02/01/1995 08:07 AM House RES

 HRES - 02/01/95                                                               
 HJR 7 - EXPORT OF ALASKA OIL                                                
                                                                               
 Number 008                                                                    
                                                                               
 JILL WHITTENBRADER, AIDE, REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FINKELSTEIN, PRIME             
 SPONSOR, said HJR 7 endorses federal legislation to lift the ban on           
 the export of Alaska North Slope crude oil.  She noted that every             
 year the legislature passes a similar resolution.  It is felt that            
 this year is an especially good year for this resolution because              
 President Clinton has shown support for lifting the ban and                   
 Alaska's Congressional delegation is in an excellent position to              
 push the lifting of the ban.                                                  
                                                                               
 MS. WHITTENBRADER stated lifting the ban would create more revenue            
 for the state as well as the nation and would also help create                
 jobs.                                                                         
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a MOTION and asked for unanimous consent           
 to ADOPT CSHJR 7(O&G).                                                        
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections.  Hearing             
 none, the MOTION PASSED.                                                      
                                                                               
 Number 035                                                                    
                                                                               
 JIM PALMER, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, BRITISH PETROLEUM                   
 EXPLORATION (ALASKA), stated he had submitted written testimony               
 (may be found in the House Resources Committee Room, Capitol #124,            
 and after adjournment of the second session of the 19th Alaska                
 State Legislature, in the Legislative Reference Library).  He said            
 he had been around the issue since 1973 when the pipeline act was             
 enacted in Congress.  He felt this year there is the best                     
 opportunity to get the ban lifted.  He indicated his endorsement of           
 HJR 7.                                                                        
                                                                               
 Number 050                                                                    
                                                                               
 BEVERLY WARD, REPRESENTATIVE, ARCO ALASKA, stated she was happy to            
 be present to add ARCO's voice to the chorus of those asking that             
 the oil export ban be lifted.  She said ARCO pledges support to               
 work with the state to win passage of federal legislation                     
 eliminating the ban on the export of North Slope oil.  She noted              
 that prior to the 1994 election, ARCO judged passage of legislation           
 lifting the export ban as very unlikely.  It now appears passage is           
 possible.                                                                     
                                                                               
 MS. WARD said ARCO will not benefit from elimination of the export            
 ban.  But because of the potential benefit to the state, and at the           
 request of the Knowles Administration, ARCO reevaluated its long-             
 standing neutral position on the issue and decided the time had               
 come to join the state in working to open Pacific Rim markets to              
 Alaska oil.  She stated ARCO will make clear to members of Congress           
 its support for legislation eliminating the export ban.  ARCO will            
 also work closely with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, the               
 legislature, and the Knowles Administration on this issue in                  
 whatever way is appropriate.                                                  
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BARNES noted she is pleased to see that ARCO has               
 moved from their neutral position.  She found it offensive when a             
 company, such as ARCO, remains neutral on an issue of such great              
 importance to the state of Alaska.                                            
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a MOTION to MOVE CSHJR 7(O&G) out of               
 committee with accompanying fiscal notes with INDIVIDUAL                      
 RECOMMENDATIONS.                                                              
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked for a roll call vote.  Voting in favor             
 of the motion were Representatives Davies, Austerman, Ogan,                   
 Nicholia, Kott, Barnes and Williams.  The MOTION PASSED 7-0.