2003-03-05                     House Journal                      Page 0430
HB 160                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 160 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the emission control permit program; relating                              
     to fees for that program and to the accounting of receipts                                     
     deposited in the emission control permit receipts account; and                                 
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Environmental Conservation                                                     
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 5, 2003, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under Authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I                           
am transmitting a bill related to the state's air quality control program.                          
                                                                                                    

2003-03-05                     House Journal                      Page 0431
The State of Alaska has responsibility for management of air quality                                
and recognizes that air permits are necessary to maintain Alaska's                                  
excellent air quality.  The bill achieves protection of air quality while                           
reforming the permit review process to make permitting predictable,                                 
reliable and rational.  Specifically, the bill will:                                                
                                                                                                    
     · Allow DEC's program to reflect national precedents, court                                    
         decisions, and incorporate best practices from other states into                           
         our permits.                                                                               
     · Differentiate major source from minor source permits.                                        
     · Regulate minor sources based on standardized permit                                          
           conditions that incorporate best management practices.                                  
     · Exempt sources based on standardized permit conditions that                                  
         incorporate best management practices.                                                     
     · Exempt sources from permitting to the extent allowed under                                   
         federal law.                                                                               
     · Achieve efficiency through adopting federal rules by                                         
         reference.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
In the end, the reform that this bill initiates will result in more efficient                       
review of permits and more "hard-hat time" for field inspectors                                     
working to make sure standards are protective and permits are                                       
enforced.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this important                                    
legislation.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Frank H. Murkowski                                                 
                                  Governor"