U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today underscored the need to update our nation’s energy policies in order for the United States to compete in the global energy marketplace. In her remarks at IHS’s CERAWeek, the world’s premier energy summit, Murkowski laid out her vision for the future of our nation’s energy landscape starting with increasing access to America’s energy resources.

“In Alaska and across the nation, our energy resources hold tremendous opportunity. Production of these energy resources means more jobs, increased revenues, lower costs, and economic prosperity,” Murkowski said. “But in order to produce more energy here at home, we need to increase access – whether it’s lifting an outdated export ban, streamlining the permitting process for LNG exports, or opening up more federal land to energy production.”

Murkowski pointed to her home state of Alaska as an unfortunate example of how federal restrictions are denying access to the development and production of vital natural resources, even though the vast majority of Alaskans strongly support such development. Murkowski called for new and revised policies that will provide greater access to oil, natural gas, coal, and mineral resources across the state.

“In Alaska, we have tremendous potential when it comes to producing energy resources, but unfortunately the federal government continues to deny us the benefits that come from increased production,” Murkowski said. “We need to increase access to Alaska’s resources both onshore and offshore to ensure the sustainability of our state’s lifeline – the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.”

Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, also pointed to her broad, bipartisan energy bill as a positive step that will increase domestic energy production and promote energy innovation. 

“Innovation is critically important for our nation. It’s one of the best ways to make fundamental, life-changing discoveries. It’s one of the best ways we can develop new technologies to expand our energy supply, and to reduce costs for communities in rural parts of Alaska,” Murkowski said. “In Alaska, increasing innovation is revolutionary for us.” 

“The broad, bipartisan energy bill will promote innovation while improving our nation’s energy supply and infrastructure. It’s a positive step toward making our energy policies adapt to our changing energy landscape,” she continued. 

Murkowski concluded her remarks by reiterating that expanding access to our nation’s energy resources not only strengthens America’s economy, but is essential to the security of America and its allies.