Coast Guard gets closer to icebreaker funding

With help from Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the U.S. Coast Guard is one step closer to a much-desired Arctic icebreaker. On Tuesday, the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee submitted its 2012 appropriations bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Included in the proposed bill are two $18.3 million appropriations for new aircraft for the Alaska Coast Guard detachment, as well as a proposed $39 million for the Coast Guard's ice breaker program. According to a press release from her office, Sen. Murkowski -- who sits on the subcommittee -- specifically requested the aircraft funds, including one to replace an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that crashed last year and killed four. Murkowski has also repeatedly cited the need for a U.S. icebreaker, something that the Coast Guard has lobbied hard for, citing its inability to effectively navigate Arctic waters in winter and the prevalence of icebreakers in other Arctic nations. The Coast Guard's presence is limited to one medium icebreaker, with two heavier icebreaking ships out of commission. The $39 million wouldn't be enought fund a new icebreaker, which could cost $1 billion or more.