington had to wait her turn. Pacific High students start and… Continue Reading
02.23.20
Anchorage Daily News: Worries about the fate of the Denali Park Road persist as tourism season looms
by Morgan Krakow
As the summer tourism season approaches in Alaska, anxiety continues to simmer around the fate of the road that runs through Denali National Park and Preserve. The Denali Park Road is the only way to drive into the park. Running east to west, through steep mountain passes, the road carves through the 4.7 million acre park. Private vehicles are restricted along the 92-mile road past Mile 15, but hundreds of thousands of visitors each year rely on buses run by commercial operators to take them i… Continue Reading
02.19.20
Juneau Empire: Murkowski: ‘Do what’s good for Alaska’
by Peter Segall
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has a message for the state's lawmakers: it's time to move past partisanship and toward solutions. Speaking to the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol Tuesday, Murkowski said the current environment in Washington was one of the most bitter and divided of her career. Murkowski, one of Alaska's two Republican senators, is often considered a moderate in Washington and in her address to the Legislature said she felt worn down by "one of the darkest, most partisan … Continue Reading
