Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/09/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR8 | |
| SJR20 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HCR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 20-WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEM STATION OUTAGES
1:37:54 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 Urging the
United States Congress to address outages of Automated Weather
Observing System stations and Automated Surface Observing System
stations occurring in the state.
This is the introductory hearing of SJR 20, which is sponsored
by the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee. The
intent is to hear invited and public testimony and set the
resolution aside. He invited Ms. Wiggins to introduce SJR 20.
1:38:19 PM
ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced SJR 20 on behalf of the
Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee. She stated that
SJR 20 urges Congress to rectify shortcomings in Alaska's
weather observation systems. She emphasized that more than 80
percent of Alaska's communities are not accessible by road and
highlighted that Alaska is the most sparsely populated state.
She noted that critical weather observation systems are often
disrupted or absent in essential areas and stated that equipment
used in the Lower 48 is inadequate for Alaska's unique
geography. She stressed commitment to prioritize aviation safety
in Alaska and referenced six fatal commercial aviation crashes
in Alaska from 2010 to 2020 where weather was a causal factor.
1:39:21 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR invited Senator Hughes to speak to the resolution.
1:39:32 PM
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, District M, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of SJR 20. She
thanked the committee for sponsoring SJR 20 since the time for
legislators to personally submit legislation had ended. She
explained that federal transportation staff were aware of
[Alaska's weather observation systems] problems as early as
2018, during work on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
reauthorization bill. Efforts were made to address the issue
then, but it remains unresolved, requiring more specific action.
She commended SJR 20 for clearly outlining the facts and
background information, crediting contributions from expert
testifiers.
1:40:57 PM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that her work on food security brought
attention to the issue. The Transportation Infrastructure
Committee identified weather observation system outages as a
cause of food spoilage in rural communities. She credited Mr.
Mike Jones with the Institute of Social and Economic Research
(ICER) for raising awareness of the problem through
presentations, including to the Airmen's Association. She
highlighted that language addressing the issue is being worked
on in both the House and Senate in Congress.
SENATOR HUGHES stressed that this issue extends beyond food,
affecting passenger service, medical emergencies, and cargo
transport. She emphasized the importance of Alaska's legislature
speaking out, noting that Alaska's reliance on aviation for
community access is unique. She stated that federal delegation
members have confirmed that such resolutions can be influential
and expressed hope that this effort would lead to tangible
solutions in the coming years.
1:43:03 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SJR 20.
1:43:26 PM
WILL DAY, Executive Director, Alaska Air Carriers Association,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified on the critical need for reliable
weather observation systems, also known as Automated Weather
Observation Systems (AWOS), throughout Alaska. He emphasized
their importance in providing air service to rural communities
beyond the road system, which rely on aviation or marine
transport for essential services. He highlighted that air
transport is crucial for emergency services, including medevac,
urgent medications, and essential supplies. He explained that
during poor weather, commercial air carriers must use instrument
flight rules, which require weather observations at both
departure and destination points. Without functioning weather
systems, flights cannot proceed, potentially delaying life-
saving transportation for medical emergencies such as heart
attacks. He stressed that a functioning AWOS can mean the
difference between life and death in such cases. He encouraged
others present to share specific examples illustrating the
critical importance of these systems.
1:46:22 PM
DAN KNESEK, Vice President, Commercial Operations at Grant
Aviation, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SJR 20. He
said he is also a member of the board of directors for the
Alaska Air Carriers Association. He expressed appreciation to
committee, on behalf of air carriers and general aviation in
Alaska, for hearing his testimony. He emphasized the critical
need for improved infrastructure. He shared his perspective as a
pilot with 13 years of experience in Alaska, contrasting the
state's lack of aviation infrastructure with the Lower 48. He
highlighted the challenges faced by air carriers and pilots in
ensuring essential services such as food, medicine, and medevac
operations reach remote communities.
1:47:54 PM
MR. KNESEK noted that when he first started advocating for
aviation infrastructure it was to get weather reporting in all
villages. Grant Aviation serves nearly 60 communities, yet only
about 30 percent have functional weather observation systems. He
detailed creative but unsafe workarounds, such as using radio
relays for weather reports, and explained that flying under
visual flight rules (VFR) with low ceilings and poor visibility
is common. He stressed the importance of instrument flight rules
(IFR) for safe travel, which require FAA-approved weather
observation systems, and called for the approval of alternative
technologies to improve safety and service.
1:50:11 PM
MR. KNESEK criticized the outdated infrastructure, including the
reliance on deteriorating copper wire communication systems for
weather stations, which frequently fail. He also highlighted the
broader impact on weather forecasting, as the National Weather
Service depends on data from these very few functioning stations
for accurate predictions. He concluded by emphasizing that
reliable weather observation systems are essential for safe
travel and the livelihoods of those living off the road system
in Alaska.
1:52:14 PM
GREG DYER, Director, Airspace Services, Woolpert, Denver,
Colorado, testified in support of SJR 20. He expressed support
for Mr. LaRue and statewide aviation efforts, noting his
involvement in an aviation infrastructure gap analysis for
Alaska. He stated his role in testifying is not so much to
advocate to the committee as much as it is to be a resource if
there are technical questions.
1:52:56 PM
MR. DYER described the weather information issue as complex,
involving aviators' needs, FAA regulations governing weather
data, and the hardware and communication systems that support
safe flight. He emphasized that reliability problems previously
mentioned are significant and directly impact community needs as
outlined by Mr. Knesek.
1:53:29 PM
MR. DYER stated that the topic has been addressed in the FAA
reauthorization bill passed by the House, with anticipation for
reconciliation with the Senate version. He highlighted the
opportunity to use current technology to reimagine regulations,
improve hardware performance, and better align these elements to
create a more supportable system for weather information and
pilot needs moving forward.
1:55:12 PM
DAN OWEN, Owner/Operator, Alaska Air Transit, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SJR 20. He said he has 20 years of
aviation experience, including work with a major airline and the
U.S. Navy. He shared concerns regarding the reliability of
Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) in Alaska. He cited
a recent charter operation for the Lower Yukon School District
to Scammon Bay and Hooper Bay, where neither AWOS functioned
properly. Scammon Bay's AWOS had been out of service since March
29, with a projected return date of May 25, while Hooper Bay's
AWOS was only accessible by phone. He highlighted connectivity
issues, as data is still transmitted through outdated copper
technology, though alternatives like cellular systems exist.
1:57:07 PM
MR. OWEN pointed to maintenance delays, with lengthy periods
before systems are repaired, and occasional accuracy problems,
particularly during extreme cold, where AWOS reports contradict
visible conditions. He outlined the impacts of these
deficiencies, including flight cancellations, lost revenue, and
reduced access to essential services like medical care and
infrastructure repairs. He emphasized the safety risks, as
pilots are often forced to use nearby airports for instrument
approaches and then navigate visually to the intended
destination in marginal weather, reducing safety margins. He
stressed the importance of addressing these issues to improve
aviation reliability and community access.
1:59:43 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on SJR 20.
2:00:02 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR held SJR 20 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR20-LEG-SESS-04-09-24.pdf |
SCRA 4/9/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 20 |
| SJR 20 Support - Propublica 2021.pdf |
SCRA 4/9/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 20 |