03.01.10

Murkowski Speaks at Arctic Policy Roundtable at New York Council on Foreign Relations

NEW YORK - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, helped lead a discussion on U.S. Arctic policy at a roundtable forum today at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. Also participating in the discussion was U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, a number of Arctic policy experts and several Alaskans, including Mayor Edward Itta of the North Slope Borough. Following is a text of Sen. Murkowski's remarks as prepared for delivery: "Good afternoon. It is my distinct pleasure to be back at the C… Continue Reading

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02.26.10

Sen. Murkowski Announces Sealaska Lands Bill Meetings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced a series of town meetings on the Sealaska lands bill to be held on Prince of Wales Island and in Southeast Alaska the week of March 8. "These meetings will allow those most affected by the Sealaska bill to have their concerns fully heard," Murkowski said. "I'm hopeful this effort will help us improve the legislation." Staff from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee are holding the following meetings at the requ… Continue Reading

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02.26.10

Murkowski Applauds House Disapproval Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, applauds the introduction of a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to disapprove the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) endangerment finding. Reps. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Collin Peterson, D-Minn., Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and Emerson, and Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, yesterday introdu… Continue Reading

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02.26.10

Murkowski Urges Senate to Start Over on Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement expressing disappointment at this week's health care developments: "It seems clear to me, after reviewing the White House health care proposal and watching Thursday's health care summit, that President Obama and congressional Democrats are intent on forcing a health care bill through Congress that the American people in poll after poll have roundly rejected. "The White House 'proposal' was little more t… Continue Reading

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02.24.10

Murkowski Criticizes Obama Administration ACUSHNET Decommission Proposal and Raises Transportation Worker ID Program with Secretary Napolitano

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today told Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that she is "greatly concerned" about the Obama administration's proposal to decommission the Ketchikan-based Coast Guard Cutter ACUSHNET. Murkowski noted that the Coast Guard covers 3.5 million square miles of ocean around Alaska and that decommissioning the ACUSHNET will make it "exceptionally difficult for the Coast Guard to meet an already challenging mission it faces… Continue Reading

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02.24.10

Murkowski Calls for Action to Help Tongass Timber Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called on the U.S. Forest Service to take immediate action to help Southeast Alaska timber industry transition to a second-growth forest products economy by allowing already-approved traditional timber sales in the Tongass National Forest to go forward. "While we go through your budget proposal, another small forests-product company faces having to auction off its equipment," Murkowski said at a hearing Wednesday on the Forest Service… Continue Reading

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02.22.10

Murkowski Comments on Senate Jobs Bill Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after voting against a procedural motion to move to a $15 billion jobs package. "I was disappointed that the Senate did not take this opportunity to vote on a bipartisan bill, crafted by Sens. Grassley and Baucus, that would have addressed a number of expiring federal laws tied to job creation. The bill written by the Majority Leader left out a number of other jobs-related provisions that were in the bip… Continue Reading

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02.22.10

Murkowski Response to Democratic Senators' Letter on EPA Regulation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement on Democratic senators' letter to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the economic threat of greenhouse gas regulations: "Last Friday, eight Democratic senators sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describing many of the same concerns I have been raising about that agency's attempt to impose back-door climate regulations under the Clean Air Act. "I welcome my colleagues… Continue Reading

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02.22.10

Sen. Murkowski: EPA Delay Still Ignores Economic Consequences

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that it will adopt greenhouse gas regulations this spring, but delay implementation regarding stationary sources until January. "While the delay in implementation is a small forced step in the right direction, the Clean Air Act continues to be the wrong tool for the job, and EPA's timeline continues to create significant and ongoing uncertain… Continue Reading

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02.18.10

Sen. Murkowski's Remarks to the Alaska State Legislature

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the following remarks to the Alaska State Legislature in Juneau: REMARKS OF SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI TO THE ALASKA LEGISLATUREFEBRUARY 18, 2010JUNEAU, ALASKA**** AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY ****________________________________________ President Stevens, Speaker Chenault, my friends in the Alaska Legislature, I'm glad to be home. And to our fellow Alaskans who are watching on Gavel to Gavel and listening on APRN and KTOO, than… Continue Reading

