Harlan McKosato: Tribes tap into energy development potential

As Americans, we love energy. In fact, the U.S. is the second-highest consumer in terms of total per-capita use behind China, who passed us just last summer. It’s no wonder that the world’s largest business sector is energy. So where does Indian Country fit in?

That’s the purpose for an upcoming conference June 10-12 at Sandia Resort and Casino called “Developing Tribal Energy Resources and Economies.” Primary topic areas of the conference are tribes’ right-of-way negotiations with major utility companies, self-generation of energy for tribal communities, and deep shale exploration and development.

It’s been analyzed by several difference sources (including the Bureau of Indian Affair and the Department of Energy) that tribal lands make up approximately 5 percent of the land mass in the U.S., but hold up to 15 percent to 20 percent of the nation’s energy resources. Tribal lands are a thorough way for major utility companies.