Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/28/2005 08:30 AM House FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
SB103 | |
HB218 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | HB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 243 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 103 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 103 "An Act relating to regulation of underground injection under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act; and providing for an effective date." DANIEL T. SEAMOUNT, JR., COMMISSIONER, ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION (AOGCC), DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, (via teleconference) testified in support of SB 103. The bill allows AOGCC to take over primacy for a small number of waste disposal wells now overseen by EPA. He explained that these are seven Class I wells on the North Slope. He spoke of AOGCC's primacy over 1,155 Class II injection wells. He said it is complicated trying to sort out which wells apply. He spoke of redundant processes and opined that there would be considerable time and money saved because of this bill. AOGCC has a more streamlined process. 8:58:06 AM Representative Holm inquired about the duplication of efforts by the State of Alaska and EPA. Mr. Seamount responded that AOGCC's process for evaluating and approving Class II programs are very similar to EPA's. The state has full-time inspectors and geological staff. EPA requests the state's help on Class I well applications. Representative Holm asked if permit fees support the work. Mr. Seamount explained that a grant funds Class II wells. 9:00:12 AM Representative Holm asked if there is a charge to the oil companies for injection permits. Mr. Seamount replied that EPA and the state do not charge; they pay a charge for the injection based on how much gas is produced. Representative Holm said that the fiscal note does not reflect the costs of the permits. Mr. Seamount reported that there would be no cost, but savings. 9:02:05 AM Co-Chair Chenault asked if there is $127,000 for federal funding for Class II, but no federal funding for Class I. Mr. Seamount said that is correct. Co-Chair Chenault asked where the money comes from. Mr. Seamount replied it comes from regulatory cost charge, which is a direct charge to the operators. He explained the budgeting process. Co-Chair Chenault noted that they are paying for the services for the injection of the waste. Mr. Seamount agreed. 9:03:37 AM Co-Chair Chenault inquired about the presence of underground drinking water. Mr. Seamount replied that there are no underground supplies for drinking water and all of the water is frozen by permafrost. 9:04:59 AM Representative Foster MOVED to report SB 103 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 103 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "no recommendation" recommendation and with fiscal impact note #1 by the Department of Administration, and with zero note #2 by the Department of Natural Resources. Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT the letter of intent for SB 103. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 9:07:00 AM
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
---|