Hollis S. French v. Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

Summary

The court held that the Commission had jurisdiction over the reported gas leak because its statutory mission includes investigating and identifying waste, and jurisdiction cannot depend on a preliminary substantive determination that no waste occurred. The Commission also could not deny a hearing based on its asserted prior investigation and determination without substantial evidence in the administrative record. The superior court’s decision was reversed, its attorney-fee award was vacated, and the matter was remanded for further proceedings.