Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
01/17/2024 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| 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
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
January 17, 2024
3:32 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
INTRODUCTIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION OF RESOURCE TOPICS
-HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JULIA O' CONNOR, Staff
Senator Cathy Giessel
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of bills in committee
and their status.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:20 PM
CO-CHAIR CATHY GIESSEL called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Kawasaki, Claman, Dunbar, Kaufman,
Wielechowski, Co-Chair Bishop, and Co-Chair Giessel.
^Introductions and Committee Discussion of Resource Topics
INTRODUCTIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION OF RESOURCE TOPICS
3:33:04 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL opened with an overview of current bills in
committee and other suggested interests. Some of the current
legislative focuses include Senate Bill 49, a geothermal bill,
executive orders, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)
issues, as well as North Slope activity, Santos, gas extraction
and production numbers, mining, critical minerals, energy issues
with Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), and the state's zero
emissions goal.
3:34:24 PM
JULIA O' CONNOR, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel Giessel, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided an overview of
committee discussion of resource topics, with most having been
referred at the start of the new session. The tracker outlined
the status, bill number, short title, and highlighted other
components. She noted that there are currently five executive
orders that were referred to the committee and one hearing
request for HB 125.
3:35:44 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL said that these conversations provide a
refresher on last session's hearings. A request for a legal
analysis on each of the five executive orders was submitted. She
confirmed the 60-day timeline to take action on these orders or
they automatically take effect. She stated that some senators
have bills in committee that had not yet been submitted for
hearing requests and invited members to deliver those. Co-Chair
Giessel indicated her interest in informational hearings on
topics such as the status of Santos Energy Solutions' efforts
and its methods for reaching a zero emissions goal.
3:36:53 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said that there is a gas crisis in Alaska
resulting in gas running out by March of this year, but possibly
next year. Gas contracts will begin to end in 2028 and ENSTAR
Natural Gas' contracts will terminate in 2033. There is a long
lag time to bring other gas sources to the Cook Inlet region, so
this is a critical issue to focus on. He mentioned that it seems
like geo-political forces are aligned in a way that make a
natural gas pipeline a plausible project, and suggested hearing
ideas from other organizations such as the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority (AIDEA). Developing a permanent
fund is one possible approach to addressing this issue. He also
noted that fishing issues are a concern as king and chum salmon
populations are declining in Alaska and mandate attention, so
there is an opportunity to work toward resolutions.
3:38:37 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL referred back to the Cook Inlet gas issue and
acknowledged utility organizations presentations from last
year. She suggested that ENSTAR Natural Gas could provide an
update on pipeline ideas. She invited Senator Claman to share
his thoughts on this issue.
3:39:04 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said that he met with Hilcorp on the Cook Inlet
gas issue and was advised that the results of one well had
improved, thus the Homer Electric contract was extended by a
year. It would be helpful to hear from not only large buyers but
also smaller or potential producers of gas, such as BlueCrest
Energy, Inc. and Furie, to better understand the landscape of
this issue.
3:40:05 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI said that in addition to the previous items
discussed, agriculture, which only receives a miniscule portion
of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) budget,
necessitates attention. It is important to look toward this
topic as members continue to discuss ways to meet food security
goals and obtain an update on the Nenana-Totchaket (NenTot)
Agricultural Project. He relayed that discussions were held in
Fairbanks on the restoration of wood bison in the Yukon Flats
region. In line with the salmon crisis, including the pink
salmon fishery problem in the Cook Inlet region, recent studies
on hatchery fisheries have surfaced. He spoke to the potential
impact of hatchery fisheries in China and overseas that may
affect fisheries in Alaskan regions. Mining and critical
minerals also remain a priority for the country and state.
3:41:37 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL acknowledged a recent Cook Inlet study
conducted on the impact of hatchery fish.
3:41:48 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR shifted back to the gas issue and stated that the
Governor will introduce a measure on royalty relief. 200 million
dollars of grip funding along with transmission issues open the
door for discussions. He said he welcomes informational hearings
and legislative vehicles that touch on what Senators
Wielechowski and Claman said about the gas and transmission
issues. He stated that he anticipates a discussion with the
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation on state parks, which
are under the purview of the committee, but have rarely been
discussed.
3:43:34 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN added that the committee now has a clear idea of
priorities, but with the dynamic nature of issues including the
Cook Inlet Gas and grid updates, he supports having
informational updates to monitor these issues.
3:44:08 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL indicated that she hopes to see a transmission
grid bill introduced as the Resources Committee reviews energy
issues in lieu of a special energy committee. She invited
Senator Bishop to speak to upcoming agenda items.
3:44:35 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP stated that although the committee has a good
sense of direction it is important to review energy and
transmission issues. He noted the appeal of Iceland's affordable
energy avenues and selectiveness on adopting foreign business
development. He suggested the consideration of an Ambler Mining
District update on three projects when critical minerals and its
road development project are discussed. Discussions are being
held in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's Sachet decision on the
404 wetlands. With that decision, Alaska's wetlands will change,
so clear definitions of federal and state wetlands territory
through formal informational hearings are vital. He said he
anticipates ADFG updates, as well as an update on how Area M
restrictions affected Western Yukon chum returns. He stated that
although targets on return were not met, the increase is a step
in the right direction. He opined that technology should be
utilized by ADFG. He suggested that the state of Alaska could
use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct game surveys and
track moose, sheep, and caribou population data. University of
Alaska Fairbanks'(UAF) UAV could potentially remain stationed
round-the-clock.
3:48:31 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP said that permit reform is needed on the federal
level. There are several permit reform bills circulating in
Washington D.C. that target this issue. He and Co-Chair Giessel
had a conversation at an energy council meeting in Wyoming about
a large wind farm that intends to export electricity to
California. He stated that in order to have energy resources
Alaska needs permit reform. He stressed the 17-year lead time
needed to complete the project due to obstacles like the
Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA). The legislature anticipates two of Governor
Dunleavy's land bills coming forward to shift more land into
private ownership.
3:50:07 PM
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL acknowledged the agenda items as good
discussion topics. Some of these issues were referred to the
committee, such as the trapping cabins and fishery bills. She
thanked committee members for their ideas, which help inform
legislation.
3:51:12 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Giessel adjourned the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting at 3:51 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SRES Bill Referral as of 1.16.24.pdf |
SRES 1/17/2024 3:30:00 PM |