Bill > HB205

This bill proposes significant updates to Alaska's environmental regulations regarding oil and gas industry penalties and definitions of waste, with a focus on strengthening environmental protections and increasing financial consequences for pollution violations. The bill modifies the definition of "waste" in the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act to include gas release from pipelines, and substantially increases civil penalties for oil discharges across different environmental contexts. For example, penalties for oil entering anadromous streams would increase from $10 to $40 per gallon, with additional multipliers for gross negligence or intentional acts. The legislation also introduces a mechanism to automatically adjust these penalties every 10 years based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that fines remain meaningful over time. Additionally, the bill establishes new administrative penalty provisions allowing the state department to assess penalties between $500 and $10,000 for serious or repeated oil discharges, considering factors like environmental impact, compliance history, and potential health risks. The bill defines new terms like "produced water" and expands the scope of what constitutes a chargeable discharge, ultimately aiming to create stronger deterrents and accountability for environmental contamination in the oil and gas industry. The new regulations will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Justice

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB205