Facebook Twitter Email
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2001

Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb has been promoting the energy development efforts of the Southern Ute Tribe of Utah, but not all tribal members are happy with the successes.

The Southern Ute Grassroots Organization is composed of tribal members who are opposed to the coal-bed methane drilling that occurs at 1,400 gas wells on the 180,000-acre reservation. The group says the tribe is sacrificing too much for the sake of money.

The money, however, has helped the tribe become self-sufficient and one of the richest in the nation. The tribe has a better bond credit rating than some countries.

The tribe also says there is no evidence their efforts have contributed to five large coal fires that are burning -- underground. Trees and brush have died on the land over the fires and the earth has caved in.

Others in Colorado say coal-bed drilling has had a negative impact on the environment and the water supply. Top officials in the state and at the Department of Interior have close ties to the oil, gas and coal industries.

Get the Story:
Drilling tests Utes' values (The Denver Post 9/9)
Coal-bed methane fueling dispute (The Denver Post 9/9)
Top Colorado, D.C. officials have close ties to industry (The Denver Post 9/9)