Funding, Partners, and People
Charter Funding Companies
As required under OPA 90, crude oil exploration and production operators in Cook Inlet are required to fund Cook Inlet RCAC. This had been a negotiated contract, but in 2014, after 25 years, Congress amended OPA 90 to provide Cook Inlet RCAC with a minimum base funding amount. Companies required to file an oil spill contingency plan for the Cook Inlet region under OPA 90 are the “Charter Funding Companies.”
Past Charter Funding Companies
- Arco Alaska, Inc.
- Chevron
- Cook Inlet Pipe Line Company
- Kenai Pipeline Company
- Mapco Alaska Petroleum
- Marathon Oil Company
- Phillips Petroleum
- Shell Western E & P, Inc.
- Tesoro Alaska Petroleum
- Unocal Oil and Gas
- Tesoro Alaska/Kenai Pipeline Company
- Defense Fuel Supply
- Cross Timbers (XTO)
Present Charter Funding Companies
- Tesoro Alaska Petroleum
- Cook Inlet Energy
- ConocoPhillips
- Hilcorp Alaska LLC*
- Furie Operating Alaska
- BlueCrest Energy
*Having acquired Chevron, XTO and Marathon interests in the Cook Inlet region, Hilcorp LLC takes the places of those previous funders.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS
A significant amount of the projects we do are supported by additional funding through agencies and other organizations. Much of this funding was obtained through competitive peer-reviewed proposals and others through state grants and inter-agency and sole source agreements.
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation*
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game*
- Alaska ShoreZone Partnership
- Alaska State Legislature
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
- Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response Inc. (CISPRI)
- Coastal Marine Institute, UAF
- Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP), Alaska Department of Natural Resources
- Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
- Environmental Protection Agency*
- EVOS Trustee Council
- Kachemak Bay Research Reserve
- Kenai Peninsula Borough
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- National Park Service
- NOAA, National Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration
- NOAA, NMFS, Auke Bay Laboratories
- NOAA, NMFS, Alaska Regional Office, Alaska Fisheries Science Center
- NOAA, Northwest Fisheries Science Center
- NOAA, National Ocean Service, National Weather Service
- Oil Spill Recovery Institute
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service*
- Washington Department of Ecology
- University of Washington
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Alaska Anchorage
*Denotes Ex Officio Members
STRENGTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Since 1990, CIRCAC has worked to represent the interests and concerns of our member organizations and communities, while fostering a cooperative partnership with industry and government. The key to our long-term success has been our ability to build and sustain positive working relationships with the Charter Funding Companies operating in the Inlet and our state and federal partners.
CIRCAC has demonstrated that citizens, government and industry can work together to reach consensus and to achieve better results. Together, we will continue to work toward the common goal of safer oil production and transportation in Cook Inlet.
Partnering Agencies and Organizations
- Alaska Ocean Observing System
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
- Alaska Department of Natural Resources
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
- City of Kenai
- Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response Inc.
- Kenai Peninsula Borough
- Marine Exchange of Alaska
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Weather Service
- Nuka Research
- Oil Spill Recovery Institute
- Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council
- The Nature Conservancy
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Forest Service
Specialized Support
Much of the work CIRCAC accomplishes is through staff, Committees, the Board and partners. However, when necessary, we do seek specialized and technical expertise and logistical support to help us achieve our goals. Some of these contractors we have employed over the years include:
- Arthur D. Little
- Big G
- Cape International
- Clearwater Air
- Coastwise Services
- Driskell and Associates
- Eley & Associates
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University
- Glosten & Associates
- IT Department
- Kasitsna Bay Laboratory
- Kenai Helicopters
- Kinnetic Laboratories
- Littoral Ecological and Environmental Services
- Maritime Helicopters
- Mote Marine Laboratory
- Nuka Research and Planning
- Payne Environmental
- Pearson Consulting
- ProComm Alaska LLC
- Rediske Air
- Research Vessels Kittiwake II, Waters, Island C, Auklet, Ocean Cape, and Columbia
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
- University of Washington
- Woods Hole Group
PEOPLE
CIRCAC is a better organization because of the dedication and expertise of its many volunteers. We are grateful to those who have served in the past and are currently serving on our Board of Directors, Public Committees, and as Ex Officio members. Thank you.
