Sen. Murkowski: We Have an Obligation to Our Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today discussed the Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) programs during a Senate Energy and Natural Recourse Committee hearing on steps Congress can take to ensure that the federal government keeps its commitments to rural communities. (Click photo for video of opening statement) “The […]
Stakeholders Voice Support for Wyden Plan to Strengthen Rural Economies
Washington, D.C. – Representatives of resource-dependent communities, the administration and leading experts on rural economics, voiced support for a plan by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to strengthen forest communities in Oregon and across the country, in a hearing on Tuesday. Senator Wyden laid out his framework in an Oregonian op-ed, […]
Sen. Murkowski Comments on DOI Review of Arctic Exploration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to the Department of the Interior’s assessment of Shell’s 2012 Arctic exploration program. “There’s a history of safe drilling in Alaska’s Arctic waters going back to the 1970s. While Shell’s exploratory drilling program maintained that record of safety, they did […]
Sen. Murkowski Passes Legislation to Improve Energy Access in Denali
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for passing by unanimous consent the Denali Park Improvement bill, which includes three separate measures to decrease the use of diesel fuel and improve energy access in Denali, as well as honor Athabascan climber Walter Harper. The bill […]
Committee Passes 19 Public Lands Bills
Washington, D.C. – In its first markup of the 113th Congress, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee today passed 19 bills relating to public lands. All 19 bills were previously reported by the committee or passed by the full Senate in the last Congress. Below is the full list of bills passed. Agenda Items 1. […]
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Hydropower Bill
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today introduced the Hydropower Improvement Act of 2013. The bipartisan legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), James Risch (R-Idaho), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Patty Murray (D-Washington), and Mark Begich (D-Alaska). The bill seeks to substantially increase the United States’ hydropower capacity in an […]
Wyden Asks EIA for Gasoline Market Data to Explain Recent Price Spike
Washington, D.C. – Following months of record-high gasoline prices, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked the federal Energy Information Administration for data to explain the price spike. “American families and businesses have been paying record-high gasoline prices at the pump even as domestic oil production recently hit its highest level in […]
Murkowski Questions Nominee Jewell on Restoring Balance to Interior
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today questioned the nominee to be the next Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, about her commitment to return balance to the various missions, including energy development, of the Department of the Interior. “We need you to affirm that public lands provide not just a playground for […]
Wyden and Murkowski seek answers on natural gas pipeline rate cases
Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting information about rate proceedings the commission has initiated under section 5 of the Natural Gas Act since 2009. The request is part of the Chairman […]
Wyden: Northwest Needs Flexibility in FERC Transmission Rules
Washington, D.C. – Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to allow the Northwest to maintain control over its power future, by providing flexibility regarding compliance with FERC’s Order No. 1000 on transmission planning and cost allocations, in a letter sent today. “As you know, the […]