Murkowski leads on energy for Alaska

It’s hard to notice or hear much else beyond the changing administrations’ loud noise, divisive political speech and the global pandemic in America today. Still, when you actually pause to examine the policy moving through Congress, it’s plain to see that Alaska’s senior senator is taking the lead when it comes to energy diversification and innovation. Many might not realize that Sen. Lisa Murkowski has been working to move the first comprehensive energy package in 13 years passed by Congress. She championed the effort and was successful at the end of 2020. The Energy Act of 2020 — passed as part of the recent omnibus spending bill — is a sign of hope for bipartisan action on clean energy.

The bill — which dedicates investments to a variety of clean energy and energy innovation initiatives — would not have passed without the hard work and support of Alaska’s very own Sen. Murkowski. She worked across the aisle with Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia to develop and advance this bipartisan package alongside colleagues in the House.

The Energy Act of 2020 includes critical investments in renewable energy development, efficiency, carbon capture, grid modernization and much more. These key infrastructure investments will help the U.S. transition to cleaner energy while creating well-paying jobs, stimulating economic growth and development. Especially for a resource-rich state like Alaska, where energy research and development are already such major economic drivers, these efforts will go a long way to help strengthen our workforce while making energy more reliable, affordable, and sustainable for generations to come.

Having worked closely with Sen. Murkowski since 2008, I have personally witnessed her passion for energy, whether it be cold data storage, hydropower or responsible development on the North Slope. She knows how important clean, reliable, affordable energy is to Alaskans, the country, and the world. This is the nation’s first energy innovation legislative package to move across the finish line in more than a decade, and we have her to thank. Political stripes and infighting aside, Lisa knows how to work across the aisle to get things done for Alaska. We can all be grateful for her leadership.

Rachel Kallander is an Alaska business owner based in Anchorage with roots in Cordova. She is managing partner of Kallander & Associates LLC, a consulting firm serving political, policy and business sectors statewide. She is also founder and executive director of the Arctic Encounter, the largest annual Arctic policy conference in the U.S., with policy convenings and partnerships worldwide.

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