PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — I am sitting here in an energy roundtable meeting at the National Congress of American Indians conference where Native representives and tribal leaders are discussing a concept paper regarding energy development in Indian Country.
The topic sparked overflow-room interest, pushing many participants to seats in the hallway. Participants were asked to share their thoughts about an energy bill that would help tribes take a more active role in developing their natural resorces.
A Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a hearing on the energy paper on October 22 in Washington, D.C., according to Allison Binney, a Indian affairs staff member for Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.
Several people were quick yo speak up about concerns they have that are hampering their ability to effectively develop energy projects on tribal landsl.
“It’s hard to see all the oil development around us,” said Chairman Marcus Levings of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. He said he can see oil well flair shooting out of the well drilled in 21 days just off the reservation. In fact, flairs are burning all around the reservation on non-Indian land. Meanwhile, on the reservation, “it’s dark, it’s slow,” said Levings, noting that federal trust lands are much more difficult to develop while oil development elsewhere is going “gangbusters.”
Jodi Rave