Declining oil production may leave the State Department of Environmental Conservation with an $800,000 shortfall for this year, which would hamper efforts to clean up contaminated sites.
Soldotna Senator Peter Micciche today introduced a bill which would levy a surcharge on refined fuels distributed in the state to help cover those costs.
Sen. Micciche questioned why Alaska should be put at risk for the clean up of contaminated sites and responding to non-emergency spills. He said most problems in the state come from refined fuels.
Right now 4% of each taxable barrel of oil goes towards the Spill Response Fund, along with fines, settlements or penalties recovered from companies who are responsible for spills.
The DEC says they’re expecting a growing shortfall in years to come, if oil prices stay low.