SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has played a significant role in advancing several Alaska-specific bills for consideration by the full chamber. The committee reported three bills sponsored by Murkowski and three she is cosponsoring.

The Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act, S. 3617, aims to address land entitlement issues for Cape Fox Corporation by allowing them to consolidate land ownership for infrastructure projects in Southeast Alaska. "Cape Fox was put at a tremendous disadvantage when it was forced to claim lands under ANCSA that offered no economic value to their village corporation," said Murkowski.

The Alaska Offshore Parity Act, S. 620, seeks to provide revenue sharing from offshore federal resource development in Alaska. It proposes allocating revenues to the State of Alaska, coastal political subdivisions, and the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund. "As the State with the largest coastline in the nation and tremendous offshore potential, it is completely unfair and unacceptable that Alaska be left ineligible for the same revenue sharing that other states already receive," Murkowski stated.

S. 4974 reauthorizes the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System to enhance research and monitoring capabilities across volcanic regions in Alaska and beyond. "For us, volcanoes are no abstract threat," remarked Murkowski.

The committee also reported on S. 3790, cosponsored with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), which extends the program allowing eligible Alaska Native Vietnam veterans to select land allotments they missed while serving in the military. "Thousands of Alaska Native veterans are still owed land allotments that they missed out on while serving our country," said Murkowski.

Additionally, S. 4664 aims to advance American leadership in artificial intelligence through existing Department of Energy resources, while S. 4932 focuses on renewing efforts in quantum technologies.