Alaska state Sen. Cathy Giessel has been named to the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission. According to the Seward Phoenix LOG, state House Rep. Bob Herron announced Giessel's appointment during an Arctic caucus meeting in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Giessel joins two others senators who have already been appointed to serve on the commission which was created by the legislature in 2012 in order to help raise Alaska into an Arctic leadership role. The Seward Phoenix LOG explains:
The United States does not have a comprehensive policy specifically focused on economic, ecological and security issues in Alaska and the OCS. Both Arctic and non-Arctic countries are moving forward with building additional infrastructure, including ports, safe harbors, search and rescue centers, and icebreakers and other Arctic-capable vessels.
Of her appointment, Giessel said, "It is vital for this country to establish the infrastructure and clearly identify security, resource management and economic stability practices for our Arctic regions." She added, "Working with the Arctic Policy Commission will provide the opportunity for bringing Alaska's interests to the forefront in these landmark decisions."