Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions - S 1448

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Ms. MURKOWSKI:

    S. 1448. A bill to provide for the construction of the Yupik Alaskan/Central Kuskokwim Energy Project, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President today I introduce a very important piece of legislation, the Calista Energy and Economic Revitalization Act. This legislation will create a profound and positive effect on one of the most impoverished parts of my State, the Upper Kuskokwim region by providing major boost to the economy of this area. It will also provide affordable energy to this region, which pays some of the highest energy costs in the country.

    My legislation will authorize a grant and loan guarantee program to permit the construction of a vitally important intertie from the Upper Kuskokwim region to Bethel, Alaska. This project will provide low cost energy to revitalize this region much as the Tennessee Valley and Bonneville Power projects revitalized the South and Northwest, respectively.

    Alaska was just a territory when these visionary projects were conceived and constructed. It is now time for the State of Alaska to join in the national commitment and partnership for economic vitality.

    The Upper Kuskokwim region has been inhabited by the Yupik Eskimo for thousands of years and they have developed a unique lifestyle which allows them to thrive in a harsh and formidable climate.

    On December 18, 1971, Congress enacted the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, ANCSA, in recognition and settlement of the aboriginal claims of the Yupik Eskimo people in the Upper Kuskokwim regions. Pursuant to ANCSA the Calista Corporation was formed by the Yupik Eskimo people to represent their needs and interests in implementation of ANCSA.

    The Calista Corporation has selected as port of its land entitlement under ANCSA the Donlin Creek area of the Upper Kuskokwim region. As owner of the Donlin Creek area, Calista has made a discovery of international significance of gold and other minerals which will aid the country and the Yupik Eskimo people if that area is developed. I can assure you, that there is wide spread support among the local Yupik population that their lands be developed.

    The Donlin Creek area is currently isolated and unconnected by road or utility services to the rest of the State of Alaska and the Nation. It is fair and equitable that the Congress enacts legislation to aid and assist the Yupik Eskimo people, through the Calista Corporation, in developing this energy project referenced in my bill. The goal of this project is to provide reasonable and adequate utility service to the local people and to serve to the development of the minerals in the Donlin Creek area.

    The Upper Kuskokwim region contains numerous Yupik Eskimo villages which are also isolated from the rest of the State and the Nation. According to government reports, the unemployment rate in the region is about 25 percent but the actual joblessness rate is much higher. The government reports stop counting people as unemployed after that have not had a job after several years. There is currently little or no opportunity for year round nongovernmental employment in this region.

    For example, one of the few opportunities to participate in the cash economy available in the region comes from fishing, but fishing income has plunged by about 50 percent from nearly $12,000 to about $5,000 annually. Because of this drastic decline in fishing income and a general lack of available private sector jobs, Federal and State transfer payments make up 33 percent of income in the Bethel U.S. Census District area and nearly 45 percent of the Wade Hampton U.S. Census District in the Upper Kuskokwim region near the Donlin Creek site.

    Passage of this legislation will provide a sound economic opportunity for the Yupik Eskimo and other residents of the region and give them an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life. Calista is committed to turning this project into the private sector engine for this part of Alaska. If successful, Federal transfer payments will be reduced and local residents will have the ability to support themselves and their families with solid, well paying private sector jobs.

    Utility costs are now more than 10 times the national average. By providing a year round employment base and more equitable and affordable access to utility services, this project will improve the lives of all residents of the region.

    I am excited about this bill and will work hard to achieve its passage. It is my hope to have a hearing on this bill very soon and seek its passage in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the full Senate before the end of the year. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

    I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.