News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Bill Clarifies Alaska Air Quality Program

For Immediate Release: April 16, 1998 Contact: Senator Loren Leman, at (907) 465-2095.

Juneau -- The House today passed legislation amending Alaska's air quality statutes for non-road engines. Senate Bill 299 sponsored by Senator Loren Leman (R-Anchorage), ensures high air quality standards in Alaska, while guarding against unnecessary, duplicative permit requirements. SB 299 passed by a vote of 30-10.

SB 299 allows the Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate non-road engines provided it follows current law and shows pollution is a problem that impacts human health or the environment.

Stationary sources of emissions such as power plants and refineries can be modified to reduce pollution with taller stacks and scrubbers. Mobile sources include non-road engines such as cranes, bulldozers, drilling rigs and off-road vehicles. Non-road and road engines are already regulated by the EPA when manufactured and must meet stringent EPA emission standards.

According to Leman, the problem with current state practices is that the ADEC treats mobile and stationary sources alike, even though state statutes require the Department to consider the mobility of emission sources when regulating emissions.

"Treating mobile and stationary sources alike results in additional, unnecessary regulations that end up costing the state and Alaska businesses administrative time and money. Non-road engines are already regulated at the factory," Leman said.

Representative Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks) commented "when ADEC seeks to add permit requirements for North Slope drilling rigs, beyond those allowed by state law, they are taking us down a slippery slope. It may start with regulations on non-road drilling rigs on the North Slope, but will expand to mining drill rigs, then water well drilling rigs, off-road equipment, bulldozers, generators, and eventually lawnmowers," said Kelly.

"We need to adopt a clear standard that everyone understands. The EPA standard has worked in 30 other states and will work well in Alaska," Leman said. "In no other state is there a question about EPA's intent for mobile sources."

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