Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Seeks to Clarify FERC/EPA Collaboration on Electric Reliability
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Tuesday sent a letter to members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking clarification on their collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency on proposed climate, water and other rules that could force the shutdown of the nation's coal-fired electricity fleet. "I am deeply concerned about the potential impact these rules may have on the reliability and affordability of our nation's electricity supply," Murkow… Continue Reading
05.17.11
Murkowski’s Response on Decision to End Denali Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the announcement that BP and ConocoPhillips were ending their joint Denali project to develop a pipeline to ship Alaska North Slope natural gas to the Lower 48: "While it's disappointing that BP and ConocoPhillips have decided to shut down their Denali project, there remains a lot of interest in getting Alaska's natural gas off the North Slope to Alaska households and bigger markets … Continue Reading
05.17.11
Murkowski: Safety Overhaul Should Spur, Not Impede Offshore Energy Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the importance of advancing safety and production legislation concurrently through the Senate. Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made her comments during a hearing of that committee on offshore safety. "Our goal should be to ensure our offshore industry is working safely, but that requires that it be working," Murkowski said. "I believe safety legislation is appropria… Continue Reading
05.14.11
Murkowski Comments on President Obama’s Weekly Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the President's remarks on gas prices and domestic production during his weekly address: "I've been strongly critical of this Administration's policies on domestic production, but today I want to give credit to the President. I've had the opportunity to talk directly with him regarding the importance of Alaska's oil reserves and the need to increase safe and responsible oil production here at home. Permitting is … Continue Reading
05.13.11
Murkowski Takes Lead to Honor Law Enforcement Fallen, Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senator Murkowski's resolution designating Saturday, May 14, 2011 as "National Police Survivors Day" - honoring family members who live with loss after those closest to them make the ultimate sacrifice. "Every year, America loses hundreds of men and women in the line of duty - and their families lose fathers, mothers, sons or daughters," Murkowski said. "I am proud my resolution sets aside a day for everyone across the country to rem… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Murkowski Co-Sponsors Bill To Improve Alaska Marine Highway
Washington, D.C.- Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mark Begich (D-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA 2nd), to introduce a bi-partisan bill in both houses of Congress that would improve and expand federal investment in ferries, a vital part of America's transportation system. More than 100 million passengers take ferries every year in at least 38 states, often between work and home. The transportation services offered by ferr… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Murkowski Comments on Proposed Alaska Roadless Rule Settlement in Tongass
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comments in response to the Forest Service's proposed settlement in the legal fight over implementation of the 2001 roadless rule in the Tongass National Forest: "While the proposed settlement language provides limited protection for a few specific hydroelectric projects, it does nothing for the dozens of hydro projects currently under consideration at FERC, let alone the hundreds of potential hydropow… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Murkowski: Increasing Access, Not Taxes, will Result in More Jobs and Lower Prices at the Pump
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment on the Senate Finance Committee hearing on national tax policy and the oil industry: "Today's Senate Finance Committee illustrates the stark choice we face. We can increase taxes on the oil and gas industry and drive jobs, revenues and more of our energy supply overseas or we can provide access to America's tremendous oil and gas resources - thereby creating jobs, generating more federal revenue … Continue Reading
05.11.11
Murkowski Crosses Aisle to Help Vets Hear “You’re Hired”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) today, in introducing new legislation to address rising unemployment among our nation's veterans. The Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 is the first of its kind to require broad job skills training for all service members returning home and comes at a time when more than one in four veterans aged 20-24 are unemployed. "It is tragic our men and women in uniform come back from combat and find that some federal and private se… Continue Reading
05.10.11
Senator Murkowski Joins Cabinet Secretaries at Arctic Council
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski will join Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in making history at this week's Arctic Council meeting in Nuuk, Greenland - becoming the first U.S. Senator and State Department Head to participate in the event. "Alaska is the reason that America is an Arctic Nation," said Murkowski, "and I thank Secretary Clinton for the invitation to share my knowledge, experiences and suggestions with the member nations." The main focus of this week's meeting is "Ch… Continue Reading
