Lisa Murkowski

It's somewhat amazing to me that the EPA has decided to make Alaska, of all places, its problem child.

This bill is a major step towards allowing the United States to substantially increase the capacity and generation of clean, renewable hydropower resources.

I think we recognize that with the challenges that we have faced with the Continuing Resolution, that doesn't respect the fact that you have a very, very brief window to get those materials on to the barge that will make it up there.

We are very encouraged with that. But there is some anxiety given what we are facing with the budget and budgetary constraints that IHS will not be able to meet its commitment to provide the equipment and the staffing packages in fiscal…

We are very, very concerned about this timing and we need to have a little more assurance that in fact this is all going to work together.

There is some real concern that these proposed changes might undermine the progress that the tribal consortium within the State have been made.

The concern here is all about timing.

So really we don't have to do that much in terms of any new technologies. We just move it quicker.

But given that we've already used some pretty substantial amounts of sea water.

Gentlemen, thank you.

So the decay radiation in this spent fuel that we're moving and saying OK, after 5 years we're going to move this. You're still going to have a level of radiation there.

It's probably too early for us to say that this situation is under control.

The President's fiscal year 2012 funding request of $67 million for enhanced stock assessments is an increase over the fiscal year 2010 and 2011 requests to ensure that annual catch limits are based on the best available science.

We employ, well, I guess it is more than 60,000 Americans that are directly or indirectly employed in the industry.

We are very concerned about it, having sat down with Jane Lubchenco and talked about this and the timing and the critical aspect to how you ensure that the funding tracks with the deployment so that there is no gap.

We recognize that the single most common trait seen among the fisheries and the communities is their dependence on well-managed marine resources.

What we really need is environmental data collection, mapping, integration, and all of that...

Well, we would like to be kept abreast on that because the concern, of course, is that if the startup funds aren't in place, then program implementation may be delayed.

Mr. Secretary, welcome and thank you for your leadership.

As you know, we have the most abundant fisheries in the Nation.

I have indicated to Alaskans that I would follow up directly with you.

I appreciate your actions with the Ted Stevens matter. This is something that has so troubled Alaskans to the core.

I think you knew that I was not satisfied with Mr. Welch's response to my concern, and Alaskans were certainly not satisfied with the response.

I will tell you that we are not done attempting to resolve this issue, and I will be asking for your support as we try to pursue this.

So, at this time, I would ask you, Mr. Attorney General, if you can explain, as specifically as you can, why the Justice Department did not pursue an indictment against Mr. Allen on these charges.