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 to Introduce Bill Creating a National Volcano Monitoring System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pointing to Mount Redoubt's recent eruptions, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said today that she will be introducing legislation later this week to establish a national volcano monitoring system that includes the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) in Anchorage and Fairbanks. "Recently there were some comments made about federal spending for volcano monitoring being wasteful," Murkowski said in a Senate floor speech. "I can assure you that monitoring volcanoes is critica… Continue Reading
03.27.09
Murkowski announces stimulus funding for health center services expansion in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that Alaska will receive $3.6 million in stimulus law funding to expand services at 26 community health centers across the state. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that $338 million would be available nationwide for community health center service expansion under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus law. The department said that grantees submitted plans explaining how the gr… Continue Reading
03.27.09
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 Defense - Department of the Army $10,700,983 contract awarded to Doyon-American Mechanical of Fairbanks for the construction of a Stryker Wash Facility. The work will be performed at Fort Wainright. $38,588,284 contract awarded to Watterson/Davis JV of Anchorage for the design and construction of the U.S. Air Force … Continue Reading
03.26.09
Murkowski Asks Obama Administration for Updates on Allocation of Stimulus Money for Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, wants the Obama administration to provide her with regular updates on how stimulus funds will be awarded and allocated for Alaska and specifically what projects and programs will benefit. In a letter sent today to White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag, Murkowski said she agrees with President Obama that the economic stimulus law must be "targeted, timely and temporary." But Alaska's senior senator said she… Continue Reading
03.24.09
Alaska Delegation Asks For Meeting With Obama To Discuss Arctic Management
WASHINGTON, DC - The Alaska Congressional Delegation today asked for a meeting with President Obama to discuss Alaska's management of the Arctic. In a letter (attached) to Obama, the delegation urged the President not to take any "rash actions" regarding Arctic policy, saying that such a move could harm the nation's economic recovery as well as efforts to increase the nation's energy independence. "The Alaska delegation has taken the lead in protecting the Arctic and promoting conservati… Continue Reading
03.23.09
Murkowski Marks 20th Anniversary of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill: "Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. It is a day that Alaskans will never forget. We know of the damage to the ecosystem as a result of the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. But the spill also impacted thousands of Alaskans who live in coastal areas affected by the spill. Twenty years later, subsist… Continue Reading
03.23.09
Delegation Announces Federal Grant Symposium to be held in Anchorage April 14
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional delegation will host a grants symposium in Anchorage on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Dena'ina Center. This symposium will offer Alaskans the opportunity to meet with representatives from federal agencies to discuss potential grant opportunities along with specific eligibility and application requirements. As federal grants are distributed through a competitive process from each agency - all with individual guidelines … Continue Reading
03.23.09
Murkowski Announces More Defense Stimulus Spending for Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced Saturday that the Department of Defense plans to spend at least $197.4 million in stimulus funds on projects in Alaska. Murkowski announced Friday that Alaska will receive $71.4 million in new military construction funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the economic stimulus law. But a Murkowski staff analysis today of 3,000 facility repair and improvement projects designated for stimulu… Continue Reading
03.20.09
Interior Alaska Will Benefit from Stimulus Military Construction
WASHINGTON, DC -- U. S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), announced that the U.S. Air Force will spend $53.9 million in military construction funds appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the "economic stimulus" bill, to replace 76 family housing units on Eielson Air Force Base. Contracts are slated to be awarded in September 2009 with construction commencing in 2010. The work is expected to be completed by 2012. Fort Wainwright will see $3.45 million in stimul… Continue Reading
03.18.09
Murkowski Congratulates Lance Mackey and his Team on Winning Iditarod
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today congratulated Lance Mackey for winning the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race for the third consecutive year. Senator Murkowski attended the ceremonial start of the 2009 Iditarod in Anchorage on March 7 and visited with Lance before he began what has now become his third victorious race. "I extend my hearty congratulations to now three-time Iditarod winner Lance Mackey. Led by his team, Lance has gone through some of the most difficult t… Continue Reading
03.18.09
Murkowski Calls for Greater Support of Nuclear Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called on the Obama Administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost domestic power generation by supporting nuclear energy projects. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to review licensing and other issues related to nuclear reactor development, Murkowski pointed out that nuclear energy is currently the primary source of carbon-free power in the U.S., providing roughly 75 percent of the nat… Continue Reading
03.17.09
Murkowski Urges OCS, Public Lands Energy Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reiterated her support for increased development of energy of all types on public lands and the Outer Continental Shelf. At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Murkowski urged Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to help increase America's energy security by lifting restrictions on oil and gas development in the OCS, and boosting renewable energy development on public lands. "There's no reason to let our rich ener… Continue Reading
03.17.09
Murkowski Responds to Salazar's ANWR Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following response to comments by Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar about the feasibility of using directional drilling to access the oil and natural gas reserves beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Salazar told reporters that he's not convinced that directional drilling could be accomplished without impairing the ecological values of ANWR. Murkowski said she was disappointed to hear Sal… Continue Reading
03.16.09
Alaskan Delegation Works With USPS; Reaches Agreement On Future Of Bypass Mail Program
Washington, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional Delegation is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the Postmaster General over bypass mail rates. Included in an 84 page report from the Postal Regulatory Commission is the acknowledgment that the Alaska Congressional Delegation has expressed concern with the pending rate increase. In response, "the Postal Service indicates that it is working with shippers and air carriers in Alaska to change and simplify the acceptance of bypass… Continue Reading
03.13.09
Murkowski Warns Against Complacency Following Exxon Valdez Spill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Despite significant improvements in the prevention and management of oil spills, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today warned against becoming complacent with the progress made since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster. "While we have made significant progress in spill prevention and response, increased our scientific knowledge of oil spills, clean up and environmental monitoring, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent again" Murkowski said. She issued her war… Continue Reading
03.12.09
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 … Continue Reading
03.12.09
Murkowski Urges Careful Analysis in Transmission Fix
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today stressed the importance of working with states and stakeholders to expand the nation's electrical transmission infrastructure. At a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Murkowski said there may be a need to increase federal siting authority for transmission projects but Congress should first give careful consideration to the role of states in determining where best to place new power lines. "I'm concer… Continue Reading
03.12.09
Anchorage OCS Hearing to Focus on Energy Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the announcement that U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will gather public comment on oil and gas leasing off the coast of Alaska at a meeting in Anchorage next month. "I'm grateful Secretary Salazar is coming to hear from Alaskans firsthand about the importance of oil and gas production off our coastline," Murkowski said. Salazar will hold a public meeting on energy development on the outer continental shelf at th… Continue Reading
03.10.09
Murkowski Votes for Omnibus Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, made the following statement after voting in favor of the Fiscal Year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill: "Although I have concerns about the price tag of this bill, I heard from a number of Alaskans telling me how important some of the Alaska-specific projects were to their cities, towns, communities and villages. Defeat of this bill could have resulted in Alaska missing out on nearly $200 million in funding. My vote in the end was a vote… Continue Reading
03.10.09
Murkowski Sustains Knee Injury While Skiing in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, tore two ligaments and cartilage in her left knee on Sunday while skiing at Alyeska Ski Resort. Murkowski, an expert skier, fell while skiing on the south face of the mountain about noon Sunday, tumbling more than 300 feet down the mountain and tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (acl), medial collateral ligament (mcl) and lateral meniscus. "I've been skiing all my life, and this was just one of those unfortunate accidents that ca… Continue Reading
