Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/09/2002 08:22 AM House CRA
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 9, 2002
8:22 a.m.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: DENALI COMMISSION
TAPES
02-21, SIDE A
CALL TO ORDER
Representative Carl Morgan, Co-Chair, convened the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting at
approximately 8:22 a.m.
PRESENT
Committee members present were Representatives Morgan, Meyer,
Murkowski, and Scalzi.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
JEFF STASER, Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission, presented an
overview of the commission's progress on bulk fuel tank
projects. He stated that the commission is closing in on
completion of the entire program. The next step is closure,
which may take five to eight years. Other projects are
connected to the bulk fuel storage and are less defined. Mr.
Staser reported that the Denali Commission has about 240
projects under contract at this time.
BILL ALLEN, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), commented on
USDA activities to improve efficiencies and effectiveness of
programs with state and federal agencies. The USDA's primary
goal is making programs and funding more accessible. State and
federal agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding
regarding activities in rural Alaska. Mr. Allen briefly
discussed the need for coordination of infrastructure
development in rural Alaska.
BOB POE, Executive Director, Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority (AIDEA) and Alaska Energy Association (AEA),
Department of Community & Economic Development, gave an overview
of AIDEA'S activities in rural Alaska. Mr. Poe discussed
sustainability and cost reduction.
REPRESENTATIVE SCALZI and MR. POE discussed written screening
analyses about diesel fuel, conservation, heat reduction, and
wind/hydro energy.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI commented that it would be nice to have
an energy plan for the entire state.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI asked Mr. Allen what the legislature
should do regarding implementation of sustainability
recommendations.
MR. ALLEN responded that alghough it is too early to comment at
this time, there will be recommendations next year. He offered
to make a presentation at that time.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI asked about the effects of the ultra-
low sulfur diesel fuel requirements.
MR. POE and MR. STASER indicated serious impacts are possible,
and Mr. Staser added the rule is an unfunded federal mandate.
MR. ALLEN commented on the new EPA [Environmental Protection
Agency] arsenic count for water systems in Alaska and stated the
rule will be expensive to implement and will come without any
funding.
MR. STASER encouraged all involved to focus on the issue of
environmental standards driving how project money is spent.
There was additional discussion among the committee and the
panel on funding of programs, priorities, planning, and related
topics.
There was additional comment and discussion on the ultra-low
diesel fuel requirements, the new designs for fuel storage, and
the next generation of fuels.
CO-CHAIR MORGAN asked Mr. Staser and Mr. Poe about the working
relationship between their respective agencies and was told the
results are speaking for themselves. That is, what gets done in
the rural communities is the evidence.
CO-CHAIR MORGAN asked about the working relationship between the
Alaska Village Electrical Cooperative (AVEC) [and the Denali
Commission].
MR. STASER and MR. POE both commented that all Denali Commission
partners are working well together and have an improved working
relationship over past years.
DON GRAVES, Unalaska, commented on a power generation project in
his community that uses fish oil. Mr. Graves commented on other
potential Denali Commission projects in the schools in Unalaska.
He offered further comments on fish oil use.
MR. POE also commented on the fish oil project in Unalaska.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CO-CHAIR MORGAN announced that at the next meeting, Thursday,
April 11, 2002, the committee would take up HB 500.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee was adjourned
at approximately 9:50 a.m.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded. A copy of the tape(s) may be
obtained by contacting the House Records Office at State
Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address) (907)
465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the
Twenty-Second Alaska State Legislature this information may be
obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at
(907) 465-3808.
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