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TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2003

A provision in an energy bill that limits the federal government's trust responsibilities is not open for debate, the top aide to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) told tribal leaders recently, The Gallup Independent reports

Tribal leaders and Senate staff held a conference call last week to discuss the bill. The Navajo Nation, the National Congress of American Indians and some tribes are concerned about language that waives the Department of Interior's liability for streamlined energy development projects.

But Paul Moorehead, the Republican staff director for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said the language was "not open for discussion," according to the press secretary for Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.

At its mid-year session last month, NCAI passed a resolution in opposition to certain provisions, including the waiver of liability.

Get the Story:
Diné Prez blasts fed energy bill as underhanded (The Gallup Independent 7/7)

Energy Legislation Documents:
S.14 [with links to amendments] | Summary of Indian Energy Title III | Indian Energy Title III | Bush Administration Statement

Relevant Links:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee - http://energy.senate.gov
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Council of Energy Resource Tribes - http://www.certredearth.com

Related Stories:
Meeting set to discuss Indian energy bill (06/23)
Senate takes up Indian energy title (6/12)
Navajo Nation opposes energy bill (6/6)
Indian energy title adopted without changes (04/30)
Tribes weigh effects of energy legislation on trust (03/20)
Navajo Nation tussles with new trust 'philosophy' (03/20)
Interior opposes oversight in energy bill (03/20)
High court ruling makes 'passive' trustee of U.S. (3/5)