Group puts spin on Indian rights-of-way study

Tuesday, May 22, 2007  

A group called Fair Access to Energy Coalition is trying to tie high oil and gas prices to the recent Indian rights-of-way report.

The group says the report from the Energy Department and the Interior Department raises concerns about energy rights-of-way on Indian lands. "Consumers should be pleased that the Departments recognize that lengthy impasses over critical energy rights-of-way on tribal lands can arise due to uncertainty, lack of uniformity and transparency in negotiations and that Congress has Constitutional authority to resolve those impasses by specific legislation," executive director Nancy Ives said.

The report, however, states there is no evidence that Indian rights-of-way agreements have ever had an impact on energy prices. The departments recommended no change to energy policy out of respect for tribal self-determination.

FAIR calls itself a "broad-based, non-partisan group that is seeking a solution to ensure the movement of energy across tribal lands on reasonable terms." The group spent nearly $2 million in lobbying fees in 2005 and 2006 -- the years when the report was being prepared and finalized.

FAIR's legal advisor while the report was being prepared was Tom Sansonetti, a former Justice Department and former Interior Department lawyer.

Get the Story:
Press Release: Report Says Congress Could Authorize Condemnation of Tribal Lands in Energy Rights-of-Way Disputes (Fair Access to Energy Coalition 5/22)

Get the Report:
Report to Congress: Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813 Indian Land Rights-of-Way Study (May 2007( } Letters to Congress (May 2007)

Rights-of-Way Report:
Draft Report to Congress: Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813 Indian Land Rights-of-Way Study | Appendix: Historic Rates of Compensation for Rights-of-Way Crossing Indian Lands, 1948-2006

Get the Bill:
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R.6)

Relevant Links:
Energy Policy Act Section 1813 - http://1813.anl.gov

Related Stories:
Indian energy rights-of-way report finalized (5/16)
Navajo Nation reaches interim rights-of-way deal (01/29)
Navajo Nation still working on rights-of-way deal (01/03)
Navajo woman booted from rights-of-way meeting (09/01)
Comment period extended on rights-of-way report (8/29)
Meetings set on draft energy rights-of-way report (8/23)
Tribal energy rules proposed by BIA (8/22)
Sac and Fox Nation looks to develop energy park (8/17)
Tribes discuss potential for energy development (8/14)
Federal Register: Draft report on energy rights-of-way (08/09)
Nez Perce landowners protest energy company (07/17)
Indian energy rights-of-way study being delayed (07/07)
Energy rights-of-way study criticized at Denver meeting (03/08)
Tom Daschle: Opportunity for tribes and energy (02/16)
DOI meeting on energy rights-of-way on tribal lands (2/13)
Navajo Nation reaches interim deal over pipeline (01/19)
Navajo Nation close to deal over gas pipeline (1/11)
Company waits for DOI response on pipeline (10/26)
Navajo Nation says pipeline company in trespass (10/24)
Utility bypasses tribe, asks DOI for pipeline approval (09/30)
Tribe, utility far apart on natural gas pipeline (9/23)
Lawyer: Challenges to pipeline on Navajo Nation (07/26)
NCAI's Hall praises Senate passage of energy bill (06/29)
Appraiser warned DOI of undervaluation of Indian lands (12/06)
BIA sued for rights-of-way on Ute Reservation in Utah (06/03)
Trust fund special master alleges government fraud (04/07)
Special master Balaran resigns from Cobell lawsuit (4/6)
Lamberth defends special master against attack (03/16)
Navajo landowners question BIA agreement with company (10/21)
Retaliation alleged in firing of trust fund manager (09/18)
Court report finds undervaluation of Navajo lands (08/21)
Navajo trust fund manager targeted in internal probe (07/15)
DOI employees falsified Navajo trust data (06/11)
Navajo leaders criticize upheaval at trust fund office (05/09)