HJR 12-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION  1:03:27 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12, Supporting the completion of the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure. 1:03:45 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO, as prime sponsor, presented HJR 12. He offered his sponsor statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Completing the Northern Rail Extension to Fort Greely and Delta Junction would support Military operations, mining, and agricultural in the Interior of Alaska. In the Act of 1914, the United States Congress authorized the construction of a railroad in Alaska. The railroad was to connect one or more open harbors in Alaska, with the Interior of Alaska, to develop agricultural and mineral resources of Alaska, and the settlement of people on public lands therein, to provide transportation of fuels for the Military, transporting troops, arms, munitions, the mail, and other governmental and public uses. Unfortunately, that dream was never realized. The Alaska Railroad Transfer Act (ARTA) of 1983, the U.S. Congress again recognized the importance of the railroad in providing freight and passenger rail service to Alaska. Congress also found that continuation of services and the expansion of those services are necessary to achieve Federal, State, and private objectives. The State's continued operation together with expansion of the railroad constitutes an appropriate public use of the rail system. Once again, the dream of expansion was unrealized. Finally, in 2013, almost one hundred years later, the Northern rail expansion was proposed by Alaska Railroad in conjunction with the Department of Defense, the four phased plan was completed. Phase one, Crossing the Tanana River, was completed. The remaining three phases need to be accomplished before we can realize completion of the Northern rail expansion. With the expansion of the Fort Greely missile complex and expanded training ranges, increased agriculture in Delta Junction, and increased mining operations in the area. This resolution supports critical infrastructure development, national security, economic development, and natural resource development in the State of Alaska. The Northern Rail Extension project would provide essential freight and passenger service to support transportation and mobility needs of the region. This is a project long overdue for Alaska and I ask for your support for this resolution. 1:06:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO cited AS 42.40.550, which read as follows: Sec. 42.40.550. Extension of railroad to Fort Greely. The corporation may acquire a transportation corridor between the existing railroad corridor and Fort Greely, Alaska, and construct a rail line within the corridor to provide rail service to the Fort Greely area and points between. The transportation corridor may be designated for a use identified under AS 42.40.350(b) and other transportation and utility uses. The corporation may also acquire land along the corridor for use as rail land that can be developed for terminal, station, and maintenance facilities, switching yards, and any other purposes associated with the railroad utility corridor. 1:07:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO stated that the Act of 1914 authorized the U.S. President to construct a thousand miles of rail line. He estimated that Alaska currently has 467 miles of rail line. He stated that his request "has a lot to do with national security." He said that the expansion of infrastructure in Ft. Greely is significant. 1:08:36 PM CO-CHAIR STUTES asked what the distance is between Ft. Greely and the railway's current end. 1:08:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO answered that it is about 70 miles. He said the railway extends all the way to Eielson Air Force Base from Fairbanks. A bridge was built across the Tanana River about four years ago, at an approximate cost of $184 million. In response to a follow-up question, he said an environmental impact statement (EIS) process has been done, and a route has been identified. Phase one is complete, which leaves phases two-four. 1:10:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked how much the railroad between Fairbanks and Eielson Air Force Base is being used currently. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO offered his understanding that coal trains travel the route twice a week. Also, jet fuel is transported to Eielson Air Force Base. In response to follow-up questions from Representative Claman, he said the estimated cost per mile to lay tracks can range from $3-$8 million. He affirmed that the state currently does not have the funds; HJR 12 is request to the federal government, particular to the Department of Defense (DoD). In regard to a proposed $17 billion project to lay rail from the tar sands in Canada to Alaska, he said he believes that would just be a connection to wherever the railway [in Alaska] stopped in Delta. He said he thinks the $17 billion estimate may be to run the tracks all the way to Eielson Air Force Base; therefore, "if this was actually put in there," that amount may be less. 1:13:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND stated that she traveled to Delta last summer with Representatives Talerico, Tarr, and Rauscher and Senator Shower on the first legislative farm tour since 1984. She said that experience showed her that "they could sure use an alternative form of transportation." She said she would not wish driving to Southcentral Alaska on the Richardson Highway on a regular basis on anyone. She said, "I absolutely saw the need ... for this." She expressed disbelief regarding the cost of the Canada rail proposed, and she asked if 80 miles would be the total through all phases of the proposed northern rail extension and at a cost of about $600 million. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO said it would be about $640 million. He mentioned a map [included in the committee packet], and he offered his understanding that the location of the right-of-way was moved to the other side of the Tanana River [to avoid mountains]. REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND observed that the route through Canada, the "A2A" line, would have 200 of its 1,700 miles in Alaska; therefore, she concluded that [the northern rail extension] would take care of about 80 miles of those 200 miles. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that is correct. REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND stated, "I can be supportive of this." 1:16:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY inquired as to the extent of communication with property owners of the land and other interested parties. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO responded that most of the extension is on a military reserve in Tanana Flats; one area of private property is near Delta Junction and is owned by Ahtna, Incorporated; and most of the rest of the property is on government-owned land. In response to a follow-up question, he said the Alaska Railroad has spoken previously with representatives of Ahtna, Incorporated, and those discussions will continue. 1:18:00 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL asked a series of questions about water crossings. He remarked that if the federal government wanted to put in "structural money," it would "tie in nicely to the A2A project." He also asked how missile components are brought to Ft. Greely. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that the tracks go over the newly constructed bridge. He offered his understanding that "the bridge would cross the Delta River." 1:19:27 PM THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative David Talerico, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Talerico, prime sponsor of HJR 12, explained that missiles are brought up by barge, then taken to Fairbanks by rail, then shipped by truck to Ft. Greely, where they are reassembled. The addition of the northern extension of the rail would shave off a couple days in that shipping process. 1:20:01 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL opened public testimony on HJR 12. 1:20:35 PM The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:20 p.m. 1:20:59 PM VIKKI JO KENNEDY opined that because the sole purpose of the northern extension of the train will be for federal use, the federal government - not Alaska - should pay the full cost. She said Alaska is broke. She said the federal government is militarizing Alaska and owns 65 percent of the land in Alaska. She reemphasized that the federal government needs to pay for all of it, and she stated, "I'm not happy about any of it." She questioned when the EIS was done. 1:24:07 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL closed public testimony on HJR 12. CO-CHAIR WOOL noted that HJR 12 had a zero fiscal note. He said, "It is all federal money, as proposed." 1:24:22 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that HJR 12 was held over.