August 3, 2022 - Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced a "comprehensive Arctic bill [focused] on national security, research, shipping, and trade... It requires reports on eliminating Russia’s monopoly on Arctic shipping and establishing a permanent U.S. maritime presence in the Arctic. It calls for investments in deepwater Arctic ports and improves coordination among federal agencies on Arctic matters."
Cosponsored by Maine Independent Sen. Angus King, the bill details include:
- Eliminating a Russian monopoly on Arctic shipping;
- Establishing a permanent maritime presence in the U.S. Arctic at multiple Alaska ports;
- Amending the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 to allow the export of liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, and ammonia;
- Amending the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 to reflect the importance of research pertaining to climate change and the critical role of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission;
- Permanently establishing the Arctic Executive Steering Committee to provide necessary coordination across federal agencies to advance an integrated plan for the Arctic;
- Requiring the Office of Management and Budget to provide a crosscut report on Arctic research programs;
- Expanding investment by the United States International Development Finance Corporation in Arctic countries, and;
- Strengthening our relationship with Arctic Nations.
Sens. Murkowski and King formed the Arctic Caucus in 2015 to "bring attention to the laws and policies at stake in the Far North."