Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
05/11/2024 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR29 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 11, 2024
2:46 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator James Kaufman, Chair
Senator David Wilson, Vice Chair
Senator Löki Tobin
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Forrest Dunbar
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29
Urging federal support for the state's aviation fuel transition.
- MOVED HJR 29 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 29
SHORT TITLE: TRANSITION FROM LEADED AVIATION FUEL
SPONSOR(s): TRANSPORTATION
05/06/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/06/24 (H) TRA
05/07/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
05/07/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/08/24 (H) TRA RPT 5DP 1AM
05/08/24 (H) DP: C.JOHNSON, VANCE, MCKAY, STUTES,
MCCABE
05/08/24 (H) AM: MINA
05/08/24 (H) TRA AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
05/08/24 (H) Moved HJR 29 Out of Committee
05/08/24 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
05/09/24 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/09/24 (H) VERSION: HJR 29
05/10/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/10/24 (S) TRA
05/11/24 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
JAKE ALMEIDA, Staff
Representative Sarah Vance
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HJR 29 on behalf of the House
Transportation Committee.
SENATOR MIKE SHOWER, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 29.
ACTION NARRATIVE
2:46:09 PM
CHAIR JAMES KAUFMAN called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 2:46 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Myers, and Chair Kaufman.
Senator Tobin arrived soon thereafter.
HJR 29-TRANSITION FROM LEADED AVIATION FUEL
2:46:59 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced the consideration of HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 29 Urging federal support for the state's
aviation fuel transition.
2:47:34 PM
JAKE ALMEIDA, Staff, Representative Sarah Vance, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced HJR 29 on behalf of the
House Transportation Committee, read the following statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
House Joint Resolution 29 urges the federal government
to collaborate with Alaska's congressional delegation
to grant Alaska a four-year extension to comply with
the FAA's transition away from leaded aviation fuels.
• In 2022, the FAA launched the Eliminate Aviation
Gasoline Lead Emissions (or EAGLE) initiative to see
the elimination of leaded aviation fuel by 2030.
2:48:28 PM
SENATOR TOBIN joined the meeting.
2:48:30 PM
MR. ALMEIDA continued the introduction of HJR 29.
[Original punctuation provided.]
• While Alaska was initially granted extension until
2034, recent amendments to the FAA Reauthorization
Act do not include the four-year extension,
endangering the general aviation sector in Alaska.
• With this resolution we are supporting Senator
Sullivan in his request for four more years to find
and FUND a path forward.
• Large portions of our state are disconnected from a
road system and rely on air travel.
• Many commercial and private aircraft are single
piston engine powered and still require leaded fuels
to function properly.
• Lacking approved alternative fuels and an adequate
supply chain for replacement parts, many small
piston engine aircraft could become economically
unfeasible, with potential losses of up to $100,000
per unit.
• If Alaska's transition away from leaded aviation
fuels is not managed carefully, we run the risk of
devastating both commercial and private piston
engine-powered aircraft operations, creating
significant challenges for Alaska's general aviation
industry.
• It is important to address both the health concerns
of leaded aviation fuels AND safeguard Alaska's
economy and residents ability to access essential
transportation networks.
• The legislature's support for this resolution is
essential to show support to our congressional
delegation in protecting Alaskans' interests and
preserving vital services provided by the general
aviation sector.
2:51:33 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked what the consequence would be if Alaska
chooses not to comply [with the EAGLE initiative].
MR. ALMEIDA replied that concerns had been expressed by private
and public aviation companies that have aircraft which rely on
these [leaded] fuels. He said immediate enforcement would
effectively ground those aircraft until repairs are made, or new
aircraft replaces them. He said it would essentially deadlock
carriers that rely on these aircraft.
2:52:43 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked about enforcement of the EAGLE initiative.
He wondered how aircraft flown from private runways or using the
river system to land or frozen tundra, who would be enforcing
the initiative. He also referred to HJR 29, 33-LS1612\B, page 2,
lines 14-16 and suggested a possible amendment, that would
include copies to the FAA outlining the Alaska legislature's
wishes.
2:53:32 PM
MR. ALMEIDA replied that adding the specified amendment to have
copies sent to the current director of the FAA would be at the
committee's discretion. He returned to the enforcement question
and explained that the FAA would be enforcing the [EAGLE]
initiative. He said, if the initiative goes into effect in 2030,
any aircraft that is not in compliance with the initiative will
be subject to inspection and enforcement.
2:54:28 PM
SENATOR MYERS noted that leaded aviation fuel is one of the only
fuels that is not manufactured in Alaska and all our leaded
aviation fuel is shipped up. He said this would put the state in
a bind, whether or not Alaska complies.
