2003-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0403
SB 116                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 116 BY THE SENATE 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 information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1. Department of Environmental Conservation                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated March 5:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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.                          
                                                                                                    
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.                                 

2003-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0404
     · 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