Jicarilla Apache Nation battles utility in tribal and federal court

Thursday, November 29, 2012  

The Jicarilla Apache Nation of New Mexico and a utility that provides service on the reservation are battling in tribal and federal court.

The tribe went to its court to assert eminent domain over the Northern Rio Arriba Electric Cooperative. But the utility filed a lawsuit in federal court saying the tribe lacks jurisdiction, The Albuquerque Journal reported.

The tribe and NORA have a contract that runs through 2014. It reportedly includes arbitration provisions that the utility says the tribe is ignoring.

NORA also claims the tribe waived its sovereign immunity in the contract.

Get the Story:
Power System Fight Flares (The Albuquerque Journal 11/29)