U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired an oversight hearing to examine the U.S. Department of Energy’s $31.7 billion budget request for Fiscal Year 2020. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry testified in support of the proposal, which includes significant funding increases for the National Nuclear Security Administration but significant cuts for many energy-related programs.  

In her opening remarks, Murkowski expressed appreciation for the president’s inclusion of increased funding to address vulnerabilities in electric infrastructure.

“Ensuring the cybersecurity and resiliency of our nation’s grid is a top priority for many of us on this committee,” Murkowski said. “We’ve devoted significant time to these challenges, including in the area of electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbances, and it is good to see the Department focused so keenly on them.”

Murkowski went on to say that while she appreciates parts of the president’s request, she disagrees with cuts to programs that promote energy innovation and cutting-edge science.

“I know many of my colleagues share my disappointment in the request to eliminate ARPA-E, a program that brings the private sector together with our National Laboratories and universities to bridge the valley of death for emerging energy technologies,” Murkowski said. “The budget also proposes to eliminate the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program, which help Alaskans address high energy prices – the highest in the nation.”

Murkowski asked what the administration’s budget does to focus on Alaska and the Arctic.

“[It’s] very important for us to recognize that the United States is an Arctic nation,” Perry said. “I want to make sure that the people of Alaska know that, number one, we understand the challenges and the uniqueness of it, but there are a lot of pieces of this puzzle, if you will. The architecture of [the] Arctic is part of the DOE’s mission…An all of the above strategy of which the Arctic is going to play an important role is not lost on us.”

Murkowski also referenced Secretary Perry’s visit to Alaska last May, where he had a firsthand look at the electric grid powered by nearly 100 percent renewable energy in Kodiak, as well as the first stages of a hydroelectric project underway in Old Harbor.

“It’s communities like these, spread all over our country that stand ready to innovate and transition to a cleaner energy future – but they need our help, and the help of the Department of Energy,” Murkowski said. “We all know that we need to make responsible cuts to the budget, but we don’t want to forget the critical role that innovation plays for us – helping to create jobs, boost economic growth, increase competitiveness, and strengthen our long-term security.”

Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and witness testimony from today’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here and here to view Murkowski’s questions for Secretary Perry.