Sen. Murkowski Delivers Keynote Address at TREM Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today delivered the keynote address at the Technology and Rare Earth Metals (TREM) Center’s 12th Annual Conference. The Senator’s remarks highlighted the importance of domestic mineral production and the urgent need to update federal policies in this area. “There is no question that a stable and affordable […]
Getting the Whole Story Right at the Washington Post
The Washington Post published a front-page story today on the economics of buying an advanced light bulb. The Post included a graphic (PDF below) to illustrate that owning the “L Prize” LED light-bulb will cost consumers more than if they owned less efficient incandescent light bulbs. This is bogus. The problem with the graphic is […]
Week Ahead: March 12-16
On Monday, March 12, the Water and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing on specific energy and water policies and programs that the U.S. Department of the Navy is implementing as it pertains to its operations and facilities. The hearing will be streamed live (audio only) on our website. Witnesses include Hon. Ray Mabus, Secretary […]
Passage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Amendment
Today, the Senate voted 76 – 22 to provide $1.4 billion in dedicated funding over the next two years for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This vote will provide $700 million for each of the next two years to help protect some of our nation’s most significant resources, and represents a major increase […]
Oil Prices, Gas Prices and Domestic Production
Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, has a well-deserved reputation for focusing on facts. He worries about the many myths surrounding gasoline prices, oil prices and domestic production. Today, on the Senate floor, he called out some of these fictions and refocused attention on the facts. “I wanted to speak for a few […]
Forest Service FY13 Budget Request
“Today the Committee will consider the President’s request for the Forest Service’s FY 2013 budget. The request would result in a 1 percent decrease in the overall Forest Service budget, with a slight increase in the discretionary accounts. “The budget has a number of high spots: For example, many of us on this committee support […]
Murkowski Decries Forest Service’s ‘Restoration to Poverty’ Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on the lack of timber sales in the Tongass National Forest, which are crucial to the economy of Southeast Alaska. Murkowski called the agency’s preference for stewardship contracts over timber sales insufficient to meet the economic needs of Southeast […]
Murkowski, Hastings Call on EIA to Clarify, Re-Release Federal Energy Production Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Washington, today sent a letter to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) urging expedited corrections to any potential errors in its data for oil and natural gas production on federal lands. Murkowski and Hastings believe it is incumbent on statistical agencies to provide auditable […]
Week Ahead: March 5 – 9
On Tuesday, March 6, the full committee will consider the President’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2013 for the Forest Service. Chief Tom Tidwell, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture will testify. (Dirksen 366 at 10:00 a.m.) On Wednesday, March 7, the national parks subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on several bills: S. 29, […]
Innovation for our Nation’s Energy Future
Let me congratulate the Department of Energy and ARPA-E on this third successful Energy Innovation Summit, and thank Secretary of Energy Steve Chu and ARPA-E Director Arun Majumdar for inviting me today to speak. All of us know that science and innovation plays a fundamental role in shaping our energy future. We also know that […]