Tribal leaders, U.S. lawmakers discuss energy development, drawing protest

Tribal officials told a congressional panel meeting in Santa Fe on Tuesday that they want more autonomy from the federal government and that their communities are unjustly burdened by red tape that prevents energy development on Native lands.

Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, joined by Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and a panel of expert witnesses, said the policies of the Obama administration and Interior Department are stalling energy development for tribes. They said the administration has failed to understand the needs of tribal communities on the ground and is helping to perpetuate poverty as a result.

But local environmental advocates and some members of New Mexico pueblos who disagree attended the hearing at the state Capitol in protest.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/tribal-leaders-u-s-lawmakers-discuss-energy-development-drawing-protest/article_542ded4f-20e0-50e0-a9f0-905157353dad.html