The Cherokee Nation is seeking a $1 million grant to continue work on a hydroelectric power plant at the W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam in Oklahoma.

In 1986, Congress authorized the tribe to build the plant. Since 2009, the tribe has received $2.5 million in grants from various federal agencies to study and prepare for the facility.

Another $1 million grant from the Interior Department would further the effort, a tribal council member said. Construction itself is expected to cost $144 million.

“We will get it. I have no doubt,” David Thornton told The Sequoyah County Times of the DOI grant.

The tribe has asked Congress to make some changes to the 1986 law in order to own the power plant and to market electricity from it.

Get the Story:
Cherokees approve hydroelectric plant (The Sequoyah County Times 1/25)

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Markup on H.R. 241, H.R. 258, H.R. 461, H.R. 473, H.R. 795, H.R. 818, H.R. 1158, H.R. 1258, H.R. 1421, H.R. 1560, and H.R. 2011 (July 20, 2011)

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House Natural Resources Committee hosts markup on Wednesday (7/18)