Legislature(2013 - 2014)
2013-02-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2013-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0332 SB 59 SENATE BILL NO. 59 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to approval for oil and gas or gas only exploration and development in a geographical area; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Senate Special Committee on Trans Alaska Pipeline System Throughput, Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Natural Resources Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18: Dear President Huggins, Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to approval for oil and gas or gas only exploration and development in a geographical area. This bill will reduce the time required to get oil into production and flowing through TAPS, while protecting Alaska's environment. 2013-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0333 Under current procedures, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grants lease exploration and development approval in conjunction with individual plans of operation for a lease or project. As such, a separate public notice is required for each approval, often resulting in repetitive approvals within the same geographical area. In order to streamline the State's permitting process, this bill allows DNR to comprehensively evaluate oil and gas exploration and development in a geographical area, and define the criteria by which specific projects are evaluated and approved. Approvals made under the provisions of this bill are valid for up to ten years as specified by DNR's Director of the Division of Lands. Creating economic opportunity in Alaska requires a clear, predictable, and timely permitting process that encourages resource development while protecting the environment. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure to create a streamlined permitting process in the interests of increasing oil throughput and growing Alaska's economy. Sincerely, /s/ Sean Parnell Governor