U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks with reporters after delivering an address to a joint session of the state Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks with reporters after delivering an address to a joint session of the state Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Murkowski pushes back on federal government in speech

  • By Becky Bohrer
  • Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:54pm
  • News

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski used her speech before state lawmakers Wednesday to push back against a federal government that she says seems to want to starve the trans-Alaska pipeline system of new oil.

Murkowski, chair of the Senate energy committee and Alaska’s senior senator, said she’s never been a good alarmist but it has become harder for her to conclude otherwise given recent federal actions.

She cited as examples President Barack Obama’s recommendation to make oil and gas development off limits in the potentially oil-rich coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by seeking a wilderness designation, even though that plan would need congressional approval. Murkowski also cited the Obama administration’s proposal to bar drilling in millions of acres of Alaska’s Arctic waters.

She said the viability of a ConocoPhillips project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska was put into question by “hugely expensive” mitigation measures that Obama’s administration was trying to impose on the company.

ConocoPhillips Alaska late last month said it was slowing the pace of investment on the project, calling it challenged by permitting delays, requirements and current oil prices. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management last week issued a final decision on the project, under which the company said it voluntarily agreed to contribute $8 million to a compensatory mitigation fund.

Alaska relies heavily on oil revenues to fund state government, and the trans-Alaska pipeline is its economic lifeline. Alaska changed its oil tax structure in 2013, in hopes it would lead to more production. The state currently faces projected multibillion-dollar deficits, exacerbated by the plunge in oil prices.

The state has more support in the Senate today than probably at any other point during Obama’s administration, Murkowski said. Republicans took control of the Senate during last fall’s elections, putting Congress in GOP hands.

Murkowski called on lawmakers to join her in pursuing every legal, legislative and public opinion strategy that they can muster to secure Alaska’s future.

She said she believes there is a chance that a land exchange could be devised to transfer parts of the refuge into state control or that part of the coastal plain could be purchased. She said she would fight for the state to take the lead over activities in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and would put together an energy bill that includes provisions beneficial to Alaska.

Members of Alaska congressional delegation have introduced legislation to allow for development from the refuge’s coastal plain. Murkowski and fellow Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan also have introduced legislation that would bar executive action designating national monuments on federal lands and waters without the approval of Congress and the legislatures of the affected states.

State lawmakers have met Obama’s refuge proposal, which Congress would have to approve, with resolutions calling for drilling on the coastal plain. Members of Alaska congressional delegation have introduced legislation to allow for development.

State legislative leaders and Gov. Bill Walker hope to build support among other states in pushing back against areas of perceived federal overreach.

A contingent of lawmakers met this week with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell during her trip to Alaska, as did Walker, in hopes of impressing upon her the impacts that federal decisions have on Alaskans.

Walker spokeswoman Grace Jang said by text message Tuesday that Walker wants to keep open the door of communication with the federal government. She said Walker has not given up on getting some kind of concession on the refuge and therefore did not present her with an invoice for state health care and education costs, as he previously told reporters he planned to do.

Murkowski delivered her speech to a joint session of the Legislature. Such addresses are customary for Alaska’s U.S. senators.

More in News

Erin Thompson (courtesy)
Erin Thompson to serve as regional editor for Alaska community publications

Erin Thompson is expanding her leadership as she takes on editorial oversight… Continue reading

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

Most Read