Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/22/2025 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR14 | |
| SJR12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 22, 2025
1:01 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ashley Carrick, Co-Chair
Representative Ted Eischeid, Co-Chair
Representative Genevieve Mina
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Cathy Tilton
Representative Elexie Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension
and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in
defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a
renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community-minded
approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the
development of critical Arctic infrastructure.
- HEARD & HELD
CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12(TRA)
Urging the United States Congress and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to address outages of National Data
Buoy Center stations.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 14
SHORT TITLE: PORT MACKENZIE & NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSIONS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MCCABE
03/21/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/25 (H) TRA
04/10/25 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/10/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/10/25 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
04/22/25 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SJR 12
SHORT TITLE: NOAA BUOY OUTAGES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNBAR
02/26/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/25 (S) TRA
03/20/25 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/20/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/20/25 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
03/25/25 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/25/25 (S) Moved CSSJR 12(TRA) Out of Committee
03/25/25 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
03/26/25 (S) TRA RPT CS 3DP SAME TITLE
03/26/25 (S) DP: BJORKMAN, KIEHL, TOBIN
04/04/25 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/04/25 (S) VERSION: CSSJR 12(TRA)
04/07/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/07/25 (H) TRA
04/15/25 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/15/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/22/25 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
MEGHAN CLEMANS, Director
External Affairs
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HJR 14; provided
public testimony in support of HJR 14.
BRIAN LINDAMOOD, Chief Engineer
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HJR 14.
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented CSSJR 12(TRA).
JOHN GUTHRIE, Project Manager
Maritime Operations
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony on CSSJR 12(TRA).
ROBERT ARCHIBALD, President
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony on CSSJR 12(TRA).
ARIELLE WIGGEN, Staff
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Senator Dunbar, prime sponsor,
answered questions on CSSJR 12(TRA).
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:01:33 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. Representatives Moore,
Stutes, McCabe, Tilton, Eischeid, and Carrick were present at
the call to order. Representative Mina arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
HJR 14-PORT MACKENZIE & NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSIONS
1:02:27 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Supporting the
completion of the Port McKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern
Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive
capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed
commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community-minded approach
to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of
critical Arctic infrastructure.
1:03:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MCCABE, as prime sponsor, reviewed HJR 14.
He explained that the proposed resolution would endorse two key
infrastructure railroad expansion projects: the Northern Rail
Extension and the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension. He expressed
the opinion that the projects would strengthen Alaska's
infrastructure and enhance national defense capabilities. He
added that these projects would open the state to needed
resource development. He said that his office has received a
"huge" number of letters supporting the proposed resolution.
1:04:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed support and questioned the cost
of each component of HJR 14.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE answered that railroad engineers have
given an estimate of $290 million for the 32 miles of track from
Port MacKenzie to just south of Houston. He stated that the
Northern Rail Extension would be "significantly more," as a $200
million bridge has been built already. He expressed the
understanding that because of the several billion dollars needed
to complete the extension to Canada, the money would need to be
federal funds. In response to a follow-up question concerning
the exact beginning and ending of the Northern Rail Extension
project, he deferred to a representative from the Alaska
Railroad.
1:06:00 PM
MEGHAN CLEMANS, Director, External Affairs, Alaska Railroad
Corporation (ARRC), responded that the Northern Rail Extension
would go 89 miles from the Eielson branch of the Alaska Railroad
to Fort Greely and Delta Junction, but it would not reach the
Canadian border. She said that the proposed line to the border
crossing would follow the extension, so the extension would be
an important step to reaching the border. In response to a
follow-up question, she expressed uncertainty concerning the
distance from Delta Junction to the Canadian border. She
deferred to the chief engineer for ARRC.
1:07:29 PM
BRIAN LINDAMOOD, Chief Engineer, Alaska Railroad Corporation,
estimated that from Delta Junction to the Canadian border would
be around 160 miles, depending on the route.
1:08:12 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 14.
