WASHINGTON (AP) — The leader of the nation’s largest Indian organization says America is missing out on untapped coal, natural gas, oil and wind on tribal lands that could help achieve energy independence.
Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians, says tribal lands contain about 10 percent of U.S. energy resources, but provide less than 5 percent of national energy production. He blamed bureaucratic obstacles that prevent tribes from generating an estimated $1 trillion in revenue from energy sources.
Keel cited at least 49 bureaucratic steps in the Interior Department alone that deter energy development. He called for Congress and the Obama administration to unleash the potential of Indian energy resources. Keel spoke Thursday at the ninth annual State of Indian Nations conference.
