American Indian Report - May 2008 - (Page 16)

CERT: The Danger of the Green Energy Boom THE COUNCIL OF ENERGY RESOURCE TRIBES knows that green technology is going to be big in Indian Country. As the leading tribal energy body — representing more than 55 tribes in the United States and Canada— no one can size up the potential better. Yet CERT also knows of the danger that could accompany the emerging green energy boom, the same peril that tribes endured with the oil booms that came in the latter part of the 19th century straight through the 20th century. David Lester, CERT’s executive director, tells it like it was. The last energy boom took a lot of tribal resources, but Indian people saw few benefits. The real winners: companies that made up the value chain, from wellheads to refineries to distributors to consumers. Lester finds no reason to believe the green technology boom will unfold any differently. Tribes could again enter into deals that practically give away their renewable resources. He said, “Indian energy resources are vast, second only to those on federal lands, and the national need for increased production of both conventional and renewable energy is great. Tribes will be under great pressure from developers to sign unfair lease agreements that lock in tribal resources for a lifetime.” The fight for energy reform in the legal and policy arenas is being reengaged, Lester said, as federals laws, policies and programs have made David it difficult for tribes to develop their Lester. resources to benefit their people. This, he stated, is where the tribal policy battle lines will be drawn with the next president and the next Congress. Lester spots one hopeful sign. “Indian land owners, especially the tribes, are more savvy and have more tools to work with, thanks to the hard work of past generations of tribal leaders.” What is key to implementing green technology in Indian Country? Besides re-gaining or maintaining control of their energy resources, Lester said tribes need to build capacity to plan, initiate and manage these projects and access to funding. While he looks to the federal government for capacity-building, he thinks fellow tribes, specifically thriving casino tribes that do not have energy resources because of their smaller land bases, should be part of the capital solution. A good way to get them involved, he said, is by developing an Indian energy equity fund. n “Tribes will be under great pressure from developers to sign unfair lease agreements that lock in tribal resources for a lifetime.” 1 May 2008 American Indian Report http://www.certredearth.com/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - May 2008

American Indian Report - May 2008 Contents Courts: Blackfeet Housing Authority Can Be Sued For Unhealthy Homes Congress: Activity on the Hill Ethics & Standards of Conduct: Personal Use of Tribal Property Policy: "Meriless Indian Savages" and the Declaration of Independence Green Technology Grants: New DOJ Program Provides Funding For Rape Crisis Centers Listen & Learn: Multiple Indirect Cost Rates Sweet Success Penobscot Nation Restores Cultural Use of Water Tribes Diversify with Private Equity Fund The Native American YouTube Tribal Government: An Introduction to Strategic Planning

American Indian Report - May 2008

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