Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
01/18/2023 04:00 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Introductions and Committee Discussion of Resource Topics | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
January 18, 2023
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Click Bishop, Co-Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel, Co-Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski, Vice Chair
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Senator Matt Claman
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION OF RESOURCE TOPICS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
No witnesses to report
ACTION NARRATIVE
4:00:02 PM
CO-CHAIR CATHY GIESSEL called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Kawasaki, Claman, Kaufman, Wielechowski,
Dunbar, Co-Chair Bishop and Co-Chair Geissel.
^Introductions and Committee Discussion of Resource Topics
INTRODUCTIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION OF RESOURCE TOPICS
4:02:06 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL pointed to the references available to the
committee for the purpose of education and orientation to
current topics relevant to the committee's focus on resources in
Alaska. She asked the members to introduce themselves to the
public and discuss their interests in state resources. The
intention is to inform Co-Chair Bishop and herself about the
items and legislation the committee might want to prioritize.
4:02:39 PM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, District K, introduced himself and
stated that he had served on the Senate Resources Committee for
nearly a decade. He described his interests in Alaska's
resources, specifically fisheries including dip netting, sport
fishing and commercial fishing. He also highlighted oil taxes
and development and his support for deriving the maximum value
for the resource. He expressed interest in carbon sequestration,
carbon offset, and carbon credits. He favors resource plans that
increase state revenue while protecting Alaska's industries and
economy.
4:04:29 PM
SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, District H, introduced himself and
expressed his interest in sitting on the Senate Resources
Committee. He spoke about his legal experience with the
fisheries industry where he became more acquainted with aspects
of the commercial fishing industry. He mentioned additional
experience over the last decade working with a small timber
company as an in-house lawyer. His initial introduction to
Alaska was as an employee in a remote mining camp. He pointed to
the critical role the oil industry plays in the current economy
and his concern for a continued strong resource development
presence.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL acknowledged the legal backgrounds of Senator
Claman and Wielechowski, which will enrich the committee
conversations.
4:06:42 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P, introduced himself and
mentioned his extensive past service on both the House and
Senate Resources Committees. He highlighted the City of
Fairbanks, which was incorporated as a mining town. He reminded
the committee about the huge natural gas reserves on the North
Slope as well as the highly important Prudhoe Bay oil
development. He wishes to preserve Alaska's fisheries to ensure
that citizens and commercial fishers continue to yield a healthy
resource. He spoke about timber harvesting in his district and
highlighted the committee's responsibility to work toward the
preservation of clean water and air.
4:09:12 PM
SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, District F, introduced himself and
explained his history with various capital projects related to
resource development in the state. He expressed interest in the
responsible development of resources. He sought an optimal
interface between government and industry. His professional
history included experience with quality, risk, and project
management.
4:10:50 PM
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, District J, introduced himself and
agreed with the sentiments the committee members had expressed.
He voiced support for the responsible development of oil and
gas. He stated that while he represents a very densely populated
Alaskan district, he grew up in rural Alaska. He mentioned his
experience with the mining and fishery industries. He expressed
concern about the dwindling natural gas supply in Cook Inlet,
especially as it relates to serving the needs of the
Municipality of Anchorage. He highlighted alternative energy and
its potential to deliver more affordable energy in both rural
and urban areas of the state. He spoke about his experience
working to restore the Eklutna River fishery that had been
destroyed.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL reminded the committee that Senator Dunbar also
has a legal background.
SENATOR DUNBAR noted that he worked primarily in military law as
a judge advocate.
4:13:21 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP, District R, introduced himself and expressed
his appreciation for the committee members. He noted Senator
Wielechowski's interest in the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) and public cabin use. He relayed that he has served on the
Resources Committee since his election to the Senate. He
highlighted his interest in mining and wolf trapping. He
mentioned the stringent permitting system in Alaska and stated
he supports this as long as it is fair and equitable across all
people and disciplines. He hopes to work with the mining
industry to expand Rare Earth Element (REE) exploration in this
state, which is under-explored. He highlighted the importance of
working toward more affordable energy for all Alaskans and
thoroughly vetting the Governor's proposal regarding carbon
sequestration and carbon credits. He mentioned fisheries and his
large district's challenges with subsistence fishing. He looks
forward to robust committee discussions about the importance of
culture and subsistence fishing.