1:08:24 PM
MS. CLEMANS, on behalf of ARRC, expressed support for the
proposed resolution, adding that ARRC supports the expansion of
rail infrastructure in the state. She indicated that the
railroad has hired an outside engineering firm to update the
cost of completing the Port MacKinzie project, and it has
submitted federal grant applications for this project and the
Northern Rail Extension project. For the Northern Rail
Extension project, ARRC has submitted a spending request to
Alaska's Congressional Delegation. She stated that ARRC has
been working with the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough, the
Port MacKinzie staff, and Representative McCabe to identify
potential customers and an anchor tenant for the Port MacKinzie
project. In lieu of an anchor tenant, it has worked with
stakeholders to develop a spending strategy, and ARRC plans to
apply for a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety
Improvements (CRISI) grant. She noted that the Mat-Su Borough
would be submitting a Legislative Finance Capital Project
Submission and Information System (CAPSIS) request for the
needed 20 percent-nonmatching federal funds.
MS. CLEMANS noted ARRC's ongoing engagement with stakeholders to
advocate for both projects. She expressed the belief that these
projects would add new transportation efficiencies to the state,
unlocking opportunities, such as resource exports, energy
solutions, and project development. Noting the large size of
the projects, she maintained that the projects would require the
involvement and support of railroad partners. She stated that
the proposed resolution is important, as it would confirm
support for these projects.
1:11:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES questioned why Ms. Clemans did not mention
the [United States Armed Forces] during her testimony. She
expressed the understanding that completing the projects would
be a "huge boon" for the military.
MS. CLEMANS answered that ARRC has had outreach with the
military, especially concerning the Northern Rail Extension
project. She pointed out the [Tanana Bridge] on the extension
already provides year-round access to the Joint Base Elmendorf-
Richardson's (JBER's) training facility. She stated that the
military had helped to fund the bridge.
1:12:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE added that the military has been to Port
MacKenzie over 20 times in the past year to conduct meetings
with the Alaska Railroad, and it will be using the area around
the port for training.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES, in a follow-up comment, suggested to
"keep pushing" [the relationship with] the military forward.
1:13:37 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 14.
1:13:55 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that HJR 14 was held over.
1:14:13 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:14 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
SJR 12-NOAA BUOY OUTAGES
1:15:19 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that the final order of business
would be CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12(TRA), Urging the
United States Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to address outages of National Data Buoy Center
stations.
1:15:31 PM
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented the committee substitute (CS) for SJR
12(TRA). He paraphrased from the sponsor statement [copy
included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
SJR 12 calls attention to a small but important piece
of federal infrastructure: National Data Buoy Center
meteorological stations. Weather buoys provide
important data points for forecasting models and real
time observations that are critical to safe fishing
and navigation in coastal Alaska. They inform mariners
decisions on when to leave harbor and when to return.
Of particular concern is the Seal Rocks Buoy in Prince
William Sound. The Coast Guard relies on this station
to determine if conditions in Hinchinbrook Entrance
are safe for the transit of laden oil tankers
departing the Alyeska Terminal in Valdez. Like many
other NDBC meteorological stations in Alaska, the Seal
Rocks Buoy has experienced lengthy service outages in
the last few years, including the entirety of last
winter. Currently, it has been nonfunctional since
October 2024. Without this station, the Coast Guard
must rely on spot reports from passing ships and data
from more distant stations to estimate conditions in
Hinchinbrook Entrance.
This situation is dangerous. Hinchinbrook Entrance is
narrow; if a tanker were to lose control there would
be very little time to prevent it from grounding.
Attaching a tow line or performing any other rescue
operations is very difficult in high winds and waves.
If a tanker did ground in bad weather, Prince William
Sound would experience a repeat of the Exxon Valdez
disaster. This would be devastating for the local
environment, fisheries, and tourism. It would cost the
state and federal government tens of billions of
dollars to clean up. When the stakes are this high, it
is essential that safety equipment like the Seal Rocks
Buoy kept in service.
SJR 12 will convey this information to Alaska's
Congressional delegation and the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the
parent agency of NDBC. It will ask NOAA to restore
reliability to NDBC and Seal Rocks Buoy service and
ask Congress to ensure NOAA has the resources to do
so. At a time when federal agencies and services are
under threat, it is important to remind decision-
makers that these functions are critical to Alaska.
1:18:40 PM
JOHN GUTHRIE, Project Manager, Maritime Operations, Prince
William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council, gave invited
testimony on CSSJR 12(TRA). He stated that the council is a
federally mandated, nonprofit organization with the mission of
promoting environmentally safe operations of the Alyeska
pipeline, the Valdez Marine Terminal, and the associated oil
tankers. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and its contract with
the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company guide this work. He stated
that the council represents the communities affected by the
[1989] Exxon Valdez oil spill, as well as other groups.
