In January 2023, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation updated the regulations governing the state’s oil spill prevention and response contingency plans. The new plans went into effect on February 5, 2023. Some improvements cleared up confusing and repetitive language. For example, two similar sections, contingency plan content requirements and approval criteria, were combined into … Read more
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation recently proposed changes to the regulations that govern how oil spills are prevented and cleaned up in Alaska. These changes were open for public comment from November 2021 through January 2022.
During its review, the Council noted positive changes, including:
Update: Deadline has passed. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is proposing changes to regulations that protect Prince William Sound. The comment period began on November 1, 2021 and will end January 31, 2022. Public input on these changes will be critical. The Council is reviewing the changes and will be sharing information on … Read more
Before the state’s oil spill regulations are modified, any proposed changes will undergo an extended public comment period, according to Jason Brune, commissioner for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Beginning last fall, the department asked the public for input on Alaska’s statutes and regulations covering oil spill prevention and response.
Brune joined the Council during a September meeting of the Board of Directors to discuss potential changes from these comments. The Council was encouraged to hear a promise from the commissioner that any proposed changes will be given more than the required 30-day public comment period.