10 years ago this week

Alaska Journal of Commerce

Jan. 11, 1993

DEC working group agrees on air quality

By Tim Bradner

A working group of affected interest groups, including Alaska industry and environmental organizations, utilities and municipalities, has completed work on a proposed new state air quality regulation law.

The draft bill would make sweeping changes in Alaska air quality laws mandated by the 1990 federal Clean Air Act. It will be submitted for consideration in January, as the Legislature convenes in Juneau.

Amendments by Congress to the Clean Air Act make major expansions in the types of chemical emissions brought under government regulation and lowers the volume threshold of annual emissions under which a permit would be required.

The result will be many more Alaskans having to get air quality permits than is presently the case.

Federal law also requires the program to be "self-funding," or paid for by fees received for permits.

The proposed Alaska bill provides the statutory framework for required new state regulations, and was developed through some 20 working sessions through November and December, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

DEC's goal, and that of regulated industries, was to have Alaska be able to take over and manage the program, rather than pay penalties under the federal law and have the federal Environmental Protection Agency manage Alaska air quality permits.

State lawmakers must act on the bill this spring or face sanctions that could include a cutoff in federal funds such as highway construction money.

Alaska Journal of Commerce

Jan. 11, 1993

MarkAir scheme pays off

By Margaret Bauman

MarkAir's offer to exchange Alaska Permanent Fund dividend checks for four round-trip tickets anywhere the carrier flies appears to have paid off handsomely, says MarkAir owner Neil Bergt.

"It was a rip-roaring success," Bergt said.

"We had a tremendous last-minute rush on it," said Bergt, in a New Year's Day interview. "In Fairbanks they had lines a mile long."

Bergt said final figures weren't in yet, but "I suspect we sold over the $10 million target."

With the success of the permanent fund dividend program, the Anchorage-based airline may not need to take advantage of an approved arrangement to borrow funds through a California firm, Bergt said. "The problem with those loans is the terms are pretty onerous, and if we don't have to, we won't," he said.

Bergt also said bookings were "real good" so far on flights to San Diego and Newark, which begin in January.

"We're trying desperately to get out of Chapter 11. Times are tough in the business world," he said. The airline, which has been in bankruptcy since June, has been working on reorganization plans.

-- Compiled by Ed Bennett.