By Sentinel Staff
Washington – Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski issued a news release today listing the millions of dollars of defense projects in Alaska that will be funded by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that the Senate passed today on an 84-13 vote.
Senate passage was the last step in legislative approval of the defense spending bill, which now goes to the president for his signature.
Murkowski hailed the inclusion of portions of a bill she and fellow Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan introduced which authorizes a new regional Department of Defense Center for Arctic Security Studies.
“The center, named after the late Ted Stevens, would be the first DoD Regional Center focused on the Arctic, its infrastructure and America’s leadership in the region,” the news release said.
In general, the defense bill “invests in all sectors of the military—technology and equipment, training, infrastructure and, most importantly, the overall well-being of our troops and their families,” Murkowski said in the news release. “We also include a pay raise for service members, provisions to help shore up some of the gaps in our military’s mental and behavioral health needs, and reforms to the Department of Defense’s 1033 program” which authorizes the federal transfer of military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Murkowski listed other Alaska highlights in the bill:
-- Polar Security Cutters: “Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of three Polar Security Cutters, previously approved in 2019, as well as three additional Polar Security Cutters.”
-- Military Construction: Authorizes $162 million for projects in Alaska, including Fort Greely Communications Center, Fort Wainwright Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing and Fort Wainwright Child Development Center.
-- Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020: “For the first time ever, the Coast Guard authorization is included in NDAA. The authorization will continue through fiscal year 2021, and enables the Coast Guard to carry out needed vessel capitalization and infrastructure development, and support its range of missions, including maritime safety, drug and illegal migrant interdiction, enforcement of U.S. laws at sea, protection of our nation’s borders, and support for DOD’s national security operations.”
-- North Warning System Modernization Report: The system is a series of long– and short–range radar stations which provide observation and surveillance capability for cruise missiles. The bill directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a report on the status of the North Warning System infrastructure and to create a plan to modernize the system.
-- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Aims at curbing use of PFAS-containing firefighting agents and notification requirements for agricultural areas exposed to Defense Department PFAS use. Additionally, an interagency body will create to research PFAS and focus on alternatives to PFAS, and methods of removal or destruction of PFAS. Murkowski also cosponsored an amendment included in the final bill to increase funding for CDC’s study of PFAS health implications.
-- Strategic and Critical Materials: Includes a provision secured by Sullivan that requires DoD to acquire strategic and critical materials from domestic sources whenever possible. “This recognizes the important role that Alaska’s world-class mineral base can play in support of our nation’s economic and national security,” the news release said.
-- Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program: Authorizes $30 million for the DoD to continue utilizing the IRT program across the country. The IRT Program, which is being used in Alaska, is a military training opportunity that increases deployment readiness by providing key services such as health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity to American communities.
-- Native American lands environmental mitigation program: “The Secretary of Defense will be able to undertake actions, including the identification, investigation, and documentation of suspected environmental effects attributable to past Department of Defense actions, develop mitigation options for such environmental effects, including development of cost-to-complete estimates and a system for prioritizing mitigation actions, and direct mitigation actions that the Secretary determines are necessary and appropriate.”
-- Micronuclear Reactor Programs and Report: “Includes a provision calling for a report assessing the costs and feasibility of deploying micronuclear reactors to provide power and heat to Department of Defense facilities. Some of the most promising sites for potential micronuclear deployment are located in Alaska. The report also authorizes $50 million for the program to develop mobile micronuclear reactors that could be deployed in Alaska after testing is completed in the lower 48.”
ARCTIC HIGHLIGHTS:
-- Assignment of Arctic Issues to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere: “Establishes Arctic focused leadership at the senior level within the DoD by requiring the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs to assign responsibility for the Arctic region to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere or another Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.”
-- Arctic Shipping Federal Advisory Committee: “This provision establishes a Federal advisory committee tasked to develop recommendations on matters related to Arctic maritime transportation... Murkowski is the author of this legislation and championed inclusion in this year’s Coast Guard Authorization.”
-- Permafrost Studies: Directs the Secretary of Defense to complete a study on the impact of permafrost from a warming climate in areas that possess critical infrastructure vital to national defense.
-- Arctic Communications: Authorizes funding “to establish more robust communications in the Arctic to support an initial satellite capability for the region.”
-- U.S. Coast Guard Unmanned Aircraft Program: “Includes a provision to require the Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration to assess the feasibility and advisability of using unmanned aircraft systems for Arctic surveillance in order to establish and maintain regular maritime domain awareness, respond to illegal activities, and collaborate with State, local, and tribal authorities, and international partners, in surveillance missions over the water.”
