Sen. Charlie Huggins advocated for passage of HJR 29, sponsored by Rep. Charisse Millett, during the Alaska Senate floor session on Friday, March 23, 2012. HJR 29 asks the BLM and Department of the Interior to plug oil drill holes in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPRA) on Alaska’s North Slope. The 137 wells were drilled by the BLM between 1944 and 1981. Some have signifcant amounts of diesel in them, at least one is leaking natural gas, and many have some degree of abandoned junk laying around them. Sen. Huggins notes the hypocrisy of the federal government not cleaning up their environmental impacts, yet every privately drilled well must adhere to strict state and federal standards. HJR 29 passed the Senate unanimously.

Wasilla Sen. Charlie Huggins speaks on the Senate Floor regarding the recent award of the Army Commendation Medal for Valor awarded to Sgt. Austen Clair of Juneau. Sgt. Clair rescued soldiers from his unit when their Bradley fighting vehicle was blown up by an IED in Afghanistan earlier this year.

Sgt. Austen Clair was introduced in the gallery of the Alaska State Senate when he was home on leave from his tour of duty on Afghanistan in February, 2012.

Sen. Cathy Giessel discusses meetings she attended at Energy Council in Washington, DC over the past weekend, including a concern that the US is behind the curve in protecting its interests in Arctic resources.

Sen. Fred Dyson makes an opening statement at the press conference, touching on LNG export issues, China’s interest in Arctic resources, the Keystone pipeline, and the need for more icebreakers

Sen. Charlie Huggins makes a statement regarding the meetings he attended at the Energy Council in Washington, DC, including the value of being able to discuss energy issues with other state, provincial and national officials.

Sen. John Coghill comments at the Senate Republican Caucus press conference regarding Energy Council, including the offshore exploration and development, application of the Migratory Bird Act to windmills, and tax regimes.

Sen. Charlie Huggins has published his February 2012 constituent newsletter, which can be read by going here:

Sen. Huggins Newsletter FEB 2012

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus met with Congressman Don Young while he was in Juneau March 24, 2011. From left: Sen. John Coghill, Sen. Charlie Huggins, Congressman Young, Sen. Cathy Giessel, Sen. Fred Dyson.