The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing this afternoon on S.1684, the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2011.

The National Energy Policy Act of 200 created a voluntary program aimed at speeding up development in Indian Country. Participating tribes can submit resource plans to the Interior Department in order to gain quick approval of business deals, leases, rights-of-way and other types of energy agreements.

However, the situation hasn't changed much. Since 2005, no tribe has actually submitted a tribal energy resource agreement, or TERA, for federal approval, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the vice chairman of the committee, said at the hearing.

S.1683 aims to encourage more participation in the TERA program. Tribal leaders supported the proposed changes, citing a need for more clarification in the process.

Audio of the hearing can be downloaded below:

• Opening Statements

• Testimony | Q&A
THE HONORABLE JAMES M. “MIKE” OLGUIN, Vice Chairman, Southern Ute Indian Tribe

THE HONORABLE TEX HALL, Chairman, Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation

THE HONORABLE MICHAEL O. FINLEY, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

THE HONORABLE IRENE C. CUCH, Chairwoman, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation

MR. WILSON GROEN, President and CEO, Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Company

Committee Notice:
LEGISLATIVE HEARING on S. 1684, Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2011 (April 19, 2012)

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