Press Release Says, 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:

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Murkowski Comments on the President’s Latest Health Care Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comments after President Obama unveiled his latest version of a Democratic health care reform plan:

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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:

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Press Release Says, Sen. 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.
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Press Release Says, Murkowski Remarks to the Alaska State Legislature

REMARKS OF SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI

TO THE ALASKA LEGISLATURE

FEBRUARY 18, 2010

JUNEAU, 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, thank you for inviting me into your home.

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Senator Lisa Murkowski Issues 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:

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Press Release Says, 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, accommodations and food.

Sen. Murkowski has strongly supported the Iditarod Air Force in years past and has assisted in obtaining previous exemptions.

“I am pleased that the FAA continues to recognize the importance of the volunteers in the Iditarod Air Force and found a way for them to operate, while protecting safety and addressing the concerns of commercial carriers,” Murkowski said. “I am also pleased that a three year exemption has been granted giving the Iditarod Air Force, race organizers and the FAA time to find a permanent solution to this issue. I look forward to assisting in that effort.”

The Iditarod Air Force flies food and fuel to checkpoints for both dogs and mushers, transports volunteers, judges, and veterinarians as well as moves dropped and scratched dogs.

The extension, Exemption No. 9810A, will expire after the 2012 race.

Press Release Says, 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 occur instead. If a producer cannot get across the Colville River, however, NPRA’s resources are effectively off-limits.

“I am alarmed and amazed by this short-sighted decision, which totally ignores the economics of future energy development in all of northern
Alaska,” Murkowski said. “Directional drilling can work in ANWR because the oil is concentrated in the northwest corner. That is an entirely different situation than the vast and widely distributed deposits in the NPRA, however, and the administration knows it.”

While the one oil deposit that Conoco is trying to access may be within reach of directional drilling, the known deposits that are next in line for
development are more than 10 miles away from existing infrastructure and far outside of the technological scope of extended reach drilling. The bridge and the related pipelines are essential for additional oil and gas development from the petroleum reserve.

“If allowed to stand, this myopic decision will kill all future oil development from the nation’s largest designated petroleum reserve and probably stop all future natural gas production from the area as well,” Murkowski said. “The loss of energy potential is staggering for the nation and it would happen for absolutely no environmentally sound reason.”

“America is dangerously reliant on foreign oil.  Restricting access to even more of our domestic resources is simply unacceptable,” Murkowski said.

Although Conoco Phillips may reapply for the permit, it is clear that they have lost another drilling season because of this regulatory overreach.

Press Release Says, Sitting Legislators Running for State Office Suspend Campaign Fundraising

Most candidates running for office can raise campaign funds year- round. However, Alaska Statute 24.60.031 forbids sitting legislators and legislative employees from accepting campaign contributions or pledges for future contributions while the legislature is in session. This law was
enacted to ensure that a legislator’s vote could not be unduly influenced by campaign contributions. This restriction does not apply to candidates that are employees of the executive branch, since they are in their offices every day of the year.

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Press Release Says, Senate Bipartisan Working Group Outlines Goals for 2010 Legislative Session

(JUNEAU) – The State Senate Bipartisan Working Group outlined its goals and priorities for the 2010 legislative session, which began today in Juneau.

“Alaska is facing some major challenges this year, and we are anxious to getstarted working on solutions and long-term plans,” said Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), leader of the working group. “We are committed to an agenda that will build, energize and protect Alaska.”

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Legislative Update From Representative Bryce Edgmon

Legislature Convenes in Juneau;
Parnell Delivers State of the State

On Wednesday night Governor Parnell deliv-ered his State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate. As usual, I listened closely for indica-tions that the administration will give rural Alaskan indi-viduals, communities, and industries the attention and focus they deserve.

On fisheries, the governor boasted that his Fish & Game budget for FY11 is strong enough to make sure our fish-eries managers will have the high quality scientific data necessary to make the right decisions. I will be working with my fellow House mem-bers on the Fish & Game Fi-nance Subcommittee to make certain that the department has all the tools it needs to ensure a healthy future for our fishing industries.

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