Lisa Murkowski

I need to have an action plan for the people of the State of Alaska on this, and I need you-all to be working with me a little more aggressively.

We're too dependent on our oil imports from the OPEC countries, and we're too vulnerable to the price instability in the global market.

We need to raise a little hell. We need to point out that there cannot be a double standard here.

If I could ask that we have more prompt replies.

I appreciate that you are working with us, and I thank you for that.

The report says when comparing jurisdictions, based on average government take among the cases generated for this study, all 3 Federal jurisdictions are levered a higher government take than other jurisdictions.

I think the realty of it is that it's easy to play politics with gas prices, and everybody has their bumper sticker solution to what we can do with it.

I think Ms. Murkowski made comment to the production of natural gas on public lands and waters that in fiscal year 2011 have actually dropped 11 percent from the previous year.

Any of the suggested alternative rates for Wyoming Federal lands, however, will deteriorate their competitive position in the market, which is rather weak, as it is.

I think it is important for us to understand where we're seeing the increased activity, and I would like to see more on the Federal side.

The American taxpayer was not getting its fair return

The difference that you might have in North Dakota or Texas is you've got a level of stability and predictability there that we're not seeing, certainly, with the Federal leases.

I'm more than a little bit disappointed about within the budget on the Alaska conveyance program, there's an enormous reduction to that program.

I disagree with the Administration's proposal to cut funding for fossil fuel work again by $105 million.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I do, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Thank you for your patience, Secretary.

I think that's important. Because we recognize that apparently there's $12 million now that's proposed in this budget for all methane hydrate research next year.

It is a very different market. It is a very different gas.

I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you more about that.

We're still trying to figure out how we access that. That's our challenge in the State right now.

My concern is is it does appear that we're directing an additional $2 million for yet a follow on study to one that you have agreed and I would agree was a pretty good study.

Senator Wyden and I have had an opportunity to be in discussion about some of that.

I believe that there is a useful role to be played in the financing and the deployment of our advanced energy technologies.

I certainly classify hydro power as a renewable resource and want to work to make sure that is clear in our policies.

I think the concern is that the funding is pretty anemic in not only the conventional but in the marine and hydro kinetic technologies as well.