Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Pushes Hydropower Permit Rule Change Despite Tribal Opposition Concerns

Chris Wright serves as the United States Secretary of Energy, not Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Recent news from the last few days highlights his role in a proposed federal rule on hydropower permits. Tribal Business News reports that on October twenty-third, twenty twenty-five, Secretary Wright sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directing them to start a rulemaking process under Section four zero three of the Department of Energy Organization Act. This proposal aims to clarify that applications for preliminary permits for hydropower projects cannot be denied solely due to opposition from third parties, including tribes. Wright argued in his letter that such permits grant no land-disturbing or property rights and only allow feasibility studies, stating that recent denials based on opposition cannot align with federal law.Navajo community groups oppose the change, according to Tribal Business News. They worry it weakens tribal input on early-stage projects, potentially reopening pathways for three pumped storage proposals on Navajo Nation land near Kayenta. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had denied those permits in twenty twenty-four after tribal and local opposition. Advocates warn that limiting tribal voice could harm downstream communities and revive development pressures on Black Mesa, a region shaped by past coal mining.No major headlines or decisions from Secretary Wright appear in the past few days as of early April twenty twenty-six. Family Research Council press releases from late March mention other cabinet figures but nothing on Wright or housing policy. Current searches show no confirmation of him leading Housing and Urban Development.Thank you for tuning in, listeners. Please subscribe for more updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.