Lisa Murkowski

Does that review also include then the export possibility and ensuring that the licensing process will make it easier to export our SMRs to other countries?

I wanted to ask about something that has come up in the news recently about possible Department of Defense interest in conducting some tests at Yucca Mountain.

I deeply believe we desperately need a new policy on nuclear waste.

The cost of regulations that is the big barrier to market for new nuclear projects.

I think we need to assert that leadership and do so in a way that is smart and safe.

I am hopeful that along with Senator Cantwell, we will be able to advance some of the constructive ideas.

I have some concerns over the process associated with access to public lands for purposes of filming

I think it is going to be important to make sure that we have a level of revenue sharing where those states, those coastal states, that host economic activity off their shores, their coast lines, are fairly compensated.

I am moving forward with an Arctic initiative.

I think it speaks to the issue that we cannot always count on our Coast Guard to be the Medivac.

The issue of revenue sharing, fair and equitable revenue sharing, from our Outer Continental Shelf areas, is going to be a priority of mine.

If I can just give you a little direction here, in terms of the different mitigation ratios that are out there, part of what we are dealing with, I think, is the uncertainty to the operator, what will be required.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

I think it is important to state very clearly that the concern and the anxiety up north is this is GMT1, what is the next project going to hold, what will the precedents be.

I am very concerned that we get no funding from DOJ within BIA for our Public Law 280 States.

I think you would probably agree that we need a full on action plan because again it is not just Kivalina we are talking about.

I think you also would agree as a business person and one who looks longer term that it is difficult for any company to make the kinds of investment, the sizable investment that Shell will, without certainty as to whether or not you are…

I appreciate the fact that you not only went to see Kivalina but you met with not only our Native leadership at their winter retreat but also with the Governor, the leadership in the House and Senate, and the entire Alaska Congressional…

I think it is important that folks understand how this plan came to be and the thinking behind it.

I want to commend Secretary Jewell for giving us an excellent place to start that conversation.

These withdrawals have occurred despite the tremendous energy potential in those areas, despite the pressing need to refill our pipeline, and despite extreme opposition from most Alaskans.

The fear, of course, is that rather than creating efficiencies, what we may have developing here is additional unpredictability, lack of clarity in terms of where you are going with the project that deters investment, that really can…

I do not think that is where we should go, and I hope that is not where the Department is intending to go.

We need to do better. We must do better.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. I assume, Deputy Secretary Connor, you are available as we probe into the intricacies of the budget here, so appreciate your being here as well.