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 Comments on Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s Retirement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following reaction to the news that New Mexico Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, plans to announce that he will not run for re-election. "I have very much enjoyed my time working with Chairman Bingaman on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee," Murkowski said. "He has been an honest partner in developing legislation, and under his leadership there's b… Continue Reading
02.17.11
Murkowski Disappointed That TSA Caved to PETA Pressure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed disappointment that the Transportation Security Administration has cancelled its planned recruitment efforts at the 2011 Iditarod Sled Dog Race due to pressure from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In a letter to TSA Administrator John S. Pistole, Murkowski said the Iditarod captures "the spirit of Alaska and our State's rich history," and urged Pistole to reconsider the agency's decision. Murk… Continue Reading
02.17.11
Murkowski Welcomes Senate Defeat of Amendment to Eliminate Essential Air Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the Senate's defeat, 61 to 38, of an amendment by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, to eliminate the nation's Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Forty four communities across Alaska receive EAS subsidies. In a Senate floor speech earlier this week, Murkowski said elimination of the air service would be an "economic and transportation disaster" for Alaska, arguing that, unlike the rest of the nation, most of Alaska's EA… Continue Reading
02.16.11
Murkowski Announces Military Will Extend JPARC Comment Period
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that the military granted a two-week extension of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) comment period for proposed enhancements to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC). In a phone call with Murkowski, Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, Commander, Alaskan Command, said the military would extend the comment period through March 4, 2011. "While I understand the JPARC's unique value to the state and our nation's military, I … Continue Reading
02.16.11
Murkowski Cautions EPA Officials Against Overreaching with Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter sent today to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, cautioned the federal agency against overreaching in its assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed and prejudging any project prior to the release of a detailed development plan and the completion of a full scientific analysis of potential impacts. "I believe the EPA should commit now to refraining from exercising a veto of development in the Bristol Bay area at… Continue Reading
02.16.11
Murkowski Questions Need for Increases to Energy Department Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following opening statement at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Energy Department budget for fiscal year 2012: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased to be here today as we gather to organize the Committee for the 112th Congress and hold our first hearing as a reorganized entity. "I'd like to welcome the Senators who are returning from last Congress, as well as our unusually high number o… Continue Reading
02.15.11
Murkowski: Tapping ANWR Improves Energy Security and Reduces Deficit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced two pieces of legislation to increase domestic oil production by tapping the energy reserves in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "Now is the time to develop our domestic oil reserves in the ANWR coastal plain," Murkowski said. "For far too long, we've kept resources under lock and key that could improve our energy security and create badly-needed jobs. There's no excuse for continuing to pay… Continue Reading
02.14.11
Murkowski Comments on the President’s FY 2012 Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, made the following statement after President Obama released his budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2011: "I was disappointed that the President's budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 doesn't do near enough to reduce spending and cut the deficit. In fact, the Fiscal Year 2012 budget proposal would increase spending and add an additional $7.2 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. That is clearly unacceptable. … Continue Reading
02.14.11
Murkowski Defends Essential Air Service to Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today warned against a move to eliminate the nation's Essential Air Service (EAS), a program that brings vital air service to 44 rural Alaskan communities across the state. In a Senate floor speech, Murkowski spoke against U.S. Sen. John McCain's amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill that would terminate the $212 million EAS program. "I can say without any reservation that this amendment would create an econ… Continue Reading
02.14.11
Murkowski Announces Upcoming Town Hall Meetings on Sealaska Land Exchange Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced the latest round of informational meetings to gather public comment on the Sealaska lands bill. The meetings are set during the President's Day congressional recess for Feb. 21-22 in Ketchikan and Craig on Prince of Wales Island. McKie Campbell, staff director of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Republican staff, will be on hand to discuss the latest draft of the proposed land exchange. • Ketchikan - Monday, F… Continue Reading
