NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON BONDING
IN THE REGULATIONS OF ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission proposes to adopt regulation changes in 20 AAC 25.025 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Bonding, including the following:
20 AAC 25.025 is proposed to be amended to allow a reduction in the requisite bond amount if an operator demonstrates that it has a bond in place with the landowner dedicated exclusively to the plugging and abandonment of a well or wells. In addition, the proposed change increases the number of annual installments which an operator must pay from 4 years to 7 years.
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 Jody Colombie at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Additionally, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 276-7542 and by electronic mail at aogcc.customer.svc@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 not later than 4:30 p.m. on September 10, 2020.
The hearing is scheduled for September 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at 333 W. 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501. The COVID-19 virus may necessitate that the hearing be held telephonically. Those desiring to participate or be present at the hearing should check with AOGCC after August 25, 2020 to ascertain if the hearing will be telephonic. If the hearing is telephonic, on the day of the hearing, those desiring to be present or participate should call 1-800-315-6338 and, when instructed to do so, enter the code 14331. Because the hearing will start at 10:00 a.m., the phone lines will be available starting at 9:45 a.m. Depending on call volume, those calling in may need to make repeated attempts before getting through.
Written comments also may be submitted at the September 1, 2020 hearing. The hearing is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and might be extended to accommodate those present before 10:30 a.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Jody Colombie at jody.colombie@alaska.gov or mailing 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 or calling (907) 793-1221 not later than August 25, 2020 to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Jody Colombie at the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 or calling (907) 793-1221.
After the public comment period ends, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission may 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 regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 31.05.030
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 31.05.030
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added or removed from the list, send a request to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission at jody.colombie@alaska.gov, giving your name, and either your email address or mailing address, as you prefer receiving notices.
Date: August 4, 2020___________
//signature on file//
Jeremy M. Price, Chair, Commissioner
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
ADDITIONAL REGULATION NOTICE INFORMATION
(AS 44.62.190(g))
1. Adopting agency: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
2. General subject of regulation: Bonding
3. Citation of regulation (may be grouped): 20 AAC.25.025
4. Department of Law file number, if any:
5. Reason for the proposed action:
( ) Compliance with federal law
( ) Compliance with new or changed state statute
( ) Compliance with court order
( ) Development of program standards
(X) Other (identify): Development of Program.
6. Appropriation/Allocation: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission/Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
7. Cost of implementation to the state agency and available funding (in thousands of dollars):
Initial Year Subsequent
FY2021 Years
Operating Cost $0 $0
Capital Cost $0 $0
1002 Federal receipts $0 $0
1003 General fund match $0 $0
1004 General fund $0 $0
1005 General fund/
program $0 $0
Other (identify) $0 $0
8. The name of the contact person for the regulation:
Name: Jody Colombie
Title: Special Assistant to the Commission
Address: 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
Telephone: (907) 793-1221
E-mail address: jody.colombie@alaska.gov
9. The origin of the proposed action:
__X___ Staff of state agency
_____ Federal government
_____ General public
_____ Petition for regulation change
_____ Other (identify)
10. Date: 8/4/2020 Prepared by: //signature on file//
Name: Jody Colombie
Title: Special Assistant to the Commission
Telephone: (907) 793-1221