05.09.11
Senator Murkowski Welcomes New Chief Of Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced today she is promoting Legislative Director Edward Hild to become her new Chief of Staff, taking over the position previously held by Karen Knutson since 2007. "Ed is an intelligent and shrewd staffer who has done a lot for Alaska in his first two years in my office," Murkowski said. "Promoting him will expand the ability of our entire staff to set an agenda of accomplishments for our state and the country." Hild served as Legislative… Continue Reading
05.05.11
Murkowski Addresses the Importance of Cyber Security Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday addressed the importance of working with the electric industry to improve the nation's cyber security. "The danger posed to our nation's electricity infrastructure from a possible cyber attack is clear and should prompt Congress to provide government agencies with the authority to respond to such threats and vulnerabilities in a timely manner," Murkowski s… Continue Reading
05.05.11
Murkowski Takes Lead To Praise America’s Teachers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A resolution honoring American teachers co-sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. "I still remember Mrs. Buness, my 1st grade teacher in Wrangell who instilled in me a love for learning," Murkowski said. "America's children are being empowered every day by their teachers to think deeply about the world around them and become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow." Senator Murkowski was the lead Republican co-sponsor for the Teacher … Continue Reading
05.03.11
Murkowski: Clean Energy Deployment Administration Needs Offsets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed support for creating a Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA) to encourage development of new energy technologies, but made clear that the cost of the program would need to be offset by spending reductions elsewhere in the federal budget. "This debate should be about how to make better use of all of our resources, including the revenues that result from energy production," Murkowski said. "Despite the high in… Continue Reading
05.02.11
Murkowski Statement on the Death of Osama Bin Laden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, tonight released the following statement regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden: "Tonight we learned Osama bin Laden is dead. The man was behind some of the most inhuman and unprovoked deaths of innocents in generations -- the worst of which being the hateful 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. His death is a direct result of the determination of America's military and intelligence forces -- and it casts a well-deserved sp… Continue Reading
04.28.11
Murkowski Criticizes Plans to Raise Taxes on Energy Producers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement today in response to Majority Leader Reid's plan to hold a vote after the recess on raising taxes on energy producers. "Despite the fact that we, as a country, need more energy, not less, Democrats appear committed to a campaign to increase oil prices and drive investment, jobs and oil production overseas," Murkowski said. Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Commi… Continue Reading
04.15.11
Murkowski Seeks Comments on Draft Legislation to Address Nation’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a discussion draft of legislation designed to revitalize the nation's critical minerals supply chain. Murkowski is asking for public comments on the draft by May 6. "Minerals are the building blocks of our economy," said Murkowski, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "From rare earth elements to molybdenum, we rely on minerals for everything from the smallest computer chips to the tall… Continue Reading
04.14.11
Murkowski Presses Commerce Secretary For Fishery Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today highlighted the importance of Alaska's fisheries in a series of questions with Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke at a Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee hearing of the Appropriations Committee. "Over half of the fish harvested in the United States comes from sustainably-managed Alaskan fisheries - yet we receive a disproportionate share of the overall funding," Murkowski said. "We have the best fisheries science and management in th… Continue Reading
04.14.11
Murkowski Votes In Favor Of 2011 Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in favor of the 2011 federal budget - featuring the largest cuts in American history - while criticizing the vote's delay. "Here we are, halfway through the fiscal year without having come to an agreement on spending levels," said Murkowski. "There are entire public sectors whose hirings have been put on hold because of the fiscal uncertainty, like Forest Service workers to fight wildfires this upcoming summer." "Alaskans have underst… Continue Reading
04.13.11
Murkowski: President Obama’s Budget Address Will “Lose America”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to President Barack Obama's address intended to address the nation's spending and long-term debt. "The President's debt commission submitted its report in December. Representative Ryan released his plan last week. I'm glad that President Obama has joined the conversation about America's economic future, but his timing makes me question his motivation," said Murkowski. "If we're going to tackle the problem, we need to be working… Continue Reading