02.13.11
Murkowski Commends U.S. Coast Guard on Dramatic Rescues
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commended the United States Coast Guard for the rescue of 18 fishermen in four incidents over the last two months in Alaskan waters. The most recent incident occurred early Friday morning when the Coast Guard rescued five fishermen from a grounded vessel near Kodiak Island. This was the second major rescue in a week; on February 8, the Coast Guard saved five fishermen from a grounded vessel near Unalaska in the Aleutian Islands. On… Continue Reading
02.11.11
Murkowski Comments on SBA’s Revisions to 8(a) Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the Small Business Administration's (SBA) comprehensive revision to its regulations governing the 8(a) business development program: "The SBA's revision of its regulations governing the 8(a) Business Development program, the first significant revision of these rules in a decade, is thoughtful and comprehensive. It bears noting that the final rule characterizes the 8(a) program as 'a mu… Continue Reading
02.11.11
Senators Support Kantishna Micro Hydro Project
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today reintroduced legislation that would facilitate the permitting and construction of a micro hydro project inside the non-wilderness part of Denali National Park. The bill directs the National Park Service to issue a special use permit to speed construction and provides authority to exchange ten acres of Doyon owned land in the Kantishna area with the National Park Service. "Hydropower provides electricity that is clean and renewable, and we shou… Continue Reading
02.11.11
Murkowski Welcomes Mubarak’s Exit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's decision to step down: "This has been a painful process for the Egyptian people, and I welcome President Mubarak's decision to step down. Egypt is undergoing a generational political change, and at this point no one can say for sure what the outcome will be. It is my hope that this action will relieve some of the tension and put the Egyptian people on a path to greater stability and po… Continue Reading
02.10.11
Murkowski Comments on Possible Overestimates of Saudi Oil
WASHINGTON, D.C. ¬- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on a surprising report that Saudi Arabia might not have sufficient oil reserves to stabilize global supplies and prices: "The conventional wisdom is that America can rely on OPEC's spare capacity to keep world oil prices stable, but there's increasing evidence that this is a mistake. "If reports that Saudi oil reserves have been inflated are true, it would be irresponsible and downright dangerous for us to continue t… Continue Reading
02.09.11
Murkowski Comments on ConocoPhillips Closing Kenai Facility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement today in response to ConocoPhillips' announcement that it was shutting its Kenai liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility. "The closure of the LNG plant will leave a huge hole in Kenai's economy and my first thought is for the employees and their families, many of whom are wondering what they're going to do now," Murkowski said. "This announcement highlights the urgent need we face to find a way to commerciali… Continue Reading
02.09.11
Murkowski Welcomes First Oil Production at Eni Field
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today congratulated the members of oil company Eni's Alaska team for successfully beginning production at their Nikaitchuq field. "This is great news for Alaska. It is exactly the kind of project we like to see because it shows our resources can be safely developed and globally competitive," Murkowski said. "The future of the trans-Alaska pipeline, and most likely the state, depend on our ability to increase oil production." Nikaitchuq i… Continue Reading
02.09.11
Sens. Murkowski, Begich Introduce Fix to Help Small Miners
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Small Miner Waiver Clarification Act was reintroduced today by Alaska's U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich. The legislation would clarify federal mining law to remedy a problem that has arisen from the extension process for "small" miner land claims. "The existing law is clearly falling short of what it was designed to do - exempt small miners from the claim maintenance fee," Murkowski said. "The bill we introduced today provides a simple administrative fix to rem… Continue Reading
02.08.11
Murkowski Comments on Pacific Walrus Endangered Status
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that the Pacific walrus would be designated a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service said the Pacific walrus warrants ESA protection, but it won't move forward with a formal listing at this time because of more pressing higher priority species listings. As a result, the Service said the walrus will be added to… Continue Reading
02.08.11
Sens. Murkowski, Begich Ask for Parks Highway Right-of-Way for Gas Line
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Denali National Park and Preserve Natural Gas Pipeline Act was reintroduced today by Alaska's U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich. The legislation would authorize a right-of-way along the Parks Highway for construction of an Alaska in-state natural gas pipeline. "Southcentral needs natural gas and an in-state line provides an alternative solution to their future needs," Murkowski said. "By eliminating the uncertainty of permitting and regulatory delays, the Parks H… Continue Reading
