Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, May 19, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Iraq Exposes Obama’s Weak Islamic State Strategy
• New York Times: Critics Hear E.P.A.’s Voice in ‘Public Comments’
• Politico: Skyrocketing Medicaid Signups Stir Obamacare Fights

U.S. Senate Events

UAF Helps to Empowering Alaska Energy

Alaskan Impact: Alaska is a leader in ‘all of the above’ energy – from offshore development of oil and gas to geothermal, wind, biomass and hydropower development. Energy diversity is good for Alaska and we have tremendous untapped potential. Chairman Murkowski reiterated this point at a Senate Energy Committee today focused on increasing the nation’s energy supplies, including multiple bills beneficial for Alaska.

6:00a.m. AKST

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing

Topic: “Energy Supply Legislation.”

Witnesses:

• Abigail Ross Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
• Susan N. Kelly, President and CEO, American Public Power Association
• Randal S. Livingston P.E., Vice President of Power Generation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
• Brent Sheets, Deputy Director, Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

(Click image to watch video.)
Chairman Murkowski: The proposals to lock off Alaska from development renders us wards of the state.

Maintaining Alaska’s Military Footprint

Alaskan Impact: Multiple Alaska provisions are included in this year’s military construction-veteran affairs budget, including: funding for projects at both Fort Greely and Eielson Air Force Base (including an F-35 simulator); bill language authorizing purchase of VA care for rural veterans through the Alaska Native health system; and language Senator Murkowski requested, asking the Air Force not to decommission the Clear Air Force Station combined heat and power plant. Today the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee discussed the 2016 budget.

6:30a.m. AKST

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Markup of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2016.

U.S. House Events

Safeguards Against Natural Disasters

Alaskan Impact: Given our location on the Ring of Fire, Alaska is no stranger to seismic hazards around the state—whether it’s volcanic activity or earthquakes. Senator Murkowski recognizes the risks associated with our state’s location, recently securing funding to support the Alaska Volcano Observatory’s monitoring activies. Today the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard from experts on how to safely build infrastructure to withstand seismic activity.

10:00 am

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing

Topic: Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee hearing on “Pacific Northwest Seismic Hazards: Planning and Preparing for the Next Disaster.”

Witnesses:

• Robert J. Fenton, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Scott A. Ashford, Dean, College of Engineering, Oregon State University
• Richard M. Allen, Director, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, University of California-Berkeley

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.