Mobilizing Against Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuel Extraction
Our efforts are needed now. We continue to mobilize across Indian Country to stop oil and gas leasing to protect our sacred lands, cultural resources, water, and environments from imminent harm. Presently, the Biden administration is outpacing Trump on issuing oil and gas leases on public lands. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allocates funds for promising increases in renewable energy and health care costs over time, but it does not adequately address or prevent devastation caused by extraction that will compound environmental degradation and climate chaos across the globe. The IRA will reinstate three oil and gas leases, two in the Gulf of Mexico and one impacting the Cook Inlet of Alaska by the end of this year. While the IRA significantly expands offshore leasing for wind energy, it also requires that oil and gas leases be offered over massive areas of the outer continental shelf as a condition of making wind leases available. Progressive policy provisions are supported by NOA, but compromise is not enough with respect to taking action on climate resiliency.
The Indigenous Environmental Network stated that the IRA is, “a distraction from the need to declare a climate emergency while allowing polluting industries to continue business as usual.” Our partners at NDN Collective submitted a letter to President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlining the misstep of passing a bill that links clean energy with fossil fuel extraction. “When it comes to offshore drilling, the coupling of the expansion of oil and gas with the development of renewables, is not only morally unsound but a betrayal of this Administration’s pledge to combat environmental racism and destruction.”
In unification with the voices heard across Indian Country demanding for the Biden-Harris administration to uphold promises of a transition to clean energy on public lands, NOA is resolute in pursuing efforts to leverage collective power in taking action to protect lands and waters sacred to our peoples. Efforts to eliminate environmental racism and continued devastation of our lands and waters requires true government-to-government meaningful consultation between Tribal Nations and the federal government in any and all decision-making that will impact Indigenous people.
Sign our petition today to voice your support for legislation that will protect our sacred lands, cultural resources, environments, peoples, and places. The petition will be presented to the House Committee on Natural Resources before the end of the year, December 2022. Join us in adding your name as we stand together in support of this landmark legislation.
Sources:
- On drilling in the Arctic, leases continue:
- Cap on prescription drug costs and Medicare, not launching until 2025:
- Biden outpacing Trump with oil and gas leases on public lands: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/01/27/oil-gas-leasing-biden-climate/
- Clean energy transition a failure: https://prospect.org/environment/collapsing-clean-energy-transition/
- More on compromises made:https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/u-s-senate-passes-the-inflation-6295171/
How the Inflation Reduction Act is Investing in Tribal Communities
Native Organizers Alliance supports the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act being signed into law by President Biden. The bill includes an investment of $272.5 million for our Tribal communities. We must act on this moment as a time to redouble our efforts for speeding up a just transition from fossil fuels through collective organizing and climate advocacy.
According to U.S. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, the Inflation Reduction Act will pass the House and will be signed into law by President Biden who is a champion of the climate resiliency, tax, and healthcare bill.
The bill’s passage will allocate:
- $150 million for Tribal home electrification, which has been an infrastructure challenge plaguing tribes who have the necessary expertise and authority to electrify homes, but not the financial means to do so.
- $75 million for loans to Tribes for energy development, energy rebate programs offering incentives for homes with high energy efficiency, and for modernizing existing systems to make them more climate-friendly.
- $25 million for climate resilience funding to the Office of Native Hawaiin Relations at the Department of Interior, representing the biggest investment in climate justice ever in history, paid for by corporate taxes according to Senator Mazie Hirono (D) Hawaii speaking to Hawaii News Now.
It also establishes a Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP) with up to $2 billion available to support tribal investment in energy-related projects such as electricity generation and transmission facilities both renewable and conventional.
In order to pass the bill into law, there were compromises made related to allowing new oil and gas leasing, which continues to cause devastating harm to our lands and our people. According to Indianz.com, tribal leaders are applauding and supporting the bill citing the need for advances in climate protection now with the weight of draughts, storms, fires, and other natural disasters looming.
William Smith, Chair of the National Indian Health Board has stated, “Once perceived as future threats, the impacts of climate change are now upon us. The action taken today demonstrates a renewed respect for Mother Earth and our waters and will focus attention on critically needed resources and alleviating the impact of climate change and transitioning to clean energy.”
Additionally, with this bill savings on health care costs, medicare expenses, and a reduction in pricing of some critical medications alleviate the burden on our elders and our families. There are provisions for inflationary and deficit control that can bring some financial relief to Tribal citizens across nations.
Sunday as the bill passed the Senate, Secretary Haaland said, “As communities across the country continue to face extreme heat, intense storms, and other climate impacts, now is the time to make bold investments.”
Native Organizers Alliance is committed to our mission to mobilize communities to leverage sovereignty and collective power for sacred land and climate protections.
References:
- The bill (click PDF to download): https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text
- Speaker statement: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pelosi-says-us-house-will-pass-inflation-reduction-act-friday-2022-08-10/
- Quotes on impacts for Tribes: https://www.indianz.com/News/2022/08/08/inflation-reduction-act-brings-new-climate-and-energy-investments-to-indian-country/
- Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/tribal-energy-loan-guarantee-program
- Hawaii News Now interview: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2022/08/10/hirono-discusses-inflation-reduction-act-bill-place-term-limit-supreme-court-justices/
- Native News Online article: https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/largest-investment-ever-on-climate-change-passes-senate-including-272-5-million-for-tribes
- Tribal electrification source: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/how-we-rise/2021/07/14/energizing-navajo-nation-how-electrification-can-secure-a-sustainable-future-for-indian-country/
Overturning Roe v. Wade further harms Native women
National Native org says decision violates a “sacred right”
Washington, DC —Native Organizers Alliance responds to the decision by the Supreme Court to
overturn Roe v. Wade. The following statement from Judith LeBlanc, executive director of
Native Organizers Alliance, can be quoted in-full or in-part.
“Overturning Roe v. Wade is another blow to the sovereignty of Native women over their own
bodies. We are just a few decades away from the forced sterilization of Native women by the U.S.
government, and today’s decision is another violation of our most sacred right to bodily
autonomy.
Native women are 2 to 3 times more likely to die in pregnancy than white women, according to
the Centers for Disease Control. Our women are already dying in childbirth. And the Court’s
decision today puts even more at risk by forcing at-risk pregnant women to carry a pregnancy to
term.
The decision ignores the humanity and rights of victims of violence. One in 3 Native women will
experience violence, including sexual violence, in their lifetime. They are also more likely to be
victims of sex trafficking. The Supreme Court has sentenced these women to a full-term
pregnancy that has resulted from sexual violence. It is the ultimate violation of their rights.
Native Organizers Alliance has seen the power of our people when we unite to defend our rights.
The fight isn’t over, and we will do all we can to support tribes and Native organizations in their
work to protect and defend reproductive rights.”
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Contact:
Brad Angerman, Pyramid Communications
bangerman@pyramidcommunications.com
702-218-4490
History Made! Deb is Confirmed!
“For the first time, we will have a person who looks like us and who, like us, shares a deep understanding of our ancestral responsibilities to care for the sacred lands and waters of this country.” – Judith LeBlanc Director of Native Organizers Alliance
March 15, 2021 —The United States Congress confirmed the appointment of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) for the U.S. Secretary for the Department of the Interior, making her the first Native American to serve in the U.S. cabinet.
The following is a statement from Judith Le Blanc (Caddo), director of Native Organizers Alliance:
“The impact of Deb Haaland’s confirmation as Secretary of the Interior can’t be understated. For the first time, we will have a person who looks like us and who, like us, shares a deep understanding of our ancestral responsibilities to care for the sacred lands and waters of this country.
For thousands of years before settlers arrived, our Native ancestors protected and cultivated our lands, a commitment which must be shared by all who live on this land. We pray for the earth as a living being, and understand we must work together to maintain balance with the natural world. This isn’t something we have to explain to Secretary Haaland. Our shared experiences connect us.
Given her vast experience in natural resources and tribal sovereignty, we hope that Secretary Haaland will help shape a new era where tribes are informed long before decisions are made, and give consent at all phases of the project.
For too long, pipelines, large-scale infrastructure projects like dams, mining, and more, have been pushed through without proper consultation with, and the consent of, tribal nations. Many times, this is in direct violation of the treaties and the U.S. Constitution. The end result of this flawed process is degraded and destroyed sacred lands, waters, fish, and wildlife. When our natural resources are carefully managed and protected, we all benefit.
As an organization dedicated to uplifting the voices and supporting the rights of Native nations across the U.S., we call on the Department of Interior to protect our sacred places, especially Bears Ears, the Grand Canyon, Chaco Canyon, the Arctic, Mauna Kea, Missouri River and Oak Flat.
The work ahead to protect our sacred places is the work our ancestors began long before us. It is an historic moment to have a Laguna Pueblo woman in this leadership position who shares our understanding of the sanctity of our natural resources. We look forward to the department forging new and stronger relationships with sovereign tribal nations.”
In celebration, of Deb Haaland being appointed as the Secretary of the Interior, the digital gender justice organization UltraViolet partnered with Protect the Sacred, ACLU of South Dakota, IllumiNative, Center for Native American Youth, Native Organizers Alliance, Advance Native Political Leadership, and Indigenous Life Ways, to create a mobile billboard in DC, broadcasting a congratulatory message to Secretary Haaland as well as the hopes and dreams of seven Indigenous women leaders who helped make this moment possible.
Leading up to this historic confirmation and appointment Native Organizers Alliance launched a campaign along with IllumiNative, 350.org, Sierra Club, Friends Committee on Legislation, the Women’s March and Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund, for constituents to contact their senators to show support for the confirmation of Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior. This resulted in 16,578 letters sent to U.S. Senators.
During Deb Haaland’s confirmation hearing Native Organizers Alliance hosted a watch party and celebration with hundreds of Native leaders from all over the United States, and VIP guests Mark Ruffalo, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Sharice Davids and even – Secretary Deb Haaland herself, along with her sisters and partner Skip.
See our Watch Party and Celebration here
