WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, released the August edition of Senator King’s Inside Maine podcast. This month’s podcast features U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), who serves with Senator King on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Dana Eidsness, Director of the Maine North Atlantic Development Office (MENADO). Senator Sullivan joined Senator King in the first segment to discuss U.S. military challenges and opportunities in the Arctic. After his conversation with Senator Sullivan, Senator King spoke with Dana Eidsness to discuss climate change and economic opportunities for Maine businesses in North Atlantic markets.

“The Arctic is a new frontier for international commerce, which creates new opportunities for the United States – and for our adversaries,” said Senator King. “As the impacts of climate change continue to affect this vital region, the U.S. must be forward-thinking to establish and protect our leadership role in the Arctic, and Maine’s people and resources are a key component of this effort. This conversation was an important one, touching on the work that can be done at the federal and state levels to improve our national security and create new economic opportunities for Maine people.”

Senator King is an advocate for Maine’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region, and has worked in Washington to advance Maine’s leadership in the High North. In July, he spoke at the Woodrow Wilson International Center on the economic implications of increased activity in the Arctic. In May 2018, he joined University of New England students, faculty, researchers, and staff as well as leaders on North Atlantic and Arctic policy at the launch of the Institute for North Atlantic Studies of the University of New England (UNE NORTH). UNE NORTH is an initiative of the University of New England that aims to help the next generation of leaders further responsible stewardship and sustainable economic growth in the region.

In 2015, Senator King traveled to Iceland, where he participated in the Arctic Circle Assembly Plenary Session, speaking to the national security, climate change, economic issues that make the region a significant policy priority for the U.S. In October 2016, Senator King joined Maine people and leaders from around the globe to attend the Arctic Council conference at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Campus. He also visited Greenland on a fact-finding mission that focused on examining the environmental and security implications of the warming Artic climate and traveled to Iqaluit, Canada to help usher in the United States’ chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2015.

Senator Sullivan was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, and currently serves as Alaska’s junior Senator. In addition to serving alongside Senator King on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Sullivan serves on the following committees: Commerce, Science and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Veterans' Affairs. Prior to Senator Sullivan’s election, he served as Alaska’s Attorney General and Commissioner of the Alaskan Department of Natural Resources. As commissioner, Sullivan managed one of the largest portfolios of oil, gas, minerals, renewable energy, timber, land, and water in the world.

In her role as director of the Maine North Atlantic Development Office, Dana Eidsness works to develop trade, investment, and collaboration opportunities for Maine businesses and academic partners in North Atlantic markets, including Northern Europe, Atlantic Canada, and the Nordics. MENADO represents Maine’s interests and ensures that the state is included in important discussions regarding North Atlantic resources and sustainable development.

The “Inside Maine Podcast with Senator Angus King” is a 30-minute program that aims to help keep Maine people informed about issues of the day, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work as one of two independents in the U.S. Senate. Senator King’s podcast builds on his existing radio show that airs on Newsradio WGAN in Portland, Maine between 10 and 11 a.m. on almost every last Saturday of the month. The link to the August podcast can be found HERE.