Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Denies Hydropower Projects on Navajo Nation

The decision marks a significant shift in policy, granting Native American tribes the authority to veto unwanted projects on their lands.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected preliminary permit applications for three hydropower projects on the Navajo Nation, citing the lack of tribal support.
This move is part of a broader policy change that now allows Native American tribes to quickly veto hydropower projects proposed on their lands.
Conservation groups and Navajo Nation officials had raised concerns about the projects' potential to deplete groundwater resources and impact local wildlife.
Nature and People First, the company behind the proposed projects, expressed disappointment, emphasizing their investment and initial consultations with Navajo stakeholders.
The policy change is seen as a recognition of tribal sovereignty and a measure to ensure that tribes are fully informed and willing to consider project development on their lands.