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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow, the House will consider H.R. 538, “the Native American Energy Act,” sponsored by Indian, Insular & Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Don Young. The bill works to streamline federal permitting for, and increases tribal control over, energy and other natural resource development on Indian lands.

Particularly important to Alaska Native Corporations, H.R. 538 contains provisions to streamline judicial review and deter frivolous lawsuits concerning federal permitting for Native American energy projects.

“The Judicial Review provisions are crucial for Alaska Natives, whose ability to develop their land claim settlement lands has been abused by special interest groups filing lawsuits from outside,” Congressman Young said today. “These lands, given by this Congress to Alaska Natives, are now being interfered with by outside interest groups.”

Congressman Young spoke before the House Committee on Rules this afternoon to discuss floor consideration of H.R. 538:

Congressman Young testifying before the House Rules Committee on H.R. 538 (click here for video)

“In the Dakotas, during the energy boom, it took 15 permits to develop reservation lands, but only two years off the reservation... We keep talking about self-determination, nation to nation, it’s all lip service. There are 56 million acres of land that are owned by American Indians in the lower 48, and 44 million acres of land owned by Alaska Natives – bigger than the state of Washington and half of Oregon. Yet, they are precluded from developing their resources for the benefit of their people…This bill is the first tiny step forward to allow American Indians and Alaska Natives to have a real government to government relationship to develop their lands and industry, without the heavy-hand of the federal government.”

Asked by the House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) how the Native American Energy Act would assist the nation as a whole, Young offered the following insight:

 Congressman Young: “Any time we have an abundance of energy, we become a greater nation (click here for video).”

“Any time we have energy development, any time we have an abundance of energy, we become a greater nation…We’ve been blessed with an abundance of energy. If we want to continue to grow in this country and make this the greatest country in the world again – I say again because we’re slipping – we must have a surplus of energy. With that we create new wealth and new jobs… This gives [Alaska Natives and American Indians] the ability economically for self-determination. If you don’t have the wear-with-all to create your own energy and your own wealth, you’re never going to be independent. I’m trying to help a specific group of people that’s been mistreated.”

This summer, the GAO issued a report called “Indian Energy Development --- Poor Management by BIA Has Hindered Energy Development on Indian Lands.” Click here to review its findings, which support policy changes included in H.R. 538.

Click here to watch the full House Rules Committee consideration of H.R. 538, the Native American Energy Act.

Click here for the one-pager and here for more information on the legislation.