2003-02-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0224
SB 74                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 74 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
                 "An Act extending the renewal period for oil                                      
               discharge prevention and contingency plans; and                                     
          providing for an effective date."                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Environmental                                               
 Conservation                                                                                       
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18:                                                    
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill extending the renewal period for oil discharge                                  
prevention and contingency plans under AS 46.04.030 and 46.04.055                                   
from three years to five years.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
AS 46.04.030 requires that all operators of oil terminals, pipelines,                               
exploration or production facilities, tank vessels, and oil barges have                             
an approved oil discharge prevention and contingency plan in order to                               
operate. AS 46.04.055 requires that operators of nontank vessels over                               
400 gross tons and railroad tank cars transporting oil also have an                                 
approved oil discharge prevention and contingency plan. Current law                                 
requires that these contingency plans be renewed every three years.                                 
                                                                                                    
In contrast, federal oil spill response plans are reviewed and renewed                              
every five years. However, there is no requirement that state                                       
contingency plans match the federal renewal cycle.                                                  
                                                                                                    
A five-year renewal period will streamline the review for both the                                  
state and industry, while maintaining Alaska's strong oil spill                                     
prevention and response standards. Focusing on the actual testing of                                
oil spill prevention and response readiness through in-the-field                                    
inspections, drills, and exercises is our most effective means of                                   
ensuring spill prevention and response readiness.                                                   

2003-02-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0225
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor