Lisa Murkowski

It just seems like in so many situations you can read the writing before you have even made the application.

I think it is important that we really do try to emphasize that local hire and making sure that we have the individuals that are trained prior to the disaster hitting us.

They clearly believe that the magnitude of loss that was suffered there merited the Individual Assistance program.

We have many small communities that feel that perhaps they have been discriminated or the treatment is just not on a level playing field.

I think we worry around here about picking the winners and losers, rather than thinking about the comprehensive energy policy that you talk about.

I want to ask about developments in NGTL's gas to liquids.

I think it is important that you do make that statement, do make that commitment because I think in our work here in the committee, again, we look to you for scientifically rigorous and impartial data.

We really do have to have an energy policy that is comprehensive.

When I look at the deeply troubling situation in North Africa and the Middle East, I don't see a future where we can afford to play politics with energy at the national level.

Natural gas is clean burning and abundant. It's well understood. It's scalable.

I appreciate that you are working with some challenges there that are perhaps a little bit unique.

And I appreciate that you are giving that considered attention to some of the unique obstacles that we face.

I appreciate the fact that full reimbursement will be applied.

But that is something that you are tracking?

I think we all know in our heart it is not good, it is not a healthy situation.

There is also a piece where some of this activity occurs in major urban areas, where we don't necessarily have the culturally appropriate services in those areas for Alaska Native and American Indian women.

I think we did a focus group last year on this issue, focusing on Alaska Native and American Indian women and commercial sex trafficking and found a lack of research and understanding of the issue.

We have seen a couple of major cases in Alaska involving Alaska Native women coming, perhaps, for health care to Anchorage and ending up in the hands of commercial sex traffickers.

We are seeing these increased rates in Alaska where young girls are literally being hunted.

We have struggled for so long in our State to try to improve these statistics...

Any act of violence against any woman is simply unacceptable.

I am also pleased to join with the Chairman in introducing S. 1160, the Department of Energy Administrative Improvement Act of 2011.

The bill of special interest in Alaska and other hydrocarbon-producing states will allow for co-leasing of geothermal production.

The bill sets up a revolving loan program to help overcome the costs of high-risk geothermal exploration wells.

This bill closes most of the remaining gaps the nation's strategy for helping geothermal energy expand.