Murkowski To Chair NGA Natural Resources Committee
Will advance Alaska issues in National Governors' Association post
Juneau, AK - Governor Frank H. Murkowski was appointed chairman of the National Governors' Association Committee on Natural Resources at the 96th NGA annual meeting in Seattle, July 16-19, by the organization's executive committee.
The Committee on Natural Resources is one of the organization's four standing committees and has jurisdiction over agriculture, energy, the environment, and natural resource issues. Governor David Freudenthal of Wyoming will serve as vice-chairman.
"I welcome this opportunity to work with NGA on issues so important to Alaska and the nation," said Governor Murkowski. "I look forward to advancing issues critical to our Alaska economy and environment and I am honored with the trust NGA has placed in me with this chairmanship."
Key issues the committee will focus on include the Clean Air Act, clean and safe drinking water, ocean policy, electric industry restructuring, energy issues, and the Endangered Species Act.
Murkowski also plans to bring national focus to Alaska's resource potential, including discussions about the national demand for natural gas and the need for an Alaska natural gas pipeline, increased domestic energy supplies, and increased mining opportunities and timber harvest.
The Governor's chairmanship will run for one year.