Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/22/1993 08:00 AM House RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 22, 1993
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Williams, Chairman
Representative Con Bunde
Representative Pat Carney
Representative John Davies
Representative Joe Green
Representative Jeannette James
Representative David Finkelstein
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bill Hudson, Vice Chairman
Representative Eldon Mulder
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Confirmation Hearings:
Big Game Commercial Services Board:
Paul Johnson
Glen Fredericks
Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission:
David Johnston
WITNESS REGISTER
Paul Johnson
P.O. Box 22
Elfin Cove, Alaska 99825
Phone: 239-2211
Position Statement: Provided information and answered
questions related to his nomination to
the Big Game Commercial Services Board
Glenn W. Fredericks
1400 Virginia Court
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
Phone: 274-2194
Position Statement: Provided information and answered
questions related to his nomination to
the Big Game Commercial Services Board
David W. Johnston
320 Mariner Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99515
Phone: 279-1433
Position Statement: Provided information and answered
questions related to his nomination to
the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation
Commission
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-22, SIDE A
Number 000
The House Resources Committee was called to order by
Chairman Bill Williams at 8:05 a.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Williams, Carney, Davies,
Green, and James. Members absent at the call to order were
Representatives Hudson, Bunde, Finkelstein, and Mulder.
CHAIRMAN BILL WILLIAMS announced the meeting was being
teleconferenced to Anchorage, with the purpose of
considering the confirmation of appointees to the Big Game
Commercial Services Board and the Alaska Oil and Gas
Conservation Commission. The first appointee for
consideration was Paul Johnson, appointee to the Big Game
Commercial Services Board.
Number 040
PAUL JOHNSON, NOMINEE, BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD
(BGCSB), introduced himself and briefly described his
activities on the BGCSB, which regulates the activities of
big game guides. He noted he was one of two members on the
BGCSB who were also guides.
Number 065
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if any committee members had
questions for Mr. Johnson. There were none. He then asked
if there was a motion for approval of the confirmation.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES made the MOTION to APPROVE the
confirmation of Paul Johnson to the BGCSB.
Number 074
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked members to indicate if they were in
favor of the motion. Members present UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to
APPROVE the confirmation.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the next candidate for
confirmation, Glenn Fredericks.
Number 092
GLENN FREDERICKS, NOMINEE, BGCSB, testified by
teleconference from Anchorage, telling the committee of his
background in Native Corporation management, and his
representation of the Kuskokwim area. He said he had been
appointed to the BGCSB six months ago.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted Representative Bunde had joined the
meeting. He then asked if there were any questions for Mr.
Fredericks. Hearing none, he asked the committee members if
there was a motion.
Number 120
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES made the MOTION to APPROVE the
confirmation of Glenn Fredericks to the BGCSB.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked members to indicate their vote on
the motion. Without opposition, the confirmation was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS introduced David Johnston.
Number 140
DAVID JOHNSTON, NOMINEE, ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION
COMMISSION (AOGCC), testified via teleconference from
Anchorage. He advised that he was first appointed to the
AOGCC in January, 1989, by former Governor Steve Cowper. In
November, 1990, he reported, he was appointed chairman of
the AOGCC, and has since been reappointed to a second term
by Governor Hickel. He reported that prior to his
appointment to the AOGCC, he worked in the Division of Oil
and Gas at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
MR. JOHNSTON told the committee he has a master's degree in
engineering and science management from the University of
Alaska, and a bachelor's in geology from Montana State
University. He then described the activities of the AOGCC,
and said when he was originally appointed it was with the
goal of revitalizing the AOGCC. The cornerstone of the
AOGCC, he reported, was a computerized reservoir
surveillance system for management of reservoirs. He said
this system allowed detailed production and decline
information. Expansion of the field inspection program had
also been a major accomplishment of the commissioner during
his tenure, he testified.
MR. JOHNSTON told the committee the AOGCC has taken on a
more outward focus than it previously had. He said the
emphasis has been on streamlining administration and on
cooperation with other agencies, such as the Department of
Environmental Conservation, in relation to naturally
occurring radioactive material. He also noted the AOGCC has
become active nationally in oil and gas conservation issues.
Number 245
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN asked Mr. Johnston to comment on
the AOGCC's powers of enforcement over the oil and gas
industry, particularly in light of the AOGCC's funding
status through oil industry revenues.
Number 269
MR. JOHNSTON responded that the AOGCC was an independent
agency, and not part of the DNR as some parties have
supposed. He pointed out the state's landowner and
regulatory enforcement roles were separate, and stressed the
need for adequate funding for the AOGCC to meet its
statutory obligations.
Number 295
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted Representative Finkelstein had
joined the meeting.
Number 297
REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE asked Mr. Johnston to define the
AOGCC's relationship with the oil industry.
MR. JOHNSTON responded that there was an excellent
relationship, and that the AOGCC took its statutory role
seriously, and made strong efforts to protect the state's
interests. He said the AOGCC found the best approach has
been to work with industry to resolve problems and not to
put up obstacles to problem resolution.
Number 320
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES returned to the concern about under-
funding, and asked Mr. Johnston to comment on specific areas
of concern.
Number 326
MR. JOHNSTON referred to the state's inspection program, and
its expansion from three to five inspectors. The biggest
concern, he said, was with the AOGCC's capability to look at
management of reservoirs while the AOGCC's staff was limited
to one engineer to oversee management of all reservoirs in
the state. He compared the staffing to that in the Division
of Oil and Gas pre-sale area.
Number 336
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES asked what actions were the state
authorized to take if resources were found to be managed
improperly.
Number 350
MR. JOHNSTON told the committee the AOGCC had the powers to
hold public hearings, subpoena records, and levy penalties
against industry. He stressed, however, that the AOGCC's
practice was to work with industry to address potential
problems before they reached the stage where violations
needed to be penalized.
Number 398
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS entertained further questions for Mr.
Johnston. Hearing none, he asked committee members if
anyone would like to put a motion before the committee.
Number 405
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES MOVED that the committee APPROVE the
reappointment of David Johnston to the AOGCC.
Number 410
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked members to vote in favor of or in
opposition to the motion. Without opposition, the MOTION
CARRIED and Mr. Johnston's confirmation was approved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Number 420
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the committee would next meet on
Wednesday, February 24, 1993 at 8:00 a.m. to hear HB 133,
related to fisheries' taxes.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the House
Resources Committee, Chairman Williams adjourned the meeting
at 8:25 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|