4:19:39 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL, District E, introduced herself and highlighted
her experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Nurse
Practitioner (ANP). She detailed her history with the
legislature and her desire to serve on the Resources Committee
despite having a professional history in health care. She
mentioned an article from a medical journal titled "Inequities
in Life Expectancy Among US Counties 1980-2014" that was in the
packets. She made the connection in Alaska between quality of
life, increased life expectancy, and natural resource
development. She noted that the article identified possible
drivers of this connection including: jobs, clean water,
wastewater removal, access to education, income, and increase in
income. She highlighted that all of these areas benefitted
greatly from the development of natural resources in Alaska.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL recalled her parents debating the issue of
statehood in Alaska. Her father was a pilot and she was able to
ride along to rural villages and witness the profound poverty in
the subsistence lifestyle. She pointed out the beneficial
changes she'd seen with schools and healthcare in small rural
villages. She said she appreciated the discussion about
fisheries and the relationship to food security for Alaskans.
She reminded the committee that agriculture also falls under the
committee's purview and said she has a keen interest in its
development. She referred to the Resources Committee as most
important, second only to the Finance Committee.
4:26:17 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL stated that the University of Alaska finally
received its land acquisition, and she hopes the committee will
hear the important details in future meetings.
CO-CHAIR BISHOP talked about an upcoming presentation from the
Idaho National Laboratory related to a discussion about nuclear
power. He stated that Idaho National Laboratory certifies all
new nuclear generation technology prior to commercial
production.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL advised the committee about a presentation from
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) about the Yukon
River fisheries.
CO-CHAIR BISHOP added that the ADF&G presentation would also
include information about the Kuskokwim River.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL referred to an earlier presentation from the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the Senate Finance
Committee. She highlighted the discussion about oil assets on
the North Slope. She would like the department to provide
detailed information about those assets. She pointed out that
natural gas contracts are limited, and prepared the committee
for a DNR presentation about Cook Inlet's resources. She asked
the committee for requests related to upcoming hearings and
planned presentations.
SENATOR CLAMAN requested a better understanding from DNR about
state-owned timber resources, particularly related to carbon
credits.
4:30:23 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL expressed appreciation for Senator Dunbar's
earlier comment about the black spruce and his experience as a
fire fighter.
SENATOR DUNBAR asked if she had a sense for when the Governor's
legislation on carbon sequestration would be introduced.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL said she did not have a sense at this time.
SENATOR DUNBAR inquired about trail projects and potential
presentations for the sake of committee education.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL said she appreciated the discussion and
suggestions for future presentations.
4:32:23 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN discussed carbon sequestration and his interest
in the topic. He wondered about managing under-explored land and
the risk that legislative conservation efforts might unknowingly
limit resource extraction.
VICE-CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI expressed curiosity about the natural
gas pipeline discussed in previous legislative sessions. He
highlighted the state's opportunities for future exploration. He
also saw value in learning about REE and the underutilized
opportunities.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL discussed a project that involved exporting
natural gas directly off the North Slope. She stressed her
interest in agriculture and the Division of Agriculture in DNR.
She wished to know more about the land near Nenana that the
Governor designated as agricultural.
4:35:09 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP voiced appreciation for the committee members
and their areas of professional expertise. He expressed
excitement about the work the committee will accomplish this
session.
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL concluded the preliminary discussion about
natural resources in Alaska.
4:37:29 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Giessel adjourned the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting at 4:37 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| ANEW Carbon Offset Opportunity Evaluation.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| NCSL_WOTUS.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| JAMA_Life Expectancy.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| 2023 AMA State Issues of Concern.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| ADN, Ming News Nother, & Science_News Articles.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| Dermotcole_Interior Gas Utility looks to North Slope.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| Forest Offsets Policy Briefing Paper SAF.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |
|
| USDA Carbon Sequestration 2014 Study.pdf |
SRES 1/18/2023 4:00:00 PM |