A draft report to Congress on energy rights-of-way in Indian Country is open for comments and suggestions.

Notice of the report is published today in the Federal Register. A copy can be viewed at http://1813.anl.gov. The report and appendix are also linked below.

The Interior and Energy departments are planning several meetings to discuss the draft. Comments are being accepted through September 1, 2006.

Section 1813 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized the study at the behest of the energy industry, whose representatives say tribes are seeking too much for use of their land.

Federal Register Notice:
Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813, Draft Report to Congress (August 9, 2006)

Draft 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:
Council of Energy Resource Tribes - http://www.certredearth.com
Edison Electric Institute - http://www.eei.org
Department of Energy - http://www.energy.gov

Related Stories:
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)