BETHEL, Alaska – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, traveled to Alaska this week to participate in a field hearing focused on opportunities for energy innovation and technology deployment in remote and high-cost areas of the country.
Capito joined ENR Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on the trip to learn about advancements being made in Alaska.
“West Virginia’s energy rates are among the lowest in the country thanks to our abundant coal and natural gas resources, but in many areas of the country this is not the case. This week’s trip provided an up-close look at how rural communities in Alaska are addressing this challenge, and how innovation and new technology can improve access to affordable, reliable energy,” said Senator Capito. “I thank Chairman Murkowski for initiating this important discussion and hosting us in Alaska.”
The field hearing on Monday featured a total of nine witnesses: Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz; Alaska Gov. Bill Walker; Alaska State Rep. Bob Herron; Michael Black from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Ralph Andersen from the Bristol Bay Native Association; Jack Hebert from the Cold Climate Research Center; Steve Gilbert from the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative; Michael Hoffman from the Association of Village Council Presidents; and Gwen Holdmann from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Archived audio and witness testimony from the hearing is available here.
The delegation also traveled to Oscarville, Alaska before Monday’s hearing to meet with community leaders. Photos from the trip are included below.
Senator Capito, her Senate colleagues and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz gather on the tarmac before taking off for Bethel, Alaska.
View of the drive across the frozen Kuskokwim River to Oscarville, Alaska.
Oscarville students performed for the delegation during their visit to the village.
Senators Capito (R-W.Va.), Daines (R-Mont.) and King (I-Maine) tour the village of Oscarville.
Senators Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Murkowski (R-Alaska), Capito (R-W.Va.), Daines (R-Mont.), Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Secretary Moniz met with servicemen in Bethel, Alaska.
Senators Capito (R-W.Va.) and King (I-Maine) during the Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Field Hearing in Bethel, Alaska.
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