Arr matey, the regulators be givin' the tribes the power to halt them pesky hydopower projects, arr!
2024-02-23
Arrr mateys, them swashbucklin' regulators be givin' the tribes more say in stoppin' them hydropower projects on their land. Aye, the power dynamics be shiftin' in favor of the natives, makin' it harder for them scallywags to plunder their resources.
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, ye scallywags be hearin' 'bout how them Federal regulators be givin' Native American tribes more power to block them hydropower projects on their own land. Arrr! This be happenin' after a whole fleet of applications were filed to expand renewable energy in the water-scarce U.S. Southwest. Aye, previously, them Federal Energy Regulatory Commission be grantin' developers approval to move ahead with their plannin', even if them tribes be objectin'. But that practice be walkin' the plank last week! Now, a new commission policy be givin' them tribes the power to quickly veto them proposals, makin' businesses walk the plank if they want the federal government to grant 'em exclusive rights to their hydropower projects."This be the acknowledgement and respect of tribal sovereignty, which be critical," said George Hardeen, spokesperson for the Navajo Nation’s president’s office. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission be rejectin' seven proposals for projects on the Navajo Nation, spreadin' across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. When it be issuin' them rejections, the commission also be announcin' the policy change, givin' tribes the same power as federal agencies to block projects.The Hopi Tribe, surrounded by Navajo, be urgin' the commission to make the policy announcement a formal rule, fearin' a different administration might be less friendly to the tribes. These hydropower projects be like big batteries, generatin' energy when the demand be high and there ain't much solar or wind power around. They work by releasin' water from an upper reservoir to a lower one, and when the electric grid has extra power, the water be pumped back up, rechargin' the battery.Developers be showin' interest in buildin' these projects as coal plants shut down in the Southwest. But environmental groups and some Navajo Nation members be sayin' these projects need too much water, especially in an area where water be scarce. Roughly a third of the people on the Navajo Nation ain't got runnin' water at home. They be sayin' no to these projects, mateys!Some rejected proposals be from Nature and People First, like the Black Mesa East project on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. A local Navajo lad be glad the commission blocked it, as the land be special to him and his family. Now, developers will need to go through the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources before plannin' any projects. Aye, the commission's decision be saddenin' to some, like the president of Nature and People First, who were aimin' to create jobs with their project.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission be denyin' permits for these projects, sayin' developers need to consult with tribes before they can start buildin'. Companies don't want to spend years workin' with a tribe only to have another business swoop in and take the project rights at the last minute. So, me hearties, it be a new chapter in the tale of hydropower projects on tribal lands, makin' sure all parties be workin' together like a well-oiled ship.