Listen to the November edition of Senator King’s podcast here or on Apple Podcasts.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the November episode of the Senator’s “Inside Maine” podcast, in which he and his guests discuss the opportunities and challenges of a warming Arctic. King, Co-Chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, was joined by President of the Maine International Trade Center, Wade Merritt, and former Alaska Lieutenant Governor and US Arctic Research Commission Chair, Fran Ulmer. Together, the Senator and his guests lay out the local and global implications of the shifting region; including the changing environment, better shipping routes and trade opportunities, and expanded competition with Russia and China.

“It’s an unfortunate reality that the Arctic is warming, but it’s critical we realize that the region’s rapid changes are creating historic opportunities and challenges,” said Senator King. “From new trade routes to military instillations, the United States, Maine, and our global partners must be ready for this growing area of competition and collaboration – countries like China and India are already making major moves to gain leverage in the High North. It was great to be joined by Wade Merritt and Fran Ulmer to discuss the implications of the newly accessible region. I’m grateful for the work they are doing to study and seize Arctic opportunities and look forward to our continued efforts together to ensure Maine is well positioned in our Arctic future.”           

The Arctic is one of the world’s most rapidly changing bodies of water – warming 5° Fahrenheit since the mid-1960s, three times faster than the global average. The melting sea ice opens northern shipping lanes for northern ports in Alaska and Maine, while also increasing the potential for territorial disputes and greater militarization in the region. Currently, Russia is far outpacing the U.S. in the region, having already invested billions of dollars in military infrastructure along its northern Arctic coast. Without proper investment, the U.S. risks falling further behind in the critical, shifting region.

Former Alaska Lieutenant Governor and Mayor of Juneau, Fran Ulmer served as chair of the US Arctic Research Commission (USARC) from March 2011 to July 2020 where she led a biennial report to the President and Congress outlining recommended scientific research goals and objectives for the Arctic. Ms. Ulmer also served as chancellor of Alaska’s largest public university, the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and is now a Senior Fellow in the Arctic Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Since 2017, Wade Merritt has served as the President of Maine International Trade Center (MITC) and State Director of International Trade within the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development. In this role, he is responsible for the directing the trade and investment policy for the state, including the delivery of international trade services to Maine’s business and academic community. His appointment is the culmination of 22 years at MITC, progressing up the organization from frontline staff to regional office director, followed by 11 years as Vice President. During his time, Wade has served Maine’s business community through the creation and development of several major subprograms including the Canada Desk and Invest in Maine, MITC’s investment attraction initiative.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Armed Services Committee, and Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine and America’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Along with Caucus co-chair Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), King introduced the Arctic Commitment Act earlier this year to improve America’s posture and opportunities in the Arctic. He’s been calling for the appointment of an Arctic Ambassador since 2015, and has continued to press the Administration on the effort this year. King also recently laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North.

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. typically on the last Saturday of the month.

To listen to the November edition of Senator King’s podcast, click here, or find it on Apple Podcasts.