Lisa Murkowski

Chief, you and I have both acknowledged that in order to get to that second growth we can't just snap our fingers.

Overall, we found shortcomings in the areas of oversight, expenditures and administrative requirements.

We all know what it's been.

The Federal compensation programs that we're talking about today, whether Secure Rural Schools or Payment in Lieu of Taxes, have been extraordinarily valuable in our rural communities, certainly in my State of Alaska.

Even though the Tongass management plan calls for 267 million board feet. So what we're saying is, is that we're delivering a little bit more, but we're not even half way to what the Tongass management plan calls for.

We recognize the challenges. I would certainly concur with the chairman here, that we need to find longer term solutions so that we don't go from year to year.

What we are concerned about is the level at which the program is funded.

But both of these plans that are in process now effectively create new wilderness without the requisite congressional approval for the declarations.

I appreciate that commitment. I think we recognize that it is a new area up there although not unexplored back in the 1980s.

There's a 1980 Alaskan National Interest Lands Conservation Act contained within ANILCA is a provision that effectively precludes the Administration from declaring major, new conservation areas in Alaska.

The NPRA plan calls for placing 52 percent of the Nation's largest petroleum reserve into protected status.

I'm asking for your commitment that you will work with me, work with the State of Alaska in addressing this shameful eyesore that's been left by the Federal Government.

I know that in your written statement you provide that one of your top priorities is in upholding the sacred trust responsibilities to the Native American and the Alaska native communities.

I would hope that you would be willing to work with us in encouraging just that aspect.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We are all aware of instances where misguided Federal restrictions are making it harder for local people to live, to be safe, to prosper.

Until that happens King Cove will stand as a prime example of Federal over reach and the harm that it can cause.

There is every reason to be efficient. There is every reason to squeeze everything that you can out of the energy that comes our way.

We must do more to discourage the inefficiencies that I think we see oftentimes with regulation.

Energy is good. It provides the basis for modern society.

As a consumer of energy, as we all are, we should all be focused on energy and what we can do to make a difference.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning to focus on an energy efficiency specifically.

I think it is important that we share our ideas between the two Houses, certainly amongst members and our parties, and I welcome the opportunity for future dialogue on energy efficiency and all things energy.

One of the most important Federal responsibilities across our Nation is the trust responsibilities for American Indians, Alaska natives.

I am worried that the wolf is already inside.