Environment | Politics

House committee approves Native American Energy Act

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The House Natural Resources Committee approved H.R. 1548 , the Native American Energy Act, at a markup on Wednesday.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, introduced the bill on April 12. The measure speeds up federal review of energy projects and implements reforms affecting appraisals, leasing and other activities on Indian land.

"This bill comes in direct response from tribes across the United States who want to responsibly develop their natural resources on tribal lands, but time and time again run into burdensome rules and regulations put in place by the federal government," Young said in a press release. "The Native American Energy Act will encourage much needed energy development in Indian Country, and be yet another step toward self-determination and business development benefitting Indian tribes and Alaska Native corporations,”

The bill includes a provision that bars the Interior Department from regulating hydraulic fracturing on Indian lands without the "express consent" of the tribe or the individual Indian owner. The Obama administration opposes the measure, Mike Black, the director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, said at a hearing last month.

Get the Story:
US Chamber of Commerce throws support behind tribal energy legislation (AP 6/12)

Committee Notice
Markup on H.R. 412, H.R. 657, H.R. 697, H.R. 740, H.R. 841, H.R. 931, H.R. 1126, H.R. 1411, H.R. 1497, H.R. 1548, H.R. 1825, H.R. 1964, H.R. 2166, and H.R. 2231 (June 12, 2013)