Division of Spill Prevention and Response

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Best Available Technology

 



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What are the requirements for the use of best available technology (BAT) in oil spill prevention and response?

 

The Alaska Legislature has directed in statute 46.04.030(e) that the oil discharge prevention and contingency plans required for specific types of facilities or operations, "must provide for the use by the applicant of the best technology that was available at the time the contingency plan was submitted or renewed. The department [DEC] shall identify the prevention and response technologies that are subject to a best available technology determination. The department may find that any technology meeting the response planning standards in (k) of this section or a prevention performance standard established under 46.04.070 is the best available technology. The department may prepare findings and maintain a list of those technologies that are considered best available."


To meet this requirement, at each contingency plan review or renewal, DEC makes a BAT determination on certain plan components, as described in 18 AAC 75.425(e)(4). In addition, in 1997 regulations were implemented for a more general BAT review.


18 AAC 75.447 requires the Department to review and appraise technologies that may be used to meet response planning standards, or performance standards by sponsoring a technology conference at least every five years. The BAT Conference is presented in cooperation with persons, organizations, and groups with interest and expertise in relevant technologies. The conference will provide interested parties with an opportunity to describe the status of existing technologies in use, as well as technologies that may be considered superior to those in use at that time. The Department may also evaluate technologies by engaging in studies, inquiries, surveys, or analyses that warrant consideration.


The first BAT Conference is tentatively scheduled for May 27 and 28, 2004. To date, planning for the BAT Conference has been done by a work group comprised of representatives from each of the Primary Response Action Contractors (PRACs) in the state, and the two Regional Citizens' Advisory Councils (RCACs), in conjunction with the department. These work group sessions are open to the public, and public or other interested stakeholder comment is welcome.


Below are several documents generated for or by the work group which explains the planning process thus far, and also the proposed work to be completed by the contractor secured by DEC to complete the conference planning and facilitate the event.


Regulations

For more information contact:


Betty Schorr
ADEC Division of Spill Prevention and Response
555 Cordova St.
Anchorage, AK 99516-2617
Telephone: (907) 269-7566
Fax: (907) 269-7687
E-mail: Betty.Schorr@alaska.gov