WASHINGTON -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivered the weekly Republican address Saturday, taking digs at President Barack Obama's energy policies and decrying their impact on Alaska's oil industry.
"Since taking office, the Obama administration has repeatedly denied Alaska's best opportunities to produce energy for our nation and the world," Murkowski said.
She pointed to Obama administration moves to block production in half of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and to prevent drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
And she blamed a "constantly shifting regulatory environment" for Shell's recent decision to abandon plans to drill in the Chukchi Sea.
"All of these decisions ignore the will of hardworking Alaskans, who overwhelmingly support new production. The administration is opening the door for Iranian oil production, but closing it on Alaskan oil," she said.