Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
01/24/2020 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska's Changing Climate | |
| HR12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
January 24, 2020
2:20 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative John Lincoln, Co-Chair
Representative Geran Tarr, Co-Chair
Representative Grier Hopkins, Vice Chair
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative Chris Tuck
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Dave Talerico
Representative George Rauscher
Representative Sara Rasmussen
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Zack Fields
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA'S CHANGING CLIMATE
- HEARD
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 12
Establishing a House Special Committee on Climate Change.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 27
"An Act relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution, and
labeling of child-related products containing certain flame
retardant chemicals; relating to an interstate chemicals
clearinghouse; adding unlawful acts to the Alaska Unfair Trade
Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an
effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HR 12
SHORT TITLE: HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOSEPHSON
05/14/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/14/19 (H) RES
01/24/20 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
BRIAN BRETTSCHNEIDER, PhD, Research Associate Academic
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "Alaska House Resources Committee Presentation on
Climate Change in Alaska," dated 1/24/20, and did not express
support of or opposition to proposed legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, introduced HR 12.
NATHANIEL GRABMAN, Staff
Representative Andy Josephson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Josephson,
prime sponsor, provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "HR
12, Establishing a House Special Committee on Climate Change."
ACTION NARRATIVE
2:20:07 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHN LINCOLN called the House Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 2:20 p.m. Representatives Hannan,
Talerico, Tarr, Hopkins, and Lincoln were present at the call to
order. Representatives Spohnholz, Rasmussen, Rauscher, and Tuck
arrived as the meeting was in progress. Representative Fields
also was present.
^PRESENTATION(S): Alaska's Changing Climate
PRESENTATION(S): Alaska's Changing Climate
2:20:52 PM
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN announced the first order of business would be
a presentation on Climate Change in Alaska.
2:21:21 PM
BRIAN BRETTSCHNEIDER, PhD, Research Associate Academic,
University of Alaska Fairbanks, provided a PowerPoint
presentation entitled, "Alaska House Resources Committee
Presentation on Climate Change in Alaska." Dr. Brettschneider
said his climate research on behalf of the University of Alaska
- Fairbanks (UAF) is funded primarily by federal taxes and he is
a representative of UAF, but he is not speaking for UAF. He
said the presentation will provide a factual record of climate
in Alaska.
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN noted the aforementioned presentation and
proposed legislation are not related; UAF does not advocate for
or against specific legislation.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER restated he seeks only to provide background
information and current status on climate in order to inform
future legislative discussion. He directed attention to slide
2, which was a map with Alaska climate divisions superimposed
over Lower 48 climate divisions, and pointed out the various
climate divisions in Alaska vary greatly, but are still more
closely related than to climate divisions in the Lower 48. Dr.
Brettschneider explained climate is the slowly varying aspects
of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land surface systems [slide
3]. For example, thousand-year-old ice in a glacier represents
climate and seven-day-old ice on a lake represents weather
[slide 4]. Slide 5 showed two maps representing annual
temperature and annual precipitation in Alaska from 1981-2010.
Permafrost is permanently frozen ground that can be continuous
and discontinuous and varies in depth; he related in the last 50
years more mass was lost from Alaska glaciers than other regions
[slide 6]. Slide 7 illustrated boreal forest, mixed forest, and
temperate rainforest of Alaska. Slide 8 illustrated climate
classifications for Alaska. Dr. Brettschneider said landscape
begins with the geology of an area, but subsequently develops
from its climate; for example, forests, wetlands, permafrost,
tundra, and wildlife result from climate [slide 9]. Further,
moose and caribou depend upon climate and their movement to new
habitat affects all Alaskans [slide 10].
2:29:52 PM
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER continued to slide 11, noting salmon may not
adapt to warmer water and ocean acidification, thus may not be
able to support subsistence fishing or a commercial fishery.
All aspects of Alaska, such as its economy, way of life, and
cultural heritage, are related to its climate. Slide 13
illustrated mean temperature percentiles for 2019; 2019 was the
warmest year for Alaska since 1925 and the first year above
freezing, and he described the effects of above freezing average
temperatures [slides 13-14].
