American Indian delegation to Washington urges clean energy

[NVMojo]

WASHINGTON - A coalition of American Indians recently lobbied Congress for clean energy and a halt to the long-held tradition of making Indian country a dumping ground for nuclear waste, disease-producing coal mines and power