Co-op members protest BIA proposal

Jemez Mountain Electrical Cooperative officials and some of their customers are speaking out against proposed federal rule changes they believe could lead to higher utility costs. The Co-op’s Board of Trustees and Northern New Mexicans Protecting Land, Water and Rights, a citizen group comprised of El Rancho and other Northern New Mexico residents, are voicing concerns, through public comments, over what they see as deregulation of the tribal easement negotiations. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is accepting comments on proposed changes to the Code of Federal Regulations that “would comprehensively update and streamline the process for obtaining BIA grants of rights-of-way on Indian land,” at the same time, “supporting tribal self-determination and self governance.” However, Co-op officials and Northern New Mexicans believe the rule changes to 25 CFR Part 169 would also set the foundation for future gas, telephone and Internet fee increases. Northern New Mexicans’ organizer Heather Nordquist said the rule change would aggravate an already tumultuous system and have a long-lasting negative impact on the community’s progress. “So this affects more than our electric bill,” Nordquist said. “Due to the difficulties with negotiating utility easements with this Pueblo (San Ildefonso), I have a propane tank to provide me heat, and I have satellite TV and Internet connections because standard commercial options may not be run across land held in trust by this tribe.” She said incurring the extra cost associated with non-standard services is both expensive and inconvenient...more