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02.16.10

Murkowski Response to Nuclear Loan Guarantee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the Department of Energy's announcement that it was offering the first conditional federal loan guarantee for new nuclear plant construction to Southern Co. "I applaud the Obama administration and the Department of Energy for moving forward on a loan guarantee agreement that could see construction of the first new nuclear power project in this country in more than 30 years," Murkowski said. "While there remain significant cha… Continue Reading

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02.14.10

Murkowski Statement on Death of Jim Bowles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on the tragic death of Jim Bowles, President of ConocoPhillips Alaska: "I am very saddened to hear of the tragic death of Jim Bowles. Jim was a great partner in the responsible development of Alaska's natural resources. He truly loved Alaska and spending time outdoors. I'm deeply saddened by his untimely death and send his family my deepest condolences" ###… Continue Reading

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02.11.10

Murkowski on Obama’s Conflicting Energy Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor on the disconnect between President Obama's remarks on energy during his State of the Union Speech and the priorities indicated in the budget request. Below is a copy of her remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. President, when President Obama delivered his first State of the Union Address two weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised by his remarks on energy policy. In addition to calling for bipartisan legisla… Continue Reading

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02.08.10

Murkowski Applauds Three Year Exemption for Iditarod Air Force

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Iditarod Air Force a three year exemption to fly in support of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. The all-volunteer Iditarod Air Force has been flying in support of the race for more than 20 years, but has had to apply for exemptions from the FAA for the past two years to do so. FAA regulations prohibit volunteer pilots from accepting any cost deferments such as fuel, acc… Continue Reading

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02.05.10

Murkowski slams denial of Conoco NPRA permit

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reacted to the Obama administration's denial of Conoco Phillips' permit to construct a bridge to access what would have been the first oil and gas lease in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve (NPRA), insisting the company instead use directional drilling for the development. For decades, those who oppose developing ANWR or Alaska's offshore fields have continually cited the 23 million-acre NPRA as the area where development should occ… Continue Reading

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02.02.10

Murkowski on Rob Heun's Confirmation as U.S. Marshall for Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate tonight confirmed by unanimous consent former Anchorage Police Chief Rob Heun as the U.S. Marshal for Alaska. Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, congratulating Chief Heun. "President Obama could not have picked a more appropriate man for the job. Law enforcement is a team sport. It works best when federal, state and local agencies are on the same page. Nobody knows this better than Rob Heun who spent 23 years on the Anch… Continue Reading

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02.02.10

Sen. Murkowski Supports Persily for Alaska Gas Pipeline Coordinator

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement regarding Larry Persily's nomination to be Federal Coordinator of the Office for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. "I'm pleased that President Obama has moved quickly to fill this important position," Murkowski said. "I've known Larry for years and I'm confident he will work tirelessly to see that a North Slope gas pipeline becomes a reality." If confirmed as federal coordinator, Persily wou… Continue Reading

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02.02.10

Delegation Announces Grants and Contracts to Alaska Programs

Washington, D.C. - The Alaska Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce the following grants awarded to communities in the State of Alaska: U.S. Department of Transportation: • $367,500 to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for the purchase of transportation vehicles and equipment.• $274,000 to the Municipality of Anchorage for the purchase of a replacement bus.• $945,680 to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to move a … Continue Reading

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02.01.10

Murkowski Comments on President’s Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement today after President Obama released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2011: "The President released his proposed budget today for the Fiscal Year that begins October 1, 2010. Although I have not yet had a chance to study the document in detail, there are a few areas of concern, including an elimination of the $10 million fund for Denali Commission health care facility construction and the U.S. Department of… Continue Reading

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01.29.10

Sen. Murkowski Applauds Open Season Filing for Alaska Pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement on the beginning of TransCanada and Exxon Mobil's open season for an Alaska natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48: "The start of an open season on a gas line represents real progress," Murkowski said. "This marks the first time Alaska has seen a major producer come together with a pipeline company to solicit binding commitments for the transport and delivery of North Slope natural gas to markets in the L… Continue Reading