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Native leaders criticize Murkowski amendment

by Ashton Goodell
Tuesday, September 22, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaskans can't ignore the broad impacts of climate change. Eroding coast lines and disrupted ecosystems are bringing global warming to the doorstep of rural Alaskan communities.

Native groups concerned about climate change say they've sat in the corner too long, and now Sen. Lisa Murkowski has called for another "time out" on regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are probably going to have the first refugees of America -- climate change refugees and they are going to be Alaska Native people" said Larry Merculieff, who petitioned Murkowski to stop an amendment she has proposed that would delay regulations on greenhouse gases.

A handful of Native leaders gathered at Murkowski's Anchorage office to demand action now.

"I'm here today because I am really disappointed in the decisions that she's made to lead this effort and we have some letters to deliver to her on behalf of Alaska Native Leaders," said Andrea Sanders.

The letters criticize Murkowski's plan to delay regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.

If the Interior and Environmental Appropriations bill passes with the amendment, it would mean that the Environmental Protection Agency couldn't enforce regulation on stationary carbon dioxide sources, like coal fire plants and oil refiners, at least for the next year.

The idea is to allow more time for research so Congress can come up with a more effective plan to curb climate change.

"I think we recognize that EPA action could really poison the well for Congress to pass any type of climate bill," Murkowski said by phone.

"So what I'm proposing with this amendment simply gives Congress time to consider the issue (and) do it in a thoughtful and a thorough manner."

In an address to the United Nations, President Barack Obama told leaders that the U.S. is re-committed to taking action on global warming.

"We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act ... and we will meet our responsibility to future generations," he said.

Murkowski agrees, but worries that rash action on emission reductions will come at a cost to the economy.

"I am glad that the president did not threaten the economy by imposing EPA regulations of stationary sources of carbon dioxide. He did speak to the recent reduction of emissions that we've seen in this country. But I think we've got to be honest on that one. One of the major causes of those reductions has been the recession. Reducing overall economic activity is not the way that we want to address climate change," she said.

Critics claim Murkowski's amendment is a stall tactic, and that lawmakers are wasting time on delaying the action rather than focusing on the real problem -- climate change.

"It binds the hands of the EPA. And now they are going to have to spend time working on this issue when this bill comes up during the appropriations process instead of real work that can be done writing a good bill that will have positive affects for Alaska and the United States," said Michael Points, another who petitioned to stop the amendment.

Environmentalists claim lawmakers should have started yesterday.

"I don't think any Alaskan Native person believes we have time to wait," said one protester.

Repower America is one of several environmental groups that wrote Murkowski urging her not to move forward with the amendment.

Murkowski says there is still a lot to discuss before presenting the amendment.

If the amendment passes, the EPA could regulate emissions on cars, trucks, and ships -- anything moving. But industrial plants and refineries would be off limits.

At some point federal law would regulate stationary sources too, but not until the economy has some time to turn around.

Contact Ashton Goodell at agoodell@ktuu.com