State denies reconsideration of Bristol Bay basin exploration license

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has set a hearing date of March 21 to hear comments on regulations proposed for calculating regulatory cost charges and an amendment to existing regulations to allow for temporary oral approval of certain drilling operations involving a new bottom-hole location. The meeting will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the commission's offices at 3001 Porcupine Dr. in Anchorage, and will be extended beyond 11 a.m. if necessary to accommodate those present before 10 a.m. who do not have an opportunity to testify. Copies of the proposed regulations may be obtained from the commission's offices, or on its website at: http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/ogc/homeogc.htm The commission discussed the proposed regulations at public meetings in early February. This regulatory cost charge method of funding the commission was adopted by the Legislature last year and the legislation allowed the commission to determine the first year's regulatory cost charge without benefit of regulations. The commission needs to have regulations in place by the beginning of the fiscal year.