Murkowski signs permitting bills

In early June, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski signed two bills into law intended to streamline the permitting process for oil and gas development.

Senate Bill 103, introduced at the request of the governor, gives the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission the authority to regulate all underground injection wells used in the oil and gas industry. Currently, the state regulates Class II wells while the EPA regulates Class I wells.

“This change will result in quicker action on permit applications and create a single, uniform process for regulating underground injection to improve efficiency and reduce confusion in the permitting process,” the governor’s office said in a press release.

Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Senate Resources Committee, is part of the Murkowski administration’s efforts to streamline permitting. The bill updates state statutes to mirror federal definitions relating to air quality permits, making it easier to issue and enforce air permit compliance more effectively, Murkowski’s office said.

—Petroleum News