This bill amends various sections of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act to enhance penalties for oil discharges and pollution violations. Key changes include the definition of "waste," which now explicitly includes "physical waste," and the introduction of new civil penalties for oil discharges based on the receiving environment, with specific amounts set for different categories. For instance, penalties for oil entering an anadromous stream are increased to $40 per gallon, while those for estuarine environments are set at $10 per gallon. Additionally, the bill mandates that penalties be adjusted every ten years based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring they remain relevant over time.

The bill also establishes administrative penalties for serious or repeat discharges of oil, ranging from $500 to $10,000, and outlines factors the department must consider when assessing these penalties. Furthermore, it introduces provisions for including produced water in the volume calculations for discharged oil and repeals certain existing sections to streamline the regulatory framework. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB0205A, AM HB 205, introduced 04/22/2025: 31.05.170, 46.03.758, 46.03.759, 46.03.760, 46.03.250, 46.03.313, 46.03.740, 46.03.750, 46.03.822, 29.60.510, 29.60.599, 46.08.070, 46.03.460, 46.03.475, 46.03.020, 46.03.463, 43.52.295, 46.03.314, 46.03.490, 46.03.900