Lisa Murkowski

Are we in agreement as to what it is that we are attempting to achieve with the renewable energy standard? Is it the reduction of emissions, or is it an increase in renewable energy production?

States, of course, are in a far better position than Congress to determine what resources and timetables work best for them.

We need to ask ourselves what we are trying to achieve with this program. Is our aim simply to increase renewable energy production? Or is the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

I know this is an important issue for the Chairman, who has been a long-time champion of a national Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for convening this hearing today. This is the first in a series of hearings the Energy Committee will conduct as we work to craft the third comprehensive energy bill in as many Congresses.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think that at least my goals are to try and focus on these social goals of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, increasing environmental quality, increasing energy security, improving sustainability, and lowering costs.

I would like to thank Senator Dorgan, Senator Murkowski, and indeed the entire Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for all of their hard work on behalf of Indian health.

Tribes are ready and willing, and we have the resources. There is no doubt about it.

But it really is very, very tragic that Alaska Native villages have to depend on Venezuela for their safety net.

Forty-nine percent unemployment nationally on Indian reservations.

We have the resources, whether they be geothermal, wind or ocean energy or energy from the river, biomass, we have it all.

To create jobs and make investments in areas where those investments are desperately needed.

The recovery package contain the NCAI-recommended 'Access to Capital' provisions

Nowhere in this Country is the need for infrastructure greater than on Indian reservations.

I am truly hopeful that we can once again act in a bipartisan manner and work to include funding to address the urgent needs of Indian Country in this proposed stimulus package.

I think when you have good leadership and a sense of pragmatism, we can make good things happen.

I'm asking for your commitment, Senator Salazar, as you move into this position in Interior, to work with us to complete these transfers that were promised to Alaska at the time of Statehood.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think we recognize that it is not just some decision in senior year of high school that a young man or woman decides, 'I am done with this. I am out of here.'

We can't have a gap in any part of this educational system where it is kind of OK for you to slough.

We believe, are making a difference. They are still very, very necessary to ensure that Alaska Native children have educational equity with their nonNative peers across the country.

Our education statistics are not anything to be proud of as they relate to our Alaska Natives in terms of achievement, dropout rates, college enrollment.

I appreciate the opportunity to work with you on the childhood nutrition and your comments about just the physical health of our children.

The gaps are wide, and they are unacceptable, and we are working aggressively to deal with it.