2:33:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether the source of the
aforementioned data is the [USArray Transportable Array] system.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER said no. The USArray system is a resource
that will provide data for short-term gaps where Alaska does not
have weather stations, but its data is not included in climate
analysis. Slide 15 illustrated Alaska's statewide temperature
was above normal 1/1/19-12/31/19. Slide 16 reflected Alaska
statewide temperature data from 1850-2019. Dr. Brettschneider
observed cold spells in Alaska historically occurred every two
to three years and recently occur every seven to eight years.
Globally, temperatures are higher from Portugal to Siberia and
elsewhere [slide 17].
2:38:25 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR asked for clarification on the key to the map on
slide 17.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER explained the increase reported in Celsius is
1.5 degrees Fahrenheit globally, and approximately 2.0 degrees
Fahrenheit for the Arctic and Antarctica; Earth's atmosphere
provides six degrees of warmth and an increase of two degrees is
significant. Slide 18 illustrated the 100 warmest and coldest
days in Alaska between 1953 and 2020. He acknowledged record
cold can occur in a warming world.
2:40:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked about a gap in data on slide 18
between 1977 and 1988.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER returned attention to slide 16 and explained
a cooling trend from 1950 through 1970 and occurred when air
pollution from coal power plants and soot blocked sunlight,
resulting in lower temperatures worldwide; after efforts cleaned
the air of pollution, the Earth resumed heating. Slides 19 and
20 depicted recent trends in Alaska during the four seasons;
slides 21 and 22 illustrated the warmest and coldest decades
since 1900 worldwide.
2:44:36 PM
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER turned attention to the history of global
warming science: in 1856, a scientist discovered CO2 is a
greenhouse gas that warms the Earth; greenhouse effect
recognized in 1859; amount of warming predicted in 1896 [slide
24]. Slide 25 demonstrated the greenhouse effect; slide 26
acknowledged there are myths about the causes of climate change
such as volcanos, sunspots, and natural cycles, that have been
contradicted when compared to industrial activities.
2:47:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK surmised [emissions from] volcanos would not
measure on the slide 26 graph.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER said a volcano would register as a specific
event but would not [affect] an average year. In further
response to Representative Tuck, he explained the slide 26 graph
represents approximately 100 years in time.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK questioned the effect of cycles of the sun
[on climate change].
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER said the effect of solar changes may be 2
percent.
2:49:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSEN asked for information related to the
amount of Alaska's contribution to emissions [of greenhouse
gases], separate from the amount of global emissions.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER offered to provide an accounting of Alaska's
emissions. He directed attention to slide 27 which illustrated
the amount of warming due to changing energy from the sun; the
main solar cycle follows an 11-year cycle and is a minor
component compared to other factors. Also shown on slide 27 was
the impact of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and changes in land
use; for example, clearing of land has a short-term cooling
effect. In 1982, Exxon released a climate study on the effect
of CO2 emissions that accurately projected current temperatures;
in fact, the science is a straight-forward chemical equation
[slides 28 and 29].
2:52:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK returned attention to slide 27 and surmised
the red bars represent warmer temperatures. He asked what the
brackets represent.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER said the brackets are error bars and/or year-
to-year variability. In further response to Representative
Tuck, he said Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon; chlorofluorocarbons
are potent greenhouse gases that trap heat and destroy the ozone
and would be included in "short-lived gases that create ozone or
destroy other greenhouse gases." Further, Freon would not be in
the atmosphere in sufficient volume to be a major contributor to
greenhouse warming.
2:55:42 PM
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER pointed out data shown on slide 30 are
Keeling Curves which indicate over the last 300 years there was
a minor rise until the mid-Twentieth Century. Slide 31
illustrated warmer and colder periods of time over 500 million
years; however, during human civilization, there has been a
stable climate. Also shown was a prediction of temperatures by
2050 and 2100 that would be the warmest temperatures in perhaps
several million years. Dr. Brettschneider acknowledged the
Earth has been warmer during pre-human times.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER, in response to Representative Tuck, said to
disregard the bottom line on each graph shown on slide 30.
