Petition of consistency determinations passes Legislature

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The House concurred May 6 with Senate amendments to House Bill 439, which removes “the opportunity to petition for review of proposed or final consistency determinations under the Alaska coastal zone management program.”

Rep. Scott Ogan, R-Palmer, chair of the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas, the bill sponsor, presented the Senate changes on his first day back after he suffered a heart attack March 16. Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, addressed some of the Senate changes and also recommended passage.

All members present, 39 of 40, voted in favor of passage.

The bill has had the support of the administration and even of those who have opposed development projects in the state.

The petition right removed by the law only allowed the Alaska Coastal Policy Council to decide if a petitioner’s comments on a proposed or final consistency determination had been fairly considered. There had been no successful challenges to projects under the petition right.

A petition may still be filed challenging whether a district coastal management plan is being implemented.

The bill is awaiting transmittal to the governor’s office and is expected to be signed.