"An Act relating to limitations on coal leases."

HB 283 makes a very important change to existing statute for the coal industry, and places Alaska on par with other western states. While most states have a difficult time allocating thousand of acres for coal leases, the federal government has opened the door for expansion on their lands.

Essentially, this puts Alaska at a disadvantage in coal exploration, because of the state's limitation. By increasing the amount of state acreage available for coal leases, the industry has an opportunity to compete and the state stands to gain revenue from the leases.

Passage of HB 283 will also send a message to companies interested in the coal potentials in Alaska to have access through the lease process, comparable to other states without a requirement to depend on federal involvement.

Last Updated: 04-30-03

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