Slide 32 was a list of major scientific organizations that
believe global warming is primarily caused by greenhouse gas
emissions, with the exception of the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists. Slide 33 illustrated sea ice and sea ice
concentration; Arctic areas and Alaska are warming faster than
the rest of the world because ice and snow act like a mirror.
He remarked:
When you remove the snow and ice, instead of that
solar energy hitting it and going back out into space
- which means it's like it never was there in the
first place - now it's like a potato in the microwave
... that's getting that energy from the sun and it's
heating it up, which then melts more snow and ice. We
call that a positive feedback cycle. At lower
latitudes, they don't have a lot of snow and ice, they
feel the global effects, but not the regional effects
like we do.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER continued to slide 34 which illustrated over
the last ten years temperatures from the Arctic Circle north
have increased five to six degrees Fahrenheit over temperatures
prior to 1950, due to the ice and snow feedback cycle; slide 35
listed tangible effects of changing climate in Alaska. He
stressed [negative] effects affect cultural identity.
3:01:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked when climate scientists and ocean
scientists share data on issues such as ocean acidification.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER acknowledged his focus is on sea ice and he
is in contact with marine biologists; climate scientists model
how the ocean absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and provide data
to marine scientists.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether there is research specific
to ocean acidification.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER said yes; marine biologists, coastal
ecologists, and oceanographers use [climate] data differently
for research in Alaska and elsewhere. Slides 36 and 37 listed
media reports of climate impacts in Alaska such as a seabird
die-off, fish dying in Bristol Bay, the cost of fighting fires,
the loss of tourism, and the loss of life.
Slides 40 and 41 were projections of future below freezing
temperatures in Alaska over the next 80 years.
3:05:20 PM
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN related that very experienced Alaskans can fail
to realize how rapidly winter conditions are changing in Alaska.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER continued: slides 40 and 41 were projections
of below freezing temperatures and temperatures above 77 degrees
Fahrenheit in Alaska over the next 80 years. Slide 42 listed
Alaska entities that are addressing climate change; he advised
it is the job of scientists to gain an understanding of changing
climate and inform policymakers. Slide 43 reported on smoky
days, warming rates across Alaska, and spruce bark beetle
damage. Dr. Brettschneider related Alaskans are acting at local
levels to adapt to, and mitigate for a changing climate, by
creating climate action plans [slide 44].
3:09:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated Moody's Investors Service has
downgraded municipalities and governments without climate impact
and/or climate action plans that outline how communities will
respond to impacts; he urged the state to complete its plan
because economic and financial impacts may be unexpected.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER said Alaskans understand Alaska's climate is
changing; slide 45 reported statewide responses to a public
opinion study. He restated he is not advocating for a certain
policy; as a climate scientist he has been told Alaskans have to
make a choice between "pro production or pro climate." However,
he advised Alaskans can advocate for production and work to
minimize the impacts or to slow changes to climate [slide 46].
Without endorsement, he said Norway is an Arctic country, a
production country, and a leader in climate policy [slide 47].
CO-CHAIR TARR surmised as resident of a production state,
Alaskans [may question the need for climate policy] because
Alaska does not have heavy industry and, therefore, produces low
levels of greenhouse gases, which may be similar to Norway's
situation.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER estimated Norway - when compared to most
other countries - with a small population and a very small
carbon footprint has a policy in order to set an example.
3:14:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked for the meaning of climate neutral.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER expressed his understanding climate neutral
is the same as carbon neutral, which means an even balance
between emissions and reductions or savings [in emissions].
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN stated that Norway exports most of the
production of its fossil fuels and asked whether it offsets the
production of its fossil fuels by the end user.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER answered he was unsure. He said he assumed
climate neutral is the offset of Norway's local consumption by
local offset, and not of [the production of exported fossil
fuels by other countries].
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS related [climate neutral] is based on
where the greenhouse gases are created; therefore, [greenhouse
gases produced from] fuels shipped out of Norway do not count
against its climate neutral calculation.
DR. BRETTSCHNEIDER continued: slide 49 illustrated U.S. total
greenhouse gas emissions by sector; slide 50 listed media
reports from businesses and investors related to climate and he
elaborated; slide 51 listed final thoughts including climate
change is here, greenhouse gases are largely responsible, Alaska
is affected, [climate change is] bad for business, Alaska can be
a producer state and a leader on climate policy, Alaskans are
resilient and adaptive, activist shareholders exist, and the
acknowledgement of the issue is good for business.
3:19:28 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:19 p.m. to 3:21 p.m.
HR 12-HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
3:21:00 PM
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN announced the final order of business would be
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 12, Establishing a House Special Committee
on Climate Change.
3:21:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor of HR 12, informed the committee many Alaskans
have spoken out on the importance of addressing climate change;
he recalled an event in Anchorage where two hundred people urged
members of the legislature to advance HR 12. Representative
Josephson said the effects of climate change on Alaska are
widespread, although the state population is very small and
Alaska's carbon emissions are low; however, due to Arctic
amplification, northern latitudes are affected more severely
than elsewhere. He referred to extreme weather events and other
challenges in Alaska such as coastal erosion, drought, and fire.
Conversely, there are opportunities created by change, such as
new shipping corridors through the Arctic Ocean for cargo and
tourism that will result in increased shipping traffic along
Alaska's coastline, and additional revenue from Alaska's crude
oil. The proposed resolution would create a special committee
on climate change and policy which would hold hearings on
referred legislation, engage with subject matter experts,
provide a forum for education and action, and propose
legislation. Further, the committee would be directed by public
interest.
3:26:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON advised climate change and policy are
topics that generate a lot of research materials for review, and
numerous media reports of climate-related events, and he said
the special committee could make reports and review research,
but maintain a focus on recommending constructive legislative
action. Also, he noted entities of the federal government are
currently "non-participatory," and the state government has
disbanded its Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team; even
though there is a long history of interest in this issue, the
legislature's current efforts in this regard are incomplete,
which could be corrected by a special committee.
3:28:49 PM
NATHANIEL GRABMAN, Staff, Representative Andy Josephson, Alaska
State Legislature, provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled,
"HR 12, Establishing a House Special Committee on Climate
Change." Mr. Grabman paraphrased from slide 2, which read
[original punctuation provided, with some formatting changed]:
Climate change and Alaska
• Temperatures in Alaska have trended upward for
decades, and 2019 was the hottest year in state
history
• Drought conditions have become more common and
more severe
• Higher temperatures with less precipitation lead
to greater fire danger
• When possible, the natural ranges for plants and
animals change as flora and fauna attempt to
adapt to changing conditions. When this is not
possible, massive die offs may occur
• Sea ice naturally acts as a buffer for high seas
and storms; reduced sea ice accelerates coastal
erosion
• Much of northern Alaska is underlain by
permafrost; as temperatures rise, permafrost
thaws, causing structural foundations to weaken
• Reduced sea ice opens new pathways for ships
• Alaskans are world leaders in Arctic research and
innovation
MR. GRABMAN referenced a 2007 report published by the Institute
of Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Alaska
Anchorage, which predicted billions of dollars in future costs
related to the effect of climate change on Alaska's public
infrastructure [slide 3]. Slide 4 illustrated Arctic shipping
routes in 2018; slide 5 listed reports of fires in Alaska. He
noted acreage burned during the 2019 fire season was not the
greatest, but smoke and fires affected many Alaskans due to the
location of fires; the cost of firefighting was over $300
million [shared between the state and FEMA]. Mr. Grabman said
erosion, permafrost thaw, and relocation are interconnected, and
recalled the climate change [subcabinet] formed by former
governor Sarah Palin identified six communities in need of
immediate action, as depicted on slide 6. Also shown on slide 6
was a map of near-surface permafrost sited along the Trans-
Alaska Pipeline System. He pointed out many communities in
Alaska are not located near large-scale power grids and thus
utilize microgrids to provide power and integrate renewable
energy sources into remote diesel grids; in fact, Kodiak is
almost 100 percent renewable, powered by wind, and Igiugig has
installed a river turbine which will provide approximately 50
percent of its energy [slide 7].
3:33:27 PM
MR. GRABMAN continued to slide 8 which described the Renewable
Energy Grant Fund program that has developed many different
renewable energy sources while utilizing leveraged funds; he
estimated the program has saved approximately $50 million in
fuel costs annually. He then paraphrased from slides 9 and 10
which read as follows [original punctuation provided, with some
formatting changes]:
Previous Legislative Efforts
1990 HCR 56: Relating to climate change.
• Resolved to ask the governor to investigate state
policies and procedures to determine best
practices to combat climate change. Failed on
House floor 17-10
• 1995 HJR 39: Relating to the Northern Sea
Route. Resolved to push for research and planning
to examine shipping routes in the Arctic. Passed
House 35-0, Passed Senate 19-0
• 1999 HJR 33: Urging the US Senate to decline to
ratify the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change adopted in December 1997 at Kyoto, Japan.
Passed House 29-7, died in Senate committee
• 2006 HCR 30: Creating an Alaska Climate Impact
Assessment Commission. Created commission tasked
with studying and evaluating impacts of climate
change around the state, suggesting policies,
examine alternative measures, etc. Passed House
28-0, Passed Senate 17-0. Final commission report
produced March 17, 2008
• 2015 HB 1: Declaring the Arctic policy of the
state. Outlines policies of the state with
respect to the Arctic, stating that is the policy
of the state to 'sustain current, and develop
new, approaches for responding to a changing
climate, and adapt to the challenges of coastal
erosion, permafrost melt, and ocean
acidification.' Passed the House 32-2, Passed the
Senate 19-1
• 2016 HB 233: Establishing the Climate Change
Commission and 2017 HB 173: Establishing the
Alaska Climate Change Response Commission. Would
have created commission to advise the governor,
consult with experts, liaise with non-State
entities, recommend actions, provide annual
report. Died in committee
Previous Administrative Efforts
• 2007 Administrative Order 238: Governor Palin
"establish[ed] a Climate Change Sub-cabinet to
advise the Office of the Governor on the
preparation and implementation of an Alaska
climate change strategy." Sub-cabinet was
dissolved by Gov. Parnell, and AO 238 was
rescinded and replaced by Gov. Walker's AO-289.
• 2017 Administrative Order 289: Governor Walker
created a 20-person Climate Action for Alaska
Leadership Team and an Alaska Climate Change
Strategy to advise on 'critical and timely
actions to address climate change challenges that
will safeguard Alaska now and for future
generations.' AO 289 Rescinded by Gov. Dunleavy
in 2019.
3:36:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON turned attention to the vision for the
committee and explained that by creating a special committee,
the House, with a simple majority vote, can independently set a
path to: capture the imagination of the public; reflect the
public's support; create a direct and open forum for the
legislature; create recommendations for legislative action;
create public engagement; establish groundwork for the next
legislature; and avoid difficult political questions that would
prevent the creation of the committee. The committee would
engage in factfinding and "would not reinvent the wheel." It
would be dedicated to one purpose. He noted that the committee
would be recreated every two years.
3:38:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSEN observed the legislature does not often
adjourn within its allotted 90-120 days; she pointed out the
House Special Committee on Arctic Policy, Economic Development,
and Tourism, and other committees, are in place to hold hearings
and take legislative action on climate change if needed.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON suggested the House Special Committee
on Climate Change would meet monthly during session; he said the
committee staff's time may be extensive, and noted legislators
have some time available during interim. Although HAET could
[address climate change in the Arctic], many facets of climate
change do not occur in the Arctic, such as fires in the Tongass
National Forest; further, other committees do not have a
dedicated focus on the adaptation and mitigation of climate
change. He referred to previous [failed] legislation to create
a state climate change commission and stated the current
administration has no interest in this issue. Representative
Josephson expressed his personal foreboding about the summer of
2020.
REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSEN questioned how an [Alaska state
government] policy to fight climate change could affect areas of
the world outside of Alaska. She then asked whether the
proposed committee would require a budget for staff.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON, in response to staffing, said no. In
2021, he acknowledged the committee may require a small budget
for travel to rural Alaska. In response to Representative
Rasmussen's first question, he gave the example of the U.S.
states and [two territories] that have joined the U.S. Climate
Alliance to oppose U.S. withdrawal from the [2015 Paris
Agreement on climate change mitigation], and observed the
committee may explore this action. Finally, he characterized
the issue as "a moral responsibility."
3:44:39 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR recalled the House Resources Standing Committee
experienced difficulty scheduling the presentation on climate
change; she suggested members of a dedicated special committee
would be more focused on this topic.
REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSEN inquired as to why the sponsor prefers
a special committee to forming a climate change caucus.
CO-CHAIR TARR advised a caucus cannot hear bills.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON added that bills can be referred to a
special committee; further, the deliberative committee process
provides a certain structure for members.
3:47:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ told of her personal experience related
to the heat and smoke suffered by Alaskans [in Summer 2019], and
of the health issues related to climate change. She asked
whether the sponsor considered creating a taskforce.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he did not; he opined people
envision a taskforce as temporary and ephemeral.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ directed attention to the bill on page
3, lines 2 and 3, which read [in part]:
to explore policy options relating to climate change
effects, mitigation, resilience, and adaptation in the
state
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ pointed out Alaska also has an economic
opportunity in relation to climate change. She said there has
been entrepreneurism in the last few years that has capitalized
on Alaska's need to adapt. As an example, she mentioned BP's
set up of the solar array in Willow, Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO questioned whether appointments to a
special committee are required to follow the legislature's
uniform rules of procedure.
[REPRESENTATIVE TUCK] said yes.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON, in further response to Representative
Talerico, said he had no opinion as to the number of members
appointed to the proposed committee.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether there are any funds
remaining in the Renewable Energy Grant Fund [described on slide
8].
3:52:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON advised members of the [former] Climate
Action for Alaska Leadership Team (CAALT) have inquired [about
the status of the fund] of the fund's manager, the Alaska Energy
Authority, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development; he opined the fund needs to be recapitalized.
Representative Josephson closed by reading a statement from a
CAALT document [document not provided].
[HR 12 was held over.]
3:53:49 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:54 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 27 CS Version S 1.21.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Bill Version U 1.11.19.PDF |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB 27 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Bill Version U 1.11.19Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 DEC Fiscal Note 01.17.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 DOL Fiscal Note 01.17.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Letters of Support from Firefighters 4.2.19.pdf |
HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB 27 Flame Retardants Slide Presentation 4.2.19.pdf |
HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - CDC - Skin Exposures and Effects.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Expert Testimony Vytenis Babrauskas.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Federal Register CPSC 9.28.17.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Flame Retardants - NIH Fact Sheet July 2016.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Knoblauch article 1.24.18.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Leg Research on FF health costs.pdf |
HRES 4/3/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/5/2019 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Supporting Document - Combined Letters and Emails in Support 1.21.20.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HR12 Sponsor Statement 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 ver M 1.16.20.PDF |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR 12 Support Emails.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Supporting Document - CRRC letter of support for House Special Committee on Climate Change 1.21.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Supporting Document - Record warm water likely gave Kuskokwim salmon heart attacks (APM) 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Support Document - Battered by a marine heatwave, Kodiak's fishermen may not be fishing for much longer (APM) 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Supporting Document - A Western Alaska village begins to relocate (ADN) 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Supporting Document - Alaska's Coast Is Vanishing, 1 Storm at a Time (Scientific American) 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Supporting Document - As Alaska permafrost melts, roads sink, bridges tilt and gases escape (ADN) 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HR12 Supporting Document - Fighting Alaska’s wildfires cost over $300 million this year (ADN) 1.16.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| HB27 Explanation of Changes Ver U to Ver S 01.21.20.pdf |
HL&C 3/6/2020 3:15:00 PM HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB27 Opposing Document - Letters of Opposition Combined 01.23.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/27/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/29/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 1/31/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/5/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HR12 Presentation 1.24.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/3/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HR 12 |
| Presentation. Changing Climate in Alaska Brettschneider 1.22.20.pdf |
HRES 1/24/2020 1:00:00 PM |
climate |