She wants Congress at the helm of climate change control, not a federal agency.
Murkowski says she's protecting her home state.
"If these regulations are allowed, the consequences for Alaska will be devastating," she said.
But her opponents argue the opposite
"Our concern would be in removing that, it would kind of remove the incentive to move more quickly, so, I don't know why she's making this move, frankly," said Pat Lavin with the National Wildlife Foundation.
Critics suggest Murkowski is protecting big business, and hint that it's because big business contributed big money to her campaign.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, oil and gas companies contributed over $150,000 to Murkowski's campaign.
According to a 2008 study by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, oil and gas are the biggest green house gas emitters in the state.
"It is an unprecedented move by a United States senator and her co-sponsors to overturn a health finding made by health experts, and scientific experts in order to stand with the special interests. Now that is clear to me," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
"Given what has been alleged about my intentions, I believe that this debate needs to be directed back to its substance, and away from the ad hominem attacks and red herrings that have been thrown out in the past few weeks," Murkowski said.
Local environmentalists find Murkowski's move strange and alarming.
"I think it's particularly ironic that a senator from the state that really needs the help the most is the one leading the charge and removing really the best tool we have currently available to do something about it," Lavin said.
Both sides agree the battle over climate change is heating up and Congress needs to step in.
But it could be months or years before it does.
Murkowski's disapproval resolution would first have to pass the senate, and then be signed by the president.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu told reporters that President Obama would veto the resolution.
Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas have all signed onto the resolution.
Contact Jackie Bartz at jbartz@ktuu.com
