Lisa Murkowski

Just following up on Senator Corker's comments and the statement that I made about developing our own resources.

That's where I would hope that if you've got some protocols that have been put in place similar to what we're looking at with the Arctic Council...

So is this a situation where the decision is made on a case by case, day by day basis?

But the President of the International Association of Drilling Contractors says that they would like to see some form of blanket authority from the White House to allow any available U.S. ship or equipment to help if there was a spill.

How we work cooperatively, I think, is going to be critical as we see greater developments within these areas.

I think that that's a good initiative going forward in the Arctic.

It makes no sense for America to sit stubbornly in between active drilling operations in neighboring waters with our arms folded.

The word 'soon' has been used repeatedly for probably at least 4 months now.

As a State, as a Nation, we have an opportunity within the National Petroleum Reserve to help address some of our Nation's energy needs.

We have been waiting and waiting and waiting for resolve of this issue.

I don't know whether it is Mr. Miller that we would need to discuss it with, or if there is someone else on your staff, but it is my understanding that the issue in Juneau has not yet been resolved.

I am kind of reaching back to a letter that I had sent to you earlier this year.

The world that is opened up through access to the Internet truly can be transformative when we talk about our economic opportunities.

In Alaska, we don't have Tribal lands. And I want to make sure that he is talking about the villages in Alaska that have ANCSA lands, they are not Tribal.

The system from Kodiak up around, would be around $400 million to build. But over time, it will save ten times that, or a hundred times that, in costs to the Federal Government and the State government.

I am concerned that the FCC is there looking to reform that they have not adequately considered the unique situation that we face up there in Alaska.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the hearing and I apologize that I wasn't here for your opening comments.

I do think it is important that we understand how this, through access, we really can make a difference in the lives of so many who choose to live in their homelands and want to remain there.

So you are ensuring that throughout this process, we don't drop the ball in terms of that commitment, then?

I appreciate that commitment. I do recognize that this is imminent, that it should be out very, very quickly.

Okay. I think, Mr. Chairman, that is all I have.

Without this funding for rural service providers, service rates for our sparsely populated remote areas I think would increase to levels that I don't think would be acceptable.

I think we all, as policymakers, need to be careful about not only the language that we use but how we describe certain processes because I think it does cause unnecessary alarm or concern.

But just from a practical perspective, wouldn't it make sense to determine first whether or not the States are doing an adequate job in terms of the regulation?

It would certainly seem to make sense that there be some level coordination, or at least sharing of the information there between EPA, you and the BLM.