FERC

Last Minute Suit to Block Conveyance of Kerr Dam Project to Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Fails

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here are the materials so far in Keenan v. Bay (D. D.C.):

2 Complaint

19-1 Motion for TRO

20 DCT Order Denying TRO

An excerpt:

Plaintiffs have also failed to adduce any evidence that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm should the Kerr license be transferred to CSKT and EKI. In their Motion, Plaintiffs make general claims of economic harm they will allegedly suffer should CSKT and EKI take control of the Kerr dam. Additionally, Plaintiffs make general allegations regarding the natural security importance of the Kerr Project, as well as somewhat perplexing arguments regarding the Turkish Government’s involvement with Native Americans. However, to the extent such injuries are cognizable, nowhere are those allegations substantiated in the record. Indeed, at hearing, counsel for Plaintiffs conceded that no such evidence has been submitted relating to the Plaintiffs’ alleged economic harm. Accordingly, Plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden here.

Seneca Materials on FERC Notice for Kinzua Hydro License

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Seneca Nation of Indians Kinzua Press Release

Background Materials

Timeline

Update: President Porter Speech on Hydroelectric License [thanks to A.E.]

An excerpt from the press release:

The Seneca Nation ofIndians applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate the Seneca Pumped Storage Project at the Kinzua Dam site, President Robert Odawi Porter announced today.

The pumped storage hydropower project generates 450 megawatts of electricity, which corporate interests have sold and profited from for 40 years without compensating the Nation.The hydropower project relies on and every day uses Seneca Nation land and water.

“Filing for the license to operate the Seneca Pumped Storage Project is an especially profound opportunity and a significant moment in time for the Seneca Nation, given the historic injustice that was imposed on our people with the building of the Kinzua Dam,” said PresidentPorter. “The flooding of our lands more than 45 years ago resulted in large-scale, forcible removal of families, destruction of homes and loss of significant lands to which we were spiritually tied. For these reasons, we are entitled to obtain the license because of the historic injustice committed against us,” he said.

Ruby Pipeline Project — FERC Notice

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

From HR:

The proposed Ruby Pipeline project from Wyoming to Oregon will cross many traditional and important places for the Paiute, Shoshone, Modoc, and other Tribes. Please let others know about this FERC/BLM/PG&E project that will irreparably change and forever destroy a large swath of our beautiful homelands. http://www.summitlaketribe.org/Maps.html

ruby-pipeline-project

FERC Approves Wave Energy Project at Makah

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Thanks for Tom Schlosser at Morisett Schlosser for these docs: Here is the FERC announcement and the statements of commissioners Spitzer and Kelliher.