Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17
03/23/2010 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR47 | |
| HB357 | |
| SB272 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 257 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 357 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 272 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
1:03:54 PM
HJR 47-SMALL VESSEL CARGO EXEMPTION
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 47, Urging the United States Coast
Guard to amend its regulations relating to small vessels
transporting fuel and supplies to remote communities and
businesses in the state.
1:05:56 PM
DAVID SCOTT, Staff, Representative Kyle Johansen, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the prime sponsor, explained that HJR
47 would urge the U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.) to amend it
regulations relating to small vessels transporting fuel and
supplies to remote communities and businesses in the state. A
constituent brought this matter to Representative Johansen's
attention. Mr. Spokely is on-line to testify today, he stated.
DAVID SPOKELY, Power Systems and Supply Alaska, stated that
problems exist in delivering fuel and freight to Southeast
Alaska and remote sites. He explained that twenty years ago
logging barges were available in Southeast Alaska to help move
goods. He modified a vessel for fuel delivery. He then built a
brand new vessel and worked with the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) to develop a spill response that meets the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2010 standards.
The vessel he designed and built is a triple-hull high-speed
landing craft. Although the local and state branches of the
U.S.C.G. liked his system, when he applied for an exemption to
the federal law, the national offices limited him to one vessel
until the matter could be further investigated. He would like
to have several ships in order to serve local communities, but
has since been advised that due to cutbacks the U.S.C.G. would
not develop any regulations to allow operation of his vessels.
1:09:15 PM
MR. SPOKELY restated that the local and state U.S.C.G. "liked
what his company was doing." He explained that his spill
response plan meets the EPA's 2010 standards that the state will
implement for fuel delivery. His triple-hull lightweight vessel
cruises at 23 knots and can navigate into shallow waters, which
allows him to traverse bays and rivers. During its five years
of operation his vessel has never "spilled any fuel". He
detailed other aspects of his vessel's system, including the
self-regulating pumping system. The state DEC and the local
U.S.C.G. offices assisted him with the vessel design, certified,
and inspected his vessel as a passenger vessel, a bulk fuel
carrier, and a bulk cargo carrier. He reported that as of today
his vessel is the only vessel in the U.S. that has obtained all
three designations at once. The U.S.C.G. did not identify any
issues or request any modifications or changes to his vessel.
In fact, the state DEC office would like his company to expand
throughout the state to serve coastal areas, he stated.
MR. SPOKELY, in response to Chair Wilson, replied that his
vessel delivers fuel, cargo, and passengers. The difficulty is
that the regulations that apply to his vessel were developed for
supertankers. Thus, the U.S.C.G. has not addressed the
requirements that apply to smaller vessels. So long as his
vessel remains under 15 gross tons the bulk of the regulations
do not really apply, but since his tanks are internal, he must
meet the cargo tanker vessel regulations intended for large oil
tankers. In order to obtain relief, the U.S.C.G. must create a
new subchapter in regulation that would apply to smaller vessels
transporting fuel, freight, and passengers. He said, "We
addressed that through this exemption. They thought it was
great. They loved what we did. They agreed we should be
building more of these and supplying them everywhere. Maine has
been calling us and asking if they can get our boats." The
limitation arises since his vessel is built from aluminum and
the regulations require tankers to be built from steel. Thus,
his issue requires the U.S.C.G. to create a new category of
vessel. The U.S.C.G. was moving forward on regulations and then
decided on other priorities to fund. Therefore, no funding or
staff has been authorized to write the regulations.
1:13:58 PM
MR. SPOKELY reported that he has worked with the local U.S.C.G.
office on draft regulations, but the Juneau office does not have
resources to move forward, either. Meanwhile, he is "stuck"
with one boat in Ketchikan while Alaska needs more boats like
his to serve the small Alaskan communities. He pointed out the
exemption would apply to all companies providing similar
service, not just his company.
1:14:57 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that this resolution,
HJR 47, would ask the U.S.C.G. to create a new category of
vessel and separate it out from the requirements for larger
vessels.
1:15:47 PM
MR. SCOTT, in response to Representative Gruenberg, explained
that he had an expert witness lined up to testify but the person
was not able to make the meeting. He explained that the
U.S.C.G. personnel offered to answer any questions that are
submitted in writing.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered his belief that it sounds like
the statutory authorization exists but the U.S.C.G. must publish
a regulation to cover vessels that carry fuel, cargo, and
passengers concurrently at the same time.
MR. SCOTT agreed.
1:17:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that he does not have any
problem passing HJR 47 out of committee. He asked why the
U.S.C.G. has not yet adopted regulations since not doing so
makes it tough for Southeast Alaska businesses. He asked what
needs to happen, whether a U.S.C.G. Admiral could come before
the committee or if the U.S. Congressional delegation would need
to assist in addressing the issue.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said he appreciated Representative
Gruenberg's point of view. He would like to see the resolution
keep moving through the process.
CHAIR P. WILSON said she would also like to pass the resolution
out of committee. She asked the sponsor's staff to contact the
U.S.C.G.
1:18:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ related her understanding that the U.S.C.G.
in Alaska is supportive but the matter just needs attention at
the national level.
MR. SCOTT agreed.
CHAIR P. WILSON commented that she hoped this resolution would
help alleviate the problem.
1:19:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked whether the Ketchikan boat
building facility could build boats of that size.
MR. SCOTT answered yes.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN expressed support for using this type of
vessel in Western Alaska. He offered his strong for HJR 47.
1:20:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether this vessel was built
from the hull up.
MR. SPOKELY explained that his vessel is a one of a kind vessel.
This vessel is 44 feet long and he plans to keep any future
vessels under 65 feet and under 10,500 gallons. He stated that
his company does not want to compete with "giant barges" but
would like to deliver small quantities of fuel in a safe manner
to rural areas. He envisioned using the 50 to 60 foot vessels
as well as the 40-foot vessel designed specifically for shallow
water navigation. It takes less than ten minutes to convert his
vessel from a freight or passenger vessel to a fuel vessel.
Fuel transport operations cannot occur while passengers are on
board, which he characterized as a good policy.
CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that Mr. Spokely has a
"sister ship" waiting in the wings to be built.
MR. SPOKELY answered yes.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ thanked Mr. Spokely for his investment and
transportation in the Southeast Alaska region.
1:22:42 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON, after first determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HJR 47.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN remarked that the vessel Mr. Spokely
designed is in demand. He characterized the vessel as an
"amazing vessel" manufactured and designed in Alaska, with
potential applications statewide. He said he is proud to
represent District 1. He wants to "cut that red tape" and allow
Mr. Spokely to move forward with his second ship. He said, "We
should all get behind it and make it happen."
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN removed his objection.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to report HJR 47 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HJR 47 was reported from the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
1:24:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG added he was on a landing ship tank
(LST) in Vietnam, which he thought was very similar to this
vessel. He stated that the LSTs hauled cargo and people, but
did not need a pier to unload.
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