Murkowski Advances Three Alaska Energy and Resource Bills Through Committee

Murkowski Advances Three Alaska Energy and Resource Bills Through Committee

Washington, DC-The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) during a business meeting today reported three bills championed by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The measures would strengthen Alaska's energy security by investing in next-generation geothermal technologies; improving electric grid resilience; and expanding efforts to map critical mineral and other resources. The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI): S. 4870 would reauthorize Earth MRI, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program that improves understanding of geologic hazards, critical minerals, geothermal resources, and other subsurface resources across the country. Since its launch in 2019, Earth MRI has accelerated project timelines, reduced exploration risk, and lowered costs by making foundational geologic information publicly available. Current funding for Earth MRI is set to expire at the end of FY26.

The legislation would reauthorize Earth MRI for an additional five years at funding levels similar to those provided under IIJA. The bill would also expand the program to include geologic hydrogen, an emerging domestic energy resource that is attracting growing scientific and commercial interest.

Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act (H.R.8790): S.4406 would establish Research and Development (R&D) Programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). These programs would ensure that existing programs are also available for the testing of these next-generation technologies, enhance the collaboration between DOE and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to locate ideal conditions for next-general geothermal energy production, and expand public-private partnerships by establishing a Next-Generation Geothermal Center of Excellence to advance enhanced geothermal energy technologies, including supercritical geothermal energy production.

Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act (SECURE Grid Act): S. 4166 would empower states to more fully assess risks to their electric grids, from extreme weather to cyber threats and other vulnerabilities.

Each year, states must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) to receive funds from the State Energy Program, which are used to design, develop, and implement renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The SECURE Grid Act would require future SESPs to account for additional threats and vulnerabilities, including supply chain dynamics, extreme weather, potential physical attacks on the grid, and the impact of growing energy demand.

By assessing these additional factors, states would be better able to recognize and respond to weaknesses in their energy infrastructure. The legislation would also require states to coordinate with suppliers of manufactured components and infrastructure to better understand and prepare for potential disruptions.

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