Murkowski announces agenda for Salazar, Reed trip

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Lisa Murkowsk, R-Alaska,has announced the itinerary of her August travels across Alaska with Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

“Sometimes when Alaskan issues are discussed in Washington, things get lost in translation because policymakers simply don’t know enough about our state,” Murkowski said. “I look forward to showing Secretary Salazar and Senator Reed the promise Alaska has to offer and our long history of developing our resources responsibly.”

Murkowski invited Reed and Salazar to the state to give them a firsthand look at the energy potential offered by Alaska’s abundant natural resources, and the efforts Alaskans are making to increase the nation’s energy security. To that end, the group will tour a North Slope drilling facility and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

They will also spend time meeting with local community leaders on the North Slope, and tour Barrow’s new Indian Health Service hospital, which is currently under construction. The trip also features a visit to the BLM firefighting facilities in Fairbanks, and a stop in Denali National Park, to tour the park and meet with student conservation association officials to discuss youth employment opportunities as well as local lodge operators.