Sen. Murkowski Comments on Tongass Timber Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the Forest Service’s announcement of the Big Thorne timber sale. “I welcome today’s announcement that the Big Thorne timber sale is moving forward. I wish the sale was somewhat larger and of a longer duration, with a greater assurance of a long-term supply of […]
Wyden Statement on Deaths of Firefighters
Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement in response to reports of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 19 firefighters in Arizona: “I am deeply saddened by the news that 19 firefighters died battling a wildfire in central Arizona last night,” Wyden […]
Senators Push for Plan to Reform Budgeting for Wildfires and Increase Prevention Efforts
Washington, D.C. – In the midst of a rapidly intensifying fire season, four U.S. senators today called on the administration to produce a plan for budgeting for wildfires and increasing funding for fire prevention. For years, the U.S. Forest Service has cut prevention efforts to pay for spiraling fire-fight costs – a strategy that ultimately […]
Sen. Murkowski Comments on FERC Nomination Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the announcement that President Obama intends to nominate Mr. Ronald Binz to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and, if he is confirmed, to designate Mr. Binz as Chair to succeed departing Chairman Jon Wellinghoff: “FERC’s decisions have a direct effect on whether our […]
Senators Introduce Bipartisan, Comprehensive Nuclear Waste Legislation
Washington, D.C. – Today four senior U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan, comprehensive plan for safeguarding and permanently disposing of tens of thousands of tons of dangerous radioactive nuclear waste currently accumulating at sites dispersed across the country. Senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. – the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and […]
Wyden, Stabenow Introduce Bill to Diversify Nation’s Transportation Fuel, Cut Consumer Costs
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today introduced legislation to promote a more diverse mix of transportation fuels, cut consumer costs and reduce Americans’ dependence on oil in the transportation sector. The Alternative Fueled Vehicles Competitiveness and Energy Security Act of 2013 (S. 1230) expands existing Department of Energy […]
Murkowski: Innovation Needed to Reverse Falling Timber Harvests
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called on U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to take immediate steps to reverse declining timber harvests and return the Tongass National Forest to a working forest. (Click video for Sen. Murkowski’s opening statement) Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, […]
Sen. Murkowski Comments on Administration’s Climate Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech on climate: “The central feature of the president’s climate agenda is command-and-control regulations that will drive up energy costs for all Americans. This is exactly the opposite of what we should be seeking from our energy […]
Wyden Presses for Improved Management and Increased Harvests on Federal Forests
Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today pressed the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to take immediate steps to increase timber harvests and improve forest management, while maintaining important environmental protections. “Let me be clear: Our objective is to get harvests up without sacrificing bedrock […]
Wyden, Sanders Introduce Bill to Reduce Energy Use, Lower Home Utility Costs
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., today introduced legislation that will reduce energy use by helping homeowners install energy efficiency retrofits to their homes. The Residential Energy Savings Act of 2013 (S. 1200) provides homeowners with access to low-cost loans for energy efficiency retrofits, by offering loans to states […]