Native American tribes gain new authority to stop unwanted hydropower projects

By MICHAEL PHILLIS
Associated Press

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has rejected several proposed hydropower projects on the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. The commission has also created a policy that essentially gives tribes early veto power over such projects. The Navajo Nation says the move recognizes the inherent authority of tribes to govern themselves. But some developers say consulting with the Navajo Nation can be confusing. Environmental groups have raised concerns about dams as a power source in areas where water is scarce. The dramatic landscapes of the region are ideal for pumped hydropower systems, which act like big batteries, releasing water to meet high demand and pumping it back when demand is low.