A bill to lease tribal land for energy development?

A bill that could speed up the process to lease tribal lands for energy development — such as mineral and renewable energy exploration — is waiting on a vote from the U.S. Senate.

The bill, introduced last October by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Sept. 13.

The bill aims to modify a section of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which tried but failed to give tribes more control over leasing and business agreements on tribal land and accelerate the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs’ leasing process.

Arizona energy bill would give lawmakers a say in state energy policy

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are moving to grab control of energy policy from state utility regulators in a political turf fight over the future of Arizona's solar power industry.

A bill co-sponsored by 30 Republican lawmakers would make any new policy guidelines or rule changes by the Arizona Corporation Commission subject to approval by the Legislature and the governor.

Supporters of the proposal say it would help protect consumers from unnecessary surcharges. But critics say the plan threatens the growth of the state's solar industry.