[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 27589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9431]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813, Report to Congress

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of publication of report to Congress.

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SUMMARY: Section 1813 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58) 
requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy 
(Departments) to jointly consult with stakeholders and conduct a study 
of issues related to energy rights-of-way (ROWs) on tribal lands. The 
Act further directs the Departments to submit a report to Congress on 
the findings of the study. The Report to Congress is available on the 
Section 1813 Web site (http://1813.anl.gov). This Web site will remain 
active until August 8, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darryl Francois (DOI, Office of Indian 
Energy and Economic Development) at (202) 219-0740, or Kristen Ellis 
(DOE, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs) at (202) 
586-5810. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339, to contact the above individuals during business hours. FIRS 
is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 1813 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58) 
requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy 
(Departments) to jointly conduct a study of issues regarding grants, 
expansions, and renewals of energy rights-of-way (ROWs) on tribal 
lands. Section 1813 also requires the Departments to consult with 
Indian tribes, the energy industry, appropriate governmental entities, 
and affected businesses and consumers in the course of the study. The 
Act further directs the Departments to submit a report to Congress on 
the findings of the study, including: (1) An analysis of historic rates 
of compensation paid for energy ROWs on tribal land; (2) 
Recommendations for appropriate standards and procedures for 
determining fair and appropriate compensation to Indian tribes for 
grants, expansions, and renewals of energy ROWs on tribal land; (3) An 
assessment of the tribal self-determination and sovereignty interests 
implicated by applications for the grant, expansion, or renewal of 
energy ROWs on tribal land; and (4) An analysis of relevant national 
energy transportation policies relating to grants, expansions, and 
renewals of energy ROWs on tribal land.
    The Departments held a number of public meetings to seek input and 
feedback from Indian tribes, the energy industry, appropriate 
governmental entities, and affected businesses and consumers. In 
addition the Departments held a number of government to government 
consultations with Indian tribes. The Departments released two draft 
reports and accepted comment about the content of both draft reports. 
This final Report to Congress reflects the Departments' response to the 
considered and substantial comments received. The Report to Congress is 
available on the Section 1813 Web site (http://1813.anl.gov) until 
August 8, 2007.

    Dated: May 11, 2007.
Carl J. Artman,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-9431 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]
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