Lisa Murkowski

I am looking forward to today's hearing.

So, clear benefit with regard to building out the economy.

I do think that there needs to be a space for tribal leaders and tribes to be in those conversations.

And of course, our very own Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young have been great supporters and champions of our renewable energy accomplishments for over two decades now.

I think there is a lot of interest in this by tribes who are looking to use this new authority.

That is an abomination. That is something that we collectively have to fix over time.

It seems to me that we just need to be communicating a little bit better.

Would you just commit to work with us on this?

If we are worried about emissions, why are we flying catfish from somewhere in the south to people who have some of the finest wild sources of protein in the world?

We have mentioned that we were able to amend the Energy Policy Act Loan Guarantee Program as part of the omnibus to eliminate this barrier to its use, allow applicants to receive direct funding from the Federal Financing Bank and Treasury.

I am very proud, particularly in Alaska, of the progress that some of our tribal entrepreneurs and Alaska Native Corporation leaders have made in growing not only Alaska's economy but the American economy.

But I think we know that this economic prosperity is not even across Indian Country.

I think as we are learning, passing the law is the first step, it is the implementation and making sure that American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian businesses and communities are treated as partners as we move forward is going to…

I think we have seen some good economic growth in the last few decades.

This was a real accomplishment for Native people across the Country.

In order to see continued economic improvements in Native communities, the role that we have here is to step up and work with Native businesses to break down the barriers.

Thank you. You have demonstrated that.

Our ability to access capital for the two hydro projects was fairly reasonable.

Our very own United States Senator, Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young have been strong advocates for our two hydro projects.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I really appreciate all of you for passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it is going to have an impact.

What doesn't make total sense is we are told that ANTHC is only authorized to supplant items within the food packages.

According to the Energy Information Agency, rural residents and villages in Alaska pay exponentially higher rates for electricity, with some rates reaching over $1 a kilowatt hour, or about 800 percent higher than the national average.

I think it is a recognition of the good work from this Committee that this tribal title was a significant part of VAWA.

Our commitment to Native American communities must be unwavering.