Peter Granitz, NPR- Washington DC
pgranitz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 202.488.1961 | About Peter
King Cove Residents Push Salazar on Izembek Road
Residents from King Cove met with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Thursday morning in Washington, D.C. They’re cautiously optimistic the outgoing secretary will allow a land transfer to permit a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
Sequester Would Cut NPS Budget By 5 Percent
Eighty-five billion dollars in federal budget cuts are set to begin Friday. The U.S. Senate will debate competing measures to replace the cuts tomorrow, but neither will become law. The National Park Service is slated to lose 5 percent of its budget, and that would trickle down to every park in Alaska.
5,000 Alaska Department of Defense Workers Could Be Furloughed In Sequester
The numbers are dire. Five thousand civilians who work for the Department of Defense in Alaska would be furloughed once a week. Food for the elderly would be cut, because the federal government would slash more than $180,000 from programs like Meals on Wheels.
Interior Department Finalizes NPR-A Plan, Creates Pipeline Corridor
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar finalized the development plan for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Senator Mark Begich said he welcomes the decision to allow a pipeline corridor in the reserve.
Senator Murkowski Outlines Off Shore Revenue Sharing Plan
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski says she’ll soon introduce a revenue sharing bill for off-shore energy production. Speaking to the Alaska state legislature this morning, Murkowski said she’s still working out final details of the bill with Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu.
Bypass Mail Likely Target Of Postal Reform Bill
The U.S. Postal Service recently announced an end to Saturday delivery. People will stop receiving letters on Saturdays by the end of summer. A postal reform bill is expected before then, and bypass mail will likely be targeted for reforms.
Murkowski: Government Needs To Look At All Aspects Of Shell’s Arctic Drilling Operations
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski says in light of the Kulluk’s grounding, the government needs to look at all aspects of Shell’s Arctic drilling operations.
Officials Concerned About Sequester Effects On Indian Health Services
The state of Indian Country is strong, according to the president of the National Congress of American Indians. Today Jefferson Keel presented the State of Indian Nations Address in Washington D.C. Despite advancements in tribal governing, leaders are worried about the coming sequester, and what it means for Indian Health Services.
Pressure Increases On US House To Pass VAWA Reauthorization
There’s increasing pressure on the U.S. House to pass a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Congressman Don Young says it will happen, but probably not soon.
Senate Committee Taking On LNG Exporting Issue
The Senate Energy Committee held its first meeting of the new Congress. It wasted no time in discussing one of the most controversial issues the committee will tackle this session – exporting liquefied natural gas.
Senate Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act
The U.S. Senate has just passed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Its future in the House is unclear. The Senate passed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act last Congress, only to see it fester in the House.
President Obama Proposes Plan To Delay Sequester
The across the board government spending cuts go into effect three weeks from Friday. This week President Barack Obama proposed a short term mix of spending cuts and tax increases to delay the sequester, but Republicans on Capitol Hill called it dead on arrival.
Obama Nominates REI Chief Exec To Lead The Department of the Interior
President Barack Obama nominated REI chief executive Sally Jewell to lead the Department of the Interior today. It’s a Cabinet position with incredible influence over Alaska. And by virtually every account, the pick surprised everyone.
Report Predicts Windfall For Alaska If Federal Lands, Water Opened To Drilling
A new report from an oil and gas trade association is predicting a windfall for Alaska if the government opened federally owned lands and water to drilling.
Begich Introduces Bill Granting State A Share Of Offshore Drilling Revenue
Senator Mark Begich is introducing a bill that would grant the state a share of revenues from off-shore drilling. The concept is nothing new. The Alaska delegation has long sought the chance to reap royalty payments from oil producers drilling off Alaska’s shore.
Murkowski Introduces Energy Bill
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is introducing her blueprint energy bill today. Senator Murkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy Committee. She says she’s been working on a new energy bill for months. In fact, last summer she said a draft would be ready by the end of the year.
Republicans Oust Millette as Chair
The Alaska Republican Party's Executive Committee has blocked incoming party chair. Russ Millette from taking his position. In a meeting last night, the committee voted to oust Millette, who was elected to the chairman's position at the party's annual state convention in April of last year. Millette says he's weighing his options to fight the decision.
Murkowski Working On Making In-State LNG Line More Feasible
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is trying to make a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope more feasible. Environmentalists are welcoming a stretch of pipeline through Denali National Park. Senator Murkowski introduced a bill that would allow a seven-mile stretch of pipeline to run through the National Park. For that to happen, Congress needs to pass a law granting approval.
Bill Allows Tribes To Directly Apply For Federal Disaster Aid
Alaska did not receive any money in the Sandy relief bill that cleared the Senate Monday night. The bill did include a provision that will allow tribes to directly apply to the federal government for future disaster aid.
Bipartisan Group Working On Immigration Overhaul
A bipartisan group of senators is laying out the framework for an overhaul of the nation’s immigration status. Alaska’s senators are welcoming the movement.