Press Release Says, Delegation Meets With NOAA and NMFS Administrators

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Don Young, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and Senator Mark Begich met this morning with Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator for the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Eric Schwaab, the Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service. This meeting was called to discuss a variety of issues under NOAA’s purview that will affect Alaska, including the proposed Critical Habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whale, the upcoming biological opinion on the Steller sea lion, the petitions to list the ice seals, and marine spatial planning. Alaska’s Congressional delegation served as a united front throughout the meeting, as they discussed the impact that various NOAA decisions could have on Alaska’s economy and its people.

“I was pleased that Dr. Lubchenco agreed to meet with all of us today,” said*Rep. Young. “I believe the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is being misused and the result is a great disservice to Alaska, its people, and its economy. I made it clear to the Administrator that it is important for the agency to have basic scientific information prior to any listing or critical habitat designation. Unfortunately, many decisions made by the agency under the ESA are done with little or no scientific information and that needs to change. I thank everyone for taking the time to meet this morning, and I look forward to more open discussions about Alaskan issues with Dr. Lubchenco in the future.”

“Alaskans are concerned about the growing number of endangered species listings, petitions to list and lawsuits,” said *Senator Murkowski*. “In this economic climate, the fear is that all this activity will hurt the economy of Alaska. I share that fear. Everyone wants to protect the environment, our wildlife and marine mammals, but the Endangered Species Act is being used as an instrument to stifle economic growth and development. I encouraged NOAA and the administration to use rigorous science in its decisions, and to be more aware of the potential economic harm its determinations can cause. This is not an issue just in Alaska; I’ve heard these same concerns throughout the country. ESA overreach could lead to a serious backlash against the act.”

“During the meeting, Dr. Lubchenco clearly heard the concerns shared by the entire Alaska delegation,” said Senator Begich. “I stressed to Dr. Lubchenco the importance of using proper science and weighing economic factors when considering ESA regulations and ocean zoning proposals. As NOAA continues to act, they must listen to Alaska’s communities and respect the unique circumstances that exist in each inlet and cove across our state.”

March 8, 2010 News from Senator Begich

March 8, 2010

UPCOMING EVENTS
March 11, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G-11

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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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Begich Statement on Block of Unemployment Benefits for Alaskans

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich issued a statement today in response to an attempt in the Senate by one lawmaker to block the extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA benefits for 30 days. Retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (R – KY) has refused to allow the Senate to adopt the legislation by unanimous consent. Without congressional action, federal authorization for the benefits expires on Sunday night

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Press Release Says, Rob Heun is sworn in as U.S. Marshal for Alaska

Former Anchorage Police Chief Rob Heun was sworn in today as the new U.S. Marshal for Alaska.
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Press Release Says, Begich Supports Jobs Bill in Senate; Effort supports small business, employment, infrastructure

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today supported the jobs bill moving through the U.S. Senate, designed to help small businesses expand and hire workers, and jump start infrastructure projects, including those in Alaska.  The Senate voted 62-30 to move forward with discussion of The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act.
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News from Senator Begich: February 22, 2010

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 25, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G-11

March 4, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Russell Senate Office Building
Room 188

March 11, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Russell Senate Office Building
Room 484

A Week at Home: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kotzebue, Mat-Su Valley

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Press Release Says, Begich Welcomes $3.6m for Juneau from Recovery Act; Funding Continues Development of Commercial Dock

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today announced the City and Borough of Juneau are receiving a $3.64 million grant to complete development of the Auke Bay Loading Facility. Competitively awarded through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant Program (TIGER) funding for the project has been provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

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Begich Statement on Death of Jim Bowles

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich released the following statement regarding the death of Jim Bowles, President of ConocoPhillips Alaska: Read the rest of this entry »

Begich Praises Army Corps Decision on Kensington Mine Project

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today issued the following statement after the Army
Corps of Engineers issued a decision that will allow Coeur Alaska, Inc. to
proceed with the Kensington Mine project near Juneau.
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Press Release Says, Alaska to get Regional Climate Center; NOAA reorganization puts more focus on Alaska, Arctic Issues

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich is applauding an announcement from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of a major reorganization of the agency responsible for fisheries, ocean health, weather predictions, environmental monitoring, and climate science that will result with more focus on Alaska and the Arctic.

NOAA’s announcement includes a plan to reorganize and consolidate its climate science and budget into a single NOAA sub-bureau called the National Climate Service. The reorganization establishes Alaska as one of six regional climate centers set up to answer questions about the many areas covered by NOAA.

“With fisheries, ocean health and climate change among some of the top issues in Alaska, this is good news as NOAA moves forward with its reorganization,” Begich said. “The decision to establish Alaska as a separate region in the new organization recognizes Alaska’s unique climate systems and the growing understanding that climate change in the Arctic is having global consequences.”

Currently, Alaska is served through a climate center in Reno, Nevada. Alaska climate researchers and policy makers have pointed out the difficulties with that structure as Reno is occupied with drought forecasting and other issues in the Southwest U.S.

“Whether planning for village relocation sites or making decisions on new utility corridors and roads over permafrost, Alaska has a huge demand for climate information,” Begich added.

Reorganizing federal climate science was the topic of a July 2009 Commerce Committee hearing where Sen. Begich asked agency leaders to come back to Congress with a plan that coordinates and integrates NOAA’s climate activities and budget.

Begich said to expect a congressional hearing when the specific details of the National Climate Service are delivered to lawmakers. The reorganization is not expected to result in any job losses or forced relocation of employees.

For more information go to http://www.noaa.gov/climate.

Press Release Says, Begich Urges President to Stay Focused on Oil, Natural Gas

Letter asks Obama to reconsider repeal of tax incentives for producers

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today urged President Barack Obama to stay focused on the need to increase domestic energy production as America transitions to alternative energy sources. Begich sent a letter to the president after Obama today told a White House media briefing that America’s energy future is a combination of old and new approaches including, “can we identify opportunities to increase our oil and natural gas production in a way that is environmentally sustainable? And that should be part of a package with our development of clean energy.”

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News from Senator Begich: February 8, 2010

News from Senator Begich: February 8, 2010

Upcoming Events:

February 11, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit
with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G-11

February 16, 2010
Anchorage
Field Hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Determine how to better serve Alaska’s Veterans and to review progress of the
Anchorage VA audit
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Alaska)
Loussac Library

February 17, 2010
Fairbanks
Field Hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Determine how to better serve Alaska’s Veterans and to review progress of the
Anchorage VA audit
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (Alaska)
Fairbanks Borough Assembly Chambers

February 25, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit
with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G-11

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Begich Praises Heun Confirmation

U.S. Marshal for Alaska receives Senate approval

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich issued the following statement after former Anchorage Police Chief Rob Heun was confirmed by the full Senate as the next U.S. Marshal for Alaska:

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Begich Statement on Bernanke Confirmation

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