SC Alaska News

This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee conducted a hearing to evaluate the nominations of William Doffermyre for Solicitor at the Department of the Interior, Kyle Haustveit for Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy), and Catherine Jereza for Assistant Secretary of Energy (Electricity). Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska focused on issues critical to her state during her questioning.

Murkowski highlighted concerns regarding carbon capture projects on Alaska’s North Slope, emphasizing their importance to the viability of the Alaska LNG project. She urged Kyle Haustveit to commit to supporting these projects due to their strategic energy significance. Haustveit responded by expressing his passion for carbon capture technology and its potential benefits.

Turning her attention to Catherine Jereza, Murkowski addressed challenges related to Alaska's unique grid infrastructure. She requested Jereza's commitment to critically assess Alaska's needs as part of ongoing grid modernization efforts. Jereza expressed enthusiasm about visiting Cordova and observing local innovations.

Finally, Murkowski questioned William Doffermyre about ensuring that the Department of the Interior adheres strictly to laws passed by Congress if confirmed as Solicitor. Doffermyre affirmed his commitment in response.

Prior to this hearing, four nominations were favorably reported by ENR in a business meeting, including Tristan Abbey for leading the Energy Information Administration and Leslie Beyer as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at Interior.