Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
05/08/2024 09:00 AM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR29 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 8, 2024
9:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Genevieve Mina
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jesse Sumner
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29
Urging federal support for the state's aviation fuel transition.
- MOVED HJR 29 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 29
SHORT TITLE: TRANSITION FROM LEADED AVIATION FUEL
SPONSOR(s): TRANSPORTATION
05/06/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/06/24 (H) TRA
05/07/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
05/07/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/08/24 (H) TRA AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:01:39 AM
CHAIR KEVIN MCCABE called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Representatives McKay,
Vance, Stutes, and McCabe were present at the call to order.
Representatives Mina and C. Johnson arrived as the meeting was
in progress.
HJR 29-TRANSITION FROM LEADED AVIATION FUEL
9:02:17 AM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29, Urging federal support for the
state's aviation fuel transition.
9:02:55 AM
}JULIE MORRIS, Staff* Representative Kevin McCabe* Alaska State
Legislature* Juneau, Alaska* Summarized HJR 29 on behalf of
Representative McCabe, prime sponsor.{ on behalf of
Representative McCabe, prime sponsor, summarized HJR 29 and
paraphrased the sponsor statement, which read as follows:
For some background, the Environmental Protection
Agency is mandating the cessation of leaded aviation
fuel by 2030, driven by the FAA's "Eliminate Aviation
Gasoline Lead Emissions" (EAGLE) program initiated in
2022.
Consequently, Alaska's Congressional Delegation
requested and was granted an extension until 2034.
However, recent amendments to the Federal Aviation
Administration Reauthorization Act reduced it in half;
this action poses a significant threat to Alaska's
economy and vital transportation infrastructure,
particularly within the general aviation sector. If
enacted, these changes could impose financial burdens
amounting to tens of millions of dollars on Alaskans
and potentially devastate both commercial and private
piston engine-powered aircraft operations.
Alaska's general aviation industry serves as a
lifeline for thousands of residents, facilitating the
transport of crucial supplies across the state's vast
and remote regions. However, the lack of approved
alternative fuels and an inadequate supply chain for
replacement parts exacerbates the situation. Many
small piston engine aircraft could face costs of up to
$100,000 per unit, rendering them economically
unfeasible and jeopardizing the existence of general
aviation in Alaska.
It is imperative that policymakers acknowledge the
grave consequences of these amendments and take
proactive measures to safeguard the interests of
Alaskans and the essential services provided by the
general aviation sector. Failure to do so could lead
to irreparable harm to Alaska's economy and severe
disruptions to essential transportation networks,
affecting countless individuals statewide.
In conclusion, this Resolution underscores our
commitment to protecting the life, safety, well-being
and indeed the existence of Alaskans.
Your support for this resolution is greatly
appreciated.
9:04:24 AM
CHAIR MCCABE invited questions from committee members.
9:04:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA questioned the surrounding contents of the
resolution and whether there was a timeline related to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CHAIR MCCABE responded that the Senate committee on the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization was currently
meeting, and he reiterated that the 2030 deadline had been
granted a four-year extension.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA stated that she appreciated the focus on the
burden on rural communities where transitioning to unleaded gas
would have more of an impact. She asked Chair McCabe whether he
was aware if the delegation was working on making those
alternatives more cost neutral.
CHAIR MCCABE said that 100 low lead ("LL") was the status quo,
and two fuels have been approved. He explained that to date, 35
airports nationwide have embraced the fuel, but the frustration
lies with the FAA ignoring Alaska, he opined, and the state does
not have a viable alternative. The FAA and manufacturers must
"figure this out," he said, and he stressed the time it could
take for the issue to be solved.
9:09:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES pointed out that Senator Dan Sullivan
addressed the issue on a YouTube video, which she recommended.
CHAIR MCCABE commented that with the greatest number of pilots
and aircraft in the U.S., and dependency on pilots and aviation,
the FAA should be in Alaska talking about the issues.
9:10:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE related that her district is greatly
impacted and relied strongly on air transit. She gave examples
of statewide impacts and said that she appreciated the proposed
legislation.
CHAIR MCCABE agreed and provided further examples such as
hauling fuel to a village and costs going up exponentially. He
noted that the other body had a companion resolution and is
pushing to get it heard and into Senator Sullivan's hands.
9:13:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA offered her belief that a transition made
sense but noted the importance of transitioning to lead and the
exposure especially to kids. She stressed that the body needed
to know more about this correlation. She noted the Inflation
Reduction Act as well as the need for more federal support.
CHAIR MCCABE gave examples of aircraft and that all must be
tested with the fuel and each type of engine. He emphasized
that the resolution asked the FAA for another four years for
Alaska and for the FAA to pay more attention to Alaska in terms
of aviation and fuel.
9:17:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to report HJR 29 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HJR 29 was reported out of the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
9:18:52 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:19
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR29 VerB Sponsor Statement 5.6.24.pdf |
HTRA 5/8/2024 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 29 |
| HJR029 Ver A 5.6.24.pdf |
HTRA 5/8/2024 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 29 |
| HJR 29 Ver A Fiscal Note LEG 5.7.24.pdf |
HTRA 5/8/2024 9:00:00 AM STRA 5/11/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HJR 29 |