Frank

In the waning day of the Clinton administration, Chairman FrankMurkowski (R-AK) and four other Republican members of the SenateEnergy and Natural Resources Committee have called on the presidentto refrain from enacting regulations that could put off limits evenmore federal lands for natural gas and oil producers. Such actionwould only aggravate the current gas price and supply crisis, theysaid.

Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) said recently the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee plans to begin tackling the issue of transporting Alaska’s North Slope natural gas to the Lower 48 market when Congress reconvenes in September.

Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) said yesterday the Senate Energyand Natural Resources Committee plans to begin tackling the issueof transporting Alaska’s North Slope natural gas to the Lower 48market when Congress reconvenes in September.

With the ink barely dry on the final FERC order, state Rep.Frank LaGrotta of Pennsylvania yesterday sought review of theCommission’s decision awarding a certificate to the hotly contestedIndependence Pipeline that would run through his state. Thelawmaker said the Commission should have denied the Midwest-to-EastCoast pipeline project a certificate because the precedentagreements it filed as a show of market support contained “outclauses” for shippers.

Senate Energy Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) last weekintroduced his National Energy Security Act of 2000, S. 2557, asan amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriationmeasure now before the Senate. He did so at the urging of MajorityLeader Trent Lott (R-MS), who supports the energy measure.

Senate Energy Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) last weekintroduced his National Energy Security Act of 2000, S. 2557, asan amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriationmeasure now before the Senate. He did so at the urging of MajorityLeader Trent Lott (R-MS), who supports the energy measure.

Senate Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) saidthere will be a third mark-up session on electric competitionlegislation on June 7. About 30 amendments have been submitted formark-up so far. “We will have staff work to pare down the number ofamendments, and I will meet personally with Sen. [Jeff] Bingamanand staff to come to grips with the concerns.” Bingaman (D-NM) isranking minority member of the committee. Murkowski cited theextent of federal jurisdiction vs. state jurisdiction as the maindifference among committee members. “Secondary issues are thingslike benefit funds, renewable mandates and nucleardecommissioning…..” He urged committee members to come to termswith the idea of a comprehensive electric bill, adding “I’m notgoing to be the one who kills a comprehensive bill.”

Senate Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) saidyesterday there will be a third mark-up session on electriccompetition legislation on June 7. About 30 amendments have beensubmitted for mark-up so far. “We will have staff work to pare downthe number of amendments, and I will meet personally with Sen.[Jeff] Bingaman and staff to come to grips with the concerns.”Bingaman (D-NM) is ranking minority member of the committee.Murkowski cited the extent of federal jurisdiction vs. statejurisdiction as the main difference among committee members.”Secondary issues are things like benefit funds, renewable mandatesand nuclear decommissioning…..” He urged committee members tocome to terms with the idea of a comprehensive electric bill,adding “I’m not going to be the one who kills a comprehensivebill.”

Senate Energy Chairman Frank Murkowski last week took anothershot at what’s fast becoming his favorite target — FERC. Hechided the Commission for failing to take punitive action againstelectric utilities that “improperly” took power from the grid lastsummer, which lead to near-blackout situations in the Midwest.