Energy in America: A Conversation with Lisa Murkowski and Maria Cantwell

Opening the new forum series “Energy in America,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, comprised a high-level panel that examined national energy issues at CSIS on May 3.

Moderator Sarah Ladislaw said she wanted to use the forum to present energy issues to the public.

Murkowski described Alaska as an “all of the above” energy state with extensive oil and gas, mineral, biomass, renewable, hydropower, and wind options.

Alaska’s problem, however, is access. Many of Alaska’s residents live in remote rural regions, unconnected by roads. Additionally, the state’s budget relies on oil revenues and current low world oil prices have sent the state’s economy into a recession.

Murkowski said oil resources, ideally, can be used to fund future transitions to new power sources.

Ladislaw said Alaska offers the lesson that having energy resources isn’t the whole issue. They also need to be delivered, efficiently and economically, to the people who need them.

Murkowski added that oil and gas energy investments can’t be made based on today’s prices. That’s especially true in Alaska’s physical environment, where development takes longer and costs more.

Cantwell said cheap hydro power in Washington’s state has boosted the economy many times over. She added that the integration of software and energy has greatly increased efficiency and effectiveness. Cheap hydro power on top of technology integration and innovation has made Washington economically competitive.
Cantwell said that the key is to find ways to keep energy costs low in order to keep the U.S. economy globally competitive.

The cost issue is preeminent for Alaska, according to Murkowski. Other concerns are access, cleanliness, security, and diversity. But cost is what has forced Alaskans to be creative in keeping their homes warm and lights on. One example is a move to microgrids in rural communities. If costs stay too high, the state’s economy will stagnate.

Murkowski said her priority is to do whatever she can to lower energy costs while still protecting the environment. A key part of this is finding out what works in unique local situations to make energy use more effective and affordable.

Cantwell said innovation is a major driver in the Pacific Northwest, which is very focused on efficiency and technology.

Ladislaw asked the senators what they looked forward to working on in their committee in the next year.

Murkowski said she wants to revive their joint energy bill from last year. She would like to change the current trend of dismantling infrastructure instead of building new infrastructure.

Cantwell said President Trump should hire a futurist who understands the future of energy and work toward goal instead of trying to hold onto the past.