WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement regarding the consent decree signed by Golden Valley Electric Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will allow the Healy Clean Coal Power Plant to be restarted:

“It’s good that Fairbanks is finally going to be able to see some benefit from the Healy power plant. While this will bring down electricity prices somewhat, Fairbanks still needs access to more affordable power – whether the source is a gas line, a mix of renewables, or more coal – if it’s going to continue to grow.

“I have consistently urged the EPA to be evenhanded and to resolve this matter without imposing unnecessary costs on Alaskans. I will continue to monitor this situation to ensure that the plant can begin to provide power to Fairbanks.”