New law means sustainable funds for spill prevention and response in Alaska

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Right: Governor Walker signs the law, witnessed by council staff member Steve Rothchild; the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Cathy Munoz of Juneau; and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Commissioner Larry Hartig. Photo courtesy of the office of Governor Walker.
Governor Walker signs the law, witnessed by council staff member Steve Rothchild; the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Cathy Munoz of Juneau; and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Commissioner Larry Hartig. Photo courtesy of the office of Governor Walker.

A new refined fuel products tax to fund Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Spill Prevention and Response division was signed into law by Governor Walker on June 27.

The division had been facing a significant funding shortfall for some time as previous funding came solely from a per-barrel charge on crude oil produced in the state. Declining oil production meant decreasing funds.

The council has long been pushing for a more sustainable and equitable funding mechanism for the division.

The new law places a one cent per-gallon tax on wholesale refined fuels, including gasoline and heating oil.

For more information, see the May issue of The Observer: State spill prevention and response division prevails in fight for funding

 

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