Murkowski Morning Meeting for Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Murkowski Morning Meeting
The DC Daybook with Alaska in Mind
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

U.S. Senate – Events

Incentives for Renewable Energy

Alaskan Impact: Senator Murkowski has said on numerous occasions that an “all of the above” approach is needed for our national energy policy – including Alaska’s vast renewables. This morning the Senate Finance Committee took up the issue of alternative energy tax incentives and the effect short-term extensions have on technology development, investment and American jobs. As investors consider building renewable energy projects across Alaska, the on-again, off-again nature of federal support for alternative energy throws into doubt the viability of many of those proposals.

5:45am AKST
Senate Finance Committee Hearing
Topic: “Alternative Energy Tax Incentives”
Testimony from:

• Molly Sherlock, specialist in energy tax policy, Congressional Research Service
• Will Coleman, partner with Mohr Davidow Ventures
• Martha Wyrsch, president of Vestas-American Wind Technology

Questioning/Hearing: http://1.usa.gov/srJgf9

Sen. Cornyn (R-TX): What’s the tipping point when renewable companies don’t need incentives?

House of Representatives – Events

Strengthening the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Boosting our Economy

Alaskan Impact: Alaska’s top three trade partners are Japan, China and Korea. Our fourth is Canada, who stands with America to push for a Trans-Pacific Partnership. Eight years ago, the U.S. established its first Free Trade Agreement with Singapore – something that’s still lauded as a success. Today the House Ways and Means Committee examined the economic impact of expanding our ties across the ocean.

6:00am AKST
House Ways and Means Committee Hearing
Topic: “Trans-Pacific Partnership”
Testimony from:

• Demetrios Marantis, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
• Devry Boughner, director of international business relations, Cargill, Inc.
• Angela Hofmann, vice president of global integrated sourcing and trade, Wal-Mart Stores

Questioning/Hearing: http://1.usa.gov/t1BB5L

On the Hill – Events

Helping Alaska’s Children Stay Cyber Secure

Alaskan Impact: The stats in Alaska bear it out: our children are near the top in Internet usage, so parents must stay aware – with cyber threats the new worry for Alaskan parents. As children under the age of 18 go online more, they are 51 times more likely to have their identity stolen than the average adult. Urban Alaskan households lead the nation in broadband Internet access, and more than 83 percent of Alaskans aged three or older are online. The Congressional Privacy Caucus hosted a forum today on how to keep our children safe against these threats – and what else can be done.

7:00am AKST
Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus – Forum
Topic: “Online Privacy and Protection”
Participants:

• Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, Co-chairmen of the Privacy Caucus
• Jon Leibowitz, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman
• Julie Brill, FTC Commissioner

For more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. or to find out Senator Murkowski’s view on these issues – contact the Communications Office at 202-224-6665.
www.murkowski.senate.gov