Commentary By Lisa Murkowski
For The Cordova Times
The sense of community in Cordova energizes and fills me every time I’m there. Whether it’s walking the docks, talking with fishermen and small business owners, or just enjoying local events — there’s a sense of home and resilience in Cordova that should make you proud.
In the six years since Alaskans returned me to the Senate, I’ve had the honor of advocating for our unique way of life. If re-elected in November, your priorities will continue to be my priorities in the next Congress.
My efforts on behalf of Cordova’s hardworking fishing families and the broader Prince William Sound community are dominated by my commitment to keeping the Gulf of Alaska clean and our wild fisheries healthy and sustainable.
This year’s poor pink salmon run has threatened the survival of fishing families in the region. I’ve supported the governor’s request for federal disaster aid and I’ve encouraged USDA to purchase excess canned salmon for the Emergency Food Assistance program.
Genetically modified salmon are another recent threat to our wild fisheries. I’ve opposed attempts to import these “Frankenfish,” and introduced legislation that resulted in the current FDA ban. In addition to working to block “Frankenfish,” I’ve also pressed federal officials to require clear labeling so consumers shopping for wild Alaska salmon will never be fooled into buying a science experiment.
When you’ve reached out to my office, I have listened. My job is made easier when Alaskans speak up about what’s happening here at home.
You raised concerns about the potential impact of the U.S. Navy’s Northern Edge exercises in Prince William Sound. I recently pressed Navy leadership and Alaska Command to improve their outreach to Cordovans and other impacted communities.
One of the challenges we face in Alaska is the high cost of energy. As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I have pursued an aggressive energy and public lands agenda to promote our economic independence and self-reliance, while respecting our environment and conservation values.
Working to develop Alaska’s renewable energy resources, including hydropower, wind, geothermal, biomass, and yes, even solar, is paramount to our future success. I helped advance the Humpback Creek project several years ago to help diversify local energy options. Now the Crater Lake and Power Creek projects offer additional opportunities to develop abundant, affordable and cleaner sources of energy. Building alternatives to burning diesel for electricity generation is not only good for our environment, it’s also good for our economy
It is because of projects like Power Creek and Crater Lake that I have opposed the Obama administration’s proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Under the proposed rule, the permitting time for projects like these would more than double and its price tag would jump from $200,000 to closer to $1 million.
That simply does not make sense for a small community that’s trying to find affordable solutions to its energy challenges. If the added costs end up killing the hydropower project, Cordova will have to continue to rely on other less affordable sources.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ve led the effort to fund clean up of the marine debris that washes ashore, and as a co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus I have worked to educate my Senate colleagues about the seriousness of the problem.
The Senate set aside more than $7 million for the coming fiscal year to help clean up marine debris nationwide. I am committed to making sure Alaska’s coastal communities receive a fair share of these funds.
I’ve fought to fully fund the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools programs that bring more than $1 million annually to compensate Cordova for lost tax revenue.
I have worked to include funding in the federal highway bill for the Alaska Marine Highway as well as for harbors and other needed infrastructure.
I’ll continue to fight for Alaska when it comes to the policies and investment decisions made in Congress that shape our future. Yes, we face challenges and uncertainty but as long as we stand together, Alaska will remain an exceptional place that offers a culture, community and way of life we can all be proud of.