2:55:22 PM
SENATOR TOBIN noted that communities of color are most
egregiously impacted by lead emissions. In most of rural Alaska,
homes are located very near the airports. She asserted that the
transition away from leaded fuels was specifically to help those
communities and those children. She asked why HJR 29 doesn't
talk about fuels that can be used in the transition, like low
leaded fuels and why doesn't it propose that we start on a path
to transition to protect our communities, particularly the
children in those communities.
SENATOR TOBIN noted HJR 29 was introduced May 6th and asked why
it hadn't been introduced earlier, noting that the legislative
session is due to end soon.
2:56:18 PM
MR. ALMEIDA answered the first question, explaining that the
intent of HJR 29 is not to take a stance or a position on the
EAGLE Initiative from the FAA, but to acknowledge that it is
happening and there is a date in place to begin enforcing the
initiative. HJR 29 is stating that the state would like an extra
four years [to comply]. He opined that Alaska needs extra time.
HJR acknowledges that Alaska needs more time to work with
private enterprises to prevent or minimize the effect [of the
EAGLE initiative].
MR. ALMEIDA in answer to the second question, said Alaska
received late notice from the FAA to be on time for 2030, after
having understood that the deadline had been amended to 2034. He
said the notice came from U.S. Senator Sullivan, urging that a
resolution from the Alaska legislature would be pivotal.
2:58:10 PM
SENATOR TOBIN referred to HJR 29, page 1, lines 9 - 11. She
opined that it would not be untoward to say Alaska supports the
federal governments assistance in the transition using low level
lead fuels and recognizing the health and safety of our
citizens. She acknowledged HJR 29 may not represent a stance
[opposing the EAGLE initiative], but she said the transition is
happening and we do believe the federal government has a role in
helping Alaska make that transition for all our communities.
MR. ALMEIDA expressed a willingness to work with the committee
to make that change.
2:58:55 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN noted that if HJR 29 makes it to the floor of the
senate, amendments could be done there.
CHAIR KAUFMAN said the operational benefits [of leaded fuel] are
significant, and he recalled the noticeable damaging effects of
switching to unleaded fuels in automobile engines. He sought to
balance safety concerns for affected aircraft and environmental
effects when the transition to unleaded fuel takes place.
3:00:05 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN opened public testimony on HJR 29.
3:00:34 PM
SENATOR MIKE SHOWER, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, said,
though he is the Senator from District O, he is testifying on
behalf of himself. He expressed high interest in this resolution
and said that he is quite knowledgeable on this topic.
SENATOR SHOWER noted the concern for communities of color and
said the state is already only using low lead gas, there is no
leaded gas anymore. There's 100 low lead and that is all that is
out there. That is as low as it goes without changing the makeup
of engines and parts, etc. It is already very low by standards
of emissions. He opined that there are not very high emissions
from piston powered engines, and he compared emission rates to a
car engine, which, he said, have slightly more horsepower than
airplanes do.
SENATOR SHOWER opined that if the EAGLE initiative transition
takes place at the pace proposed by the FAA, the communities of
color who rely on piston powered aircraft, will experience high
costs, grounded aircraft and possibly a suspension of aviation
support, which they need for food, fuel, medicine, emergency
care and transport between the small communities. He said in
addition to the high cost, safety is a consideration as well. He
said some of the aircraft will not be able to operate and there
is potential for dangerous situations.
SENATOR SHOWER said he thought 100 low lead fuel would still be
made if the transition is made because there is a very large
market for it, as the largest geographical state relying heavily
on-air transportation. He described his experience with his
personal aircraft and said that, though it has been modified to
accept unleaded fuel, he has been advised to mix in low lead
fuel to protect the engine.
SENATOR SHOWER acknowledged that the transition is coming, and
he said the question is to support the congressional delegation
to let them know Alaska needs more time to do this, because this
is going to significantly affect Alaska. The state will not be
able to deliver supplies and people without an extension; not
without prohibitive costs, danger when flying the aircraft, and
the inability to move people in far flung communities.
3:04:12 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN closed public testimony on HJR 29.
3:04:19 PM
At ease.
3:04:32 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN reconvened the meeting and solicited the will of
the committee.
3:04:48 PM
SENATOR WILSON moved to report HJR 29, work order 33-LS1612\B,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:05:13 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN found no objection and HJR 29 was reported from
the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
3:05:16 PM
At ease.
3:06:36 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN reconvened the meeting.
3:07:56 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kaufman adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 3:07 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR29 VerB Sponsor Statement 5.6.24.pdf |
HTRA 5/7/2024 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/11/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HJR 29 |
| HJR 29 Ver A Fiscal Note LEG 5.7.24.pdf |
HTRA 5/8/2024 9:00:00 AM STRA 5/11/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HJR 29 |
| HJR 29 FAQs FAA UL Fuel Development 5.9.24.pdf |
STRA 5/11/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HJR 29 |