MR. GUTHRIE stated that the oil from the spill is still found on
the beaches throughout the region. He acknowledged that certain
species may never recover, and there is lingering trauma in
people from the affected communities. He stated that the oil-
spill prevention system in Prince William Sound is one of the
most comprehensive in the country, as tugboats escort every
outbound tanker from Valdez to the Gulf of Alaska.
MR. GUTHRIE, on behalf of the council, expressed support for the
proposed resolution, which would request that the U.S. Congress
and the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), under the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), address the
outages of these national data buoys and weather stations in the
state. He argued that this is critical for the safe
transportation of oil in the region. He added that the
information from the stations has benefited subsistence
gathering, commercial fishing, charter boats, tour boats,
recreational boats, freight shippers, and other users.
MR. GUTHRIE stated that the main concern is Hinchinbrook
Entrance, which connects the sound with the gulf. Over the last
year and a half, he said that the buoy has been functional for
only 35 days. Before tankers can leave the sound, he indicated
that there is a requirement on wind speed and wave height, and
the U.S. Coast Guard makes these decisions using buoy data. He
maintained that if the buoys were not functioning, the
information would not be exact, causing concern for accompanying
tugboats in bad weather. He continued that the council would
like the assurance that tankers would not depart in conditions
when a tugboat could not operate. He emphasized that the
operation of the Seal Rocks Buoy is imperative to oil spill
prevention.
1:21:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE questioned who has the responsibility for
the maintenance of buoys.
MR. GUTHRIE responded that NDBC and NOAA are responsible for the
maintenance. He stated that logistical support from the U.S.
Coast Guard can be requested, but this is not its primary job.
He stated that NDBC is contracting a vessel in June to repair
the buoy. He acknowledged that the Coast Guard cannot always
offer support.
1:23:03 PM
ROBERT ARCHIBALD, President, Prince William Sound Regional
Citizens' Advisory Council, gave invited testimony on CSSJR
12(TRA). He shared that he has been on the board for 10 years.
He expressed support for the proposed legislation. He pointed
out that this would address buoys in the Gulf of Alaska and
Prince William Sound. He explained that the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline System (TAPS) does not stop in Valdez; rather, it
continues out on tankers to the West Coast or Asia.
MR. ARCHIBALD shared that he has worked onboard escort tugboats
out of Valdez for 15 years and onboard various vessels in Valdez
for 22 years. From this experience, he said that he has
firsthand knowledge of being on the ocean without reliable
weather-observation information. He stressed that this puts
tugboat crews in harm's way. He pointed out that buoy data is
more reliable than the human eye and a wind forecast from
vessels.
1:25:22 PM
CO-CHAIR EISCHEID, per the proposed resolution, questioned the
meaning of the phrase "take actions necessary" to restore the
buoy station. He further questioned what is not happening that
the proposed resolution is requesting.
ARIELLE WIGGEN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Senator Dunbar, answered questions on
CSSJR 12(TRA). She deferred the question to Mr. Guthrie.
MR. GUTHRIE explained that the current funding for buoy
maintenance is insufficient.
1:26:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE commented that the proposed resolution
could be strengthened by having the requirement that the U.S.
Coast Guard maintain the buoy, as it has a cutter ship in
Cordova. He suggested that this could be the U.S. Coast Guard's
job, noting that a buoy tender is already set up for this work.
He opined that this would not require a contract, and it could
pertain only to this area, as another oil spill should be
prevented.
1:27:52 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK questioned whether the idea was posed that the
U.S. Coast Guard could take over the management of the Seal
Rocks Buoy.
1:28:08 PM
ARIELLE WIGGEN responded that this question has not been asked.
She stated that this change could be entertained. In response
to a follow-up question concerning the number of buoys in the
state that are not functioning, she stated that she would follow
up to the committee with this answer.
CO-CHAIR CARRICK, in follow up, also requested information
concerning the number of buoys that NOAA manages in the state
and the number of these with outages.
1:29:12 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:29 p.m.
1:29:43 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that CSSJR 12(TRA) was held over.
1:30:39 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:30
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 14 Fiscal Note HTRA.4.9.25.pdf |
HTRA 4/22/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 14 |