eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski

eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Vol. 3, Issue 1: :

Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Address Climate Change

In an effort to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, I have introduced energy efficiency legislation to promote the development of additional forms of renewable energy and to pave the way for improved fuel consumption by vehicles. The bill, the Renewable Energy, Fuel Reduction, and Economic Stabilization and enHancement Act of 2007 - the REFRESH Act - will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel usage by approximately 530 million metric tons
in the United States by 2025 - a 7 percent cut over what emissions otherwise may be that year.

In Alaska, we have certainly seen firsthand the effects of a warming climate in recent years. It only makes sense that we take common sense steps now to improve fuel efficiency, to promote the development of a wider range of alternative energy technologies and to encourage Americans to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. This bill includes vital measures we must take to reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislation, a companion to a bill by Senator Ted Stevens (S. 183) to raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) of automobiles to 40 miles per gallon within a decade, invests in alternative and renewable energy and promotes greater efficiency of energy use in the transportation sector. Combined, the two measures seek to reduce American fossil fuel
consumption by nearly 5 million barrels of oil a day by 2025.

Murkowski Named Ranking Member of Energy Subcommittee

I will serve as the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee includes oversight and legislative responsibilities for: nuclear, coal and synthetic fuels research and development; nuclear and nonnuclear energy commercialization projects; nuclear fuel cycle policy; DOE National Laboratories; global climate change; new technologies research and development; nuclear facilities siting and
insurance program; commercialization of new technologies including, solar energy systems; Federal energy conservation programs; energy information; liquefied natural gas projects; oil and natural gas regulation; refinery policy; coal conversion; utility policy; strategic petroleum reserves; regulation of Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and other oil and gas pipeline transportation systems within Alaska; Arctic research and energy development; and oil, gas and coal production and
distribution.

As we look to increase and diversify energy development in the United States, I will use my position as ranking member of the Energy Subcommittee to advocate for Alaska's role in meeting our energy needs. Alaska has more to offer than oil on the North Slope. We have abundant reserves of coal, and I will continue to promote investments in new clean coal technologies to find ways to bring this resource to market. Additionally, Alaska is rich in sources of renewable energy.

From the wind in the west - to our tremendous tides in southcentral - to our geothermal springs throughout the State, Alaska has potential to be a leader in alternative energy development. We must invest in the technologies necessary to develop these resources.

Join Senator Murkowski by Wearing Red on February 2

Everyone (men too!) can support the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red on February 2, 2007 — National Wear Red Day. It's a simple, powerful way to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke. By joining together with thousands of women, companies and organizations, and cities across America, you'll help the American Heart Association support
ongoing research and education about women and heart disease.

Murkowski Nominates Alaskans for Service Academy Appointments

I recently nominated 10 Alaskans for openings to each of the service academies - the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

For each academy at least one nominee will receive an appointment. Final selections, based on merit, should be announced in late spring. Appointees will begin their studies at the academies in June 2007.

We received many appointment requests from talented and gifted Alaskan students. It is unfortunate that we are unable to accommodate all of the nominees that have the makings of successful service men and women. I have the utmost confidence that those selected for appointment by the academies will represent Alaska with dignity and honor and enjoy outstanding
careers in our Armed Forces.

Murkowski Reintroduces Legislation from the 109th Congress

I have reintroduced bills from the past Congress that passed the Senate but were not taken up in the House before adjournment. My goal is to get the legislation before the respective Committees in the Senate early this year to allow enough time for the House to take action in this session of Congress.

The bills include:
• S. 202, Coffman Cove Land Exchange to convey 12 acres of surplus Forest Service land to the City of Coffman Cove. The parcel is near the new Inter-Island Ferry Terminal that the city hopes to use to help spur economic growth.
• S. 199, Village Safewater bill to reauthorize and increase the stream of funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to the State of Alaska for the purpose of constructing water and sewer systems in rural communities across Alaska.
• S. 200, Water Resources bill requiring the federal government to fund a comprehensive study of water resources in Alaska.
You can always check my website for an updated list of all legislation that I have sponsored and cosponsored.

Apply Now for Financial Aid for 2007-2008 Academic Year

January marks the start of the season for new and returning college students to apply for financial aid. I have joined U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings in encouraging students to file for their share of the more than $80 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study assistance to help pay for postsecondary education.

Students with financial need may qualify for grants, work-study or federally guaranteed loans.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, is the first step in the financial aid process. While available in both paper and electronic forms, ninety-five percent of the 14 million annual applicants use the on-line application, because the system flags errors that can be corrected immediately.

The United States Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website offers a wealth of information and tools for consumers as well as financial aid professionals. Here, consumers can learn how to select a school, apply for aid, or locate and repay federal student loans. The handy reference guide and fact sheet, "Tips for Paying for College," instructs filers on how to obtain a personal "PIN" number, gather the necessary income and tax records, and other helpful suggestions to make filing a FAFSA easier.

U.S. Department of Education Seeks Nominations for American Stars of Teaching

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking nominations for its fourth annual American Stars of Teaching project, which recognizes exemplary teachers who raise student achievement, use innovative classroom strategies and make a difference in their students' lives, Secretary Margaret Spellings announced today.

The American Stars of Teaching project is a component of the Department's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative, which was developed by teachers for teachers. Its overall goal is to engage some of the nation's best teachers and practitioners in sharing strategies for raising student achievement and informing teachers of the latest successful research-based practices. The initiative also includes regional and district summer workshops for teachers, roundtables, regular e-mail updates and other
professional development opportunities.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Receives National Acclaim

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) recently announces that Wilhelm Muench from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks will receive an Outstanding Student of the Year award from the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) on January 20, 2007 at the annual CUTC Awards Dinner in Washington, DC. Wilhelm is one of 34 students from across the country being honored this year for their achievements in transportation research, education and technology transfer.

Each of these future leaders attends a university that includes a DOT-funded University Transportation Center. The UTC program advances the nation's transportation system through education, research and technology transfer, and is administered by RITA. UTCs work collaboratively with the DOT and provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to
solving immediate and long-range transportation challenges.

Mr. Muench is pursuing his master of science in structural engineering where he works as a research assistant conducting traction and wear property tests on synthetic materials for the Yukon River Bridge.

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