The Permanent Energy Crisis
This article strongly supports the traditional claim that fossil fuel mining
and consumption are leading to an unbalanced world that is a threat to the entire
planet, not just Dineh. According to the article, there are those, however, who may
see coal mining as a “solution” to an oil crisis which means that, despite the
current shut down of Peabody, people should be on the lookout for plans to greatly
expand coal mining in the area.
The current contender appears to be this Headwaters, Inc. corporation that has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hopi Tribal council. Very similar to
the Reliant company concept, it appears to consist of 2 major initiatives: a coal
liquification project and a electric power plant. Read more
Further Background Info, Talking Points, Words from the Dineh Targeted by this Bill, & Links:
There are 3 Major parts to the Bill:
1. COAL ROYALTY RATES
The real center of gravity of the Senate Bill S1003 may be the coal provision (as the Grandmothers have always maintained) which gives power to the Secretary of the Interior to determine how the coal is to be valued and shared. The Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribal Council currently are involved in litigation and negotiation regarding how to apportion and divide coal royalties between the two tribes. S 1003 would allow the Secretary of the Interior to unilaterally determine how to apportion revenue between the groups. It is opposed by both the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribal Council. The question of royalties and division of land into parcels requires more investigation and is currently the subject of confidential negotiations before the federal courts, and it appears that S 1003 seeks to force some sort of resolution opposed by both the Navajo Nation and the Hopi. Read more
Black Mesa coal talks continue
Shirley opposes grassroots plan, council interested
02.02.06 By Marley Shebala Navajo Times (hard copy)
WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Nation is opposing a proposal from Navajo and
Hopi communities that could possibly reap more than $40 million a year to
replace lost revenues and jobs from the idled Black Mesa coalmine.
On Jan. 20, the Navajo Nation filed legal papers with the California
Public Utilities Commission asking it to throw out the
grassroots-generated Just Transition Plan. Read more
