DEC proposes to amend the regulations for proof of financial responsibility that must be provided to DEC by persons who operate certain oil facilities and vessels. AS 46.04.045 requires the dollar amounts to be reviewed and adjusted every three years.

DEC proposes to adopt regulation changes at 18 AAC 75.235 and 18 AAC 75.270 to adjust the dollar amounts of proof of financial responsibility in accordance with changes to the Anchorage Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Anchorage CPI for the second half of 2016 was published January 2017, and these increased dollar amounts correspond with the updated Anchorage CPI.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Brian Doyle, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, PO Box 111800, Juneau, AK 99811-1800, by facsimile at (907) 465-5262 or by electronic mail at dec.cpr@alaska.gov.  Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System, by accessing this notice on the system and using the "comment" link.  The comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on May 26, 2017.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to DEC by sending in questions by electronic mail at dec.cpr@alaska.gov or by sending the questions to Brian Doyle, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, PO Box 111800, Juneau, AK 99811-1800. The written questions must be received by May 16, 2017, which is 10 days before the end of the public comment period. DEC will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and response available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and  http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/regulation_projects/index.htm. DEC may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Natalie Wolfe at 907-269-0291, Natalie.Wolfe@alaska.gov or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 no later than May 19, 2017, which is 7 days before the end of the public comment period to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Brian Doyle at the address or email above or by calling 907-465-5346.

After the public comment period ends, DEC will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory authority: AS 46.03.020; AS 46.04.045; AS 46.04.070
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 46.04.040; AS 46.04.055
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.

Date:   April 21, 2017
Anchorage, Alaska

/s/

Larry Hartig, Commissioner