AK HJR29

Over 200 Alaska communities (82 percent of total communities) lack road connectivity and rely heavily on air travel, with the state's geographically dispersed population dependent on piston-driven aircraft.

A transition away from leaded aviation fuel by 2030 would pose insurmountable challenges to Alaska's aviation sector and disproportionately harm rural and remote communities with no viable substitute fuel readily available and affordable.

A truncated timeline for replacing aircraft parts and engines would likely collapse the piston-driven aviation fleet due to exorbitant costs, limited equipment availability, and insufficient adaptation time.

A 2030 mandate would endanger residents of remote air-accessible communities by restricting access to food, fuel, emergency medical care, education, and other essential services.

The Alaska Legislature urges the federal government to extend the state's leaded aviation fuel exemption to 2034 in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act to allow adequate time for a smooth transition while ensuring resident safety and wellbeing.