Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
04/02/2019 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR12 | |
| Presentation(s): United States Coast Guard | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 12-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
1:03:27 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12, Supporting the completion of
the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in
defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; and encouraging
the development of critical Arctic infrastructure.
1:03:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO, as prime sponsor, presented HJR 12. He
offered his sponsor statement, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Completing the Northern Rail Extension to Fort Greely
and Delta Junction would support Military operations,
mining, and agricultural in the Interior of Alaska.
In the Act of 1914, the United States Congress
authorized the construction of a railroad in Alaska.
The railroad was to connect one or more open harbors
in Alaska, with the Interior of Alaska, to develop
agricultural and mineral resources of Alaska, and the
settlement of people on public lands therein, to
provide transportation of fuels for the Military,
transporting troops, arms, munitions, the mail, and
other governmental and public uses. Unfortunately,
that dream was never realized.
The Alaska Railroad Transfer Act (ARTA) of 1983, the
U.S. Congress again recognized the importance of the
railroad in providing freight and passenger rail
service to Alaska. Congress also found that
continuation of services and the expansion of those
services are necessary to achieve Federal, State, and
private objectives. The State's continued operation
together with expansion of the railroad constitutes an
appropriate public use of the rail system. Once again,
the dream of expansion was unrealized.
Finally, in 2013, almost one hundred years later, the
Northern rail expansion was proposed by Alaska
Railroad in conjunction with the Department of
Defense, the four phased plan was completed. Phase
one, Crossing the Tanana River, was completed. The
remaining three phases need to be accomplished before
we can realize completion of the Northern rail
expansion.
With the expansion of the Fort Greely missile complex
and expanded training ranges, increased agriculture in
Delta Junction, and increased mining operations in the
area. This resolution supports critical infrastructure
development, national security, economic development,
and natural resource development in the State of
Alaska. The Northern Rail Extension project would
provide essential freight and passenger service to
support transportation and mobility needs of the
region.
This is a project long overdue for Alaska and I ask
for your support for this resolution.
1:06:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO cited AS 42.40.550, which read as
follows:
Sec. 42.40.550. Extension of railroad to Fort
Greely.
The corporation may acquire a transportation corridor
between the existing railroad corridor and Fort
Greely, Alaska, and construct a rail line within the
corridor to provide rail service to the Fort Greely
area and points between. The transportation corridor
may be designated for a use identified under AS
42.40.350(b) and other transportation and utility
uses. The corporation may also acquire land along the
corridor for use as rail land that can be developed
for terminal, station, and maintenance facilities,
switching yards, and any other purposes associated
with the railroad utility corridor.
1:07:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO stated that the Act of 1914 authorized
the U.S. President to construct a thousand miles of rail line.
He estimated that Alaska currently has 467 miles of rail line.
He stated that his request "has a lot to do with national
security." He said that the expansion of infrastructure in Ft.
Greely is significant.
1:08:36 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES asked what the distance is between Ft. Greely
and the railway's current end.
1:08:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO answered that it is about 70 miles. He
said the railway extends all the way to Eielson Air Force Base
from Fairbanks. A bridge was built across the Tanana River
about four years ago, at an approximate cost of $184 million.
In response to a follow-up question, he said an environmental
impact statement (EIS) process has been done, and a route has
been identified. Phase one is complete, which leaves phases
two-four.
1:10:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked how much the railroad between
Fairbanks and Eielson Air Force Base is being used currently.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO offered his understanding that coal
trains travel the route twice a week. Also, jet fuel is
transported to Eielson Air Force Base. In response to follow-up
questions from Representative Claman, he said the estimated cost
per mile to lay tracks can range from $3-$8 million. He
affirmed that the state currently does not have the funds; HJR
12 is request to the federal government, particular to the
Department of Defense (DoD). In regard to a proposed $17
billion project to lay rail from the tar sands in Canada to
Alaska, he said he believes that would just be a connection to
wherever the railway [in Alaska] stopped in Delta. He said he
thinks the $17 billion estimate may be to run the tracks all the
way to Eielson Air Force Base; therefore, "if this was actually
put in there," that amount may be less.
1:13:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND stated that she traveled to Delta last
summer with Representatives Talerico, Tarr, and Rauscher and
Senator Shower on the first legislative farm tour since 1984.
She said that experience showed her that "they could sure use an
alternative form of transportation." She said she would not
wish driving to Southcentral Alaska on the Richardson Highway on
a regular basis on anyone. She said, "I absolutely saw the need
... for this." She expressed disbelief regarding the cost of
the Canada rail proposed, and she asked if 80 miles would be the
total through all phases of the proposed northern rail extension
and at a cost of about $600 million.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO said it would be about $640 million. He
mentioned a map [included in the committee packet], and he
offered his understanding that the location of the right-of-way
was moved to the other side of the Tanana River [to avoid
mountains].
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND observed that the route through Canada,
the "A2A" line, would have 200 of its 1,700 miles in Alaska;
therefore, she concluded that [the northern rail extension]
would take care of about 80 miles of those 200 miles.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that is correct.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND stated, "I can be supportive of this."
1:16:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY inquired as to the extent of communication
with property owners of the land and other interested parties.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO responded that most of the extension is
on a military reserve in Tanana Flats; one area of private
property is near Delta Junction and is owned by Ahtna,
Incorporated; and most of the rest of the property is on
government-owned land. In response to a follow-up question, he
said the Alaska Railroad has spoken previously with
representatives of Ahtna, Incorporated, and those discussions
will continue.
1:18:00 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL asked a series of questions about water crossings.
He remarked that if the federal government wanted to put in
"structural money," it would "tie in nicely to the A2A project."
He also asked how missile components are brought to Ft. Greely.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that the tracks go over the
newly constructed bridge. He offered his understanding that
"the bridge would cross the Delta River."
1:19:27 PM
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative David Talerico, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Talerico, prime
sponsor of HJR 12, explained that missiles are brought up by
barge, then taken to Fairbanks by rail, then shipped by truck to
Ft. Greely, where they are reassembled. The addition of the
northern extension of the rail would shave off a couple days in
that shipping process.
1:20:01 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL opened public testimony on HJR 12.
1:20:35 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:20 p.m.
1:20:59 PM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY opined that because the sole purpose of the
northern extension of the train will be for federal use, the
federal government - not Alaska - should pay the full cost. She
said Alaska is broke. She said the federal government is
militarizing Alaska and owns 65 percent of the land in Alaska.
She reemphasized that the federal government needs to pay for
all of it, and she stated, "I'm not happy about any of it." She
questioned when the EIS was done.
1:24:07 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL closed public testimony on HJR 12.
CO-CHAIR WOOL noted that HJR 12 had a zero fiscal note. He
said, "It is all federal money, as proposed."
1:24:22 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that HJR 12 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 12 RR Northern Rail Extension Project Scope 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Sponsor Statement 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document ARCA_October_2012 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document ARTA_2005 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document HCR2 (2003).pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HCR 2 HJR 12 |
| HJR012A 3.21.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Additional Documents Alaska Rail Act of 1914 3.21.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Fiscal Note 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document - A2A News Report 4.1.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document - A2A presentation 4.1.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| USCG HTRA Brief 4.2.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |