FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: ROBERT DILLON (202) 224-6977
APRIL 1, 2009 or ANNE JOHNSON (202) 224-7875
MURKOWSKI: COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL WILL TAKE TIME
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to comments by the Democratic Majority Leader that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was “taking too long" to produce an energy bill.
“I’m committed to working on a comprehensive and bipartisan energy bill, but it takes time to negotiate controversial issues such as federal transmission siting authority and a renewable electricity mandate," Murkowski said. “These are substantive issues that will have major impacts on American families. We owe it to them to get it right the first time."
The Energy Committee on Tuesday marked up the first part of an energy bill, including titles covering increased energy efficiency and workforce development. Several more markups are planned following the spring recess. Murkowski believes a comprehensive energy bill could be completed before the August recess.
“The Energy Committee deserves some credit," Murkowski said. “We’ve held more than a dozen hearings on some very meaty issues in our pursuit of a comprehensive energy bill."
“If a bipartisan energy bill is truly a priority for Democrats then they should allow us the time to do it right," Murkowski said. #
For further information, please contact Robert Dillon at 202.224.6977 orRobert_dillon@energy.senate.gov or Anne Johnson at 202.224.7875 or anne_johnson@energy.senate.gov.
Visit our website at http://energy.senate.gov/public/
