Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/16/1999 10:04 AM House O&G
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
Number 0094
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER announced that the only order of business before
the committee is HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11, Urging the United
States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, to oil and gas
exploration, development, and production.
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER believed that opening ANWR has overwhelming
support in the legislature, but due to the importance of this to
the future of Alaska discussion is warranted. Chairman Whitaker
noted his intention to pass HJR 11 from committee. The next
committee of referral for HJR 11 is the House Resources Committee.
Number 0158
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS, Alaska State Legislature, testified as the
sponsor of HJR 11. She noted that the details of ANWR have been
discussed for many years. Representative Phillips believed that
this resolution has been before the legislature every session she
has been in the legislature. The new members of Congress need to
have this resolution before them in order to illustrate the support
of the people of Alaska. Representative Phillips offered the
following technical amendment: Page 2, line 4; delete "imported",
insert "imports".
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER noted that the technical amendment would not
require committee action.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS urged the committee's support of HJR 11.
Number 0277
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN referred to page 3, lines 1-4 of HJR 11 when
inquiring as to, "how would these new innovations push the
environmental protection beyond these high standards that Alaska
has adopted?"
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS explained that every year the pipeline has
operated in Prudhoe Bay, technological advancements have occurred
due to Alaska's high environmental protection standards.
Representative Phillips believed that everything done by the
pipeline attempts to not only make the operation more efficient,
but also to make the operation more environmentally safe.
Representative Phillips pointed out that Bev Ward (ph) from ARCO
was present and could also speak to Representative Kemplen's
question.
Number 0409
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN said that Representative Phillips answer was
sufficient. Representative Kemplen wanted to be sure that the
language, "traditionally high standards" referred to environmental
protection. He expressed the importance of proceeding with the
development of Alaska's natural resources while maintaining high
environmental standards.
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER informed the committee that he had spent many
years on the North Slope as well as around the world observing oil
development. Chairman Whitaker said, "There's no comparison
between what is done on the North Slope and in Alaska in general
and other parts of the world. There is indeed a high standard and
it's, it is an improving standard as is indicated by the paragraph
in question."
REPRESENTATIVE SMALLEY said that he felt comfortable with the
language, page 3, lines 1-4, being discussed.
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE mentioned the available technologies such as
directional drilling, multi-well hulls, and the industry having
smaller footprints for the drilling pads. Representative Brice
indicated that the industry is leaving less of a disturbance.
Number 0649
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE moved to adopt Amendment 1.
AMENDMENT 1
Page 3, line 7, following "and be it":
Insert a new paragraph to read:
"FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature
opposes any unilateral reduction in royalty revenue from
exploration and development of the coastal plain of the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and any attempt to coerce
the State of Alaska into accepting less than the 90 percent
of the oil, gas, and mineral royalties from the federal land
in Alaska that was promised to the state at statehood; and
be it".
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
Number 0692
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN moved to report CSHJR 11(O&G) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
zero fiscal notes. Representative Ogan asked for unanimous
consent. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
Number 0750
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER said, in closing, "As important as ANWR is to
the future of Alaska, we have another development, a potential
development with regard to the North Slope that is equally as
important. And as was stated in the opening comments of this
committee, it is one of our goals, one of my goals to ensure that
North Slope gas is given every opportunity to be taken to market.
It is my intention within the relatively near future, this
session, to bring forward legislation that will assist in that
end. The plan is coalescing and as soon as those details become
available I will share them, certainly with the committee first.
And I hope that with your additions and helpful suggestions we
can put forward a piece of legislation that will move through the
legislature and help us move this very, very important commodity
to market."
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS mentioned that she was working on a
resolution on the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) in
order to obtain the additional acreage.
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER said that the committee is aggressive and
pro-active and actions such as Representative Phillips are
appreciated.
Number 0870
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN asked if any progress had been made in
scheduling a meeting to address the status of pipelines in Alaska
which is of concern to some of the committee members.
CHAIRMAN WHITAKER said nothing specific has been scheduled, but
discussions with Bob Malone indicate his willingness to provide
the committee with a presentation. Chairman Whitaker stated that
there will be a presentation from Alyeska as well as any other
pipeline entity.
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