CSHCR 7(RES)-COOK INLET OIL & GAS PLATFORM ABANDONMENT    CHAIR THOMAS WAGONER announced CSHCR 7(RES) to be up for consideration. REPRESENTATIVE KURT OLSON, sponsor, explained that currently most of the platforms are at least 40 years old and four of the 16 have been lighthoused already. During a recent Resources meeting in Kenai, industry representatives showed an interest in having regulations reviewed and updated to define abandonment requirements and their ultimate liability. In 1996 the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) proposed implementation of revised regulations, but the attorney general decided the issue fell under the purview of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rather than the AOGCC. Defined regulations would also be of value to independent companies that will assume operations of several of these platforms. Environmental groups, industry, DNR, DEC and AOGCC and several federal agencies are interested in the review that would take place. 3:40:41 PM SENATOR DYSON asked if there was any major criticism of his resolution. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON replied no. CHAIR WAGONER commented that oil companies endorse this resolution because they want to know what their liability is in removing platforms and negotiating with independents. 3:41:21 PM At ease 3:44:27 PM SENATOR BEN STEVENS joined the committee. 3:44:49 PM SENATOR DYSON moved to pass CSHCR 7(RES) from committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note. There were no objections and it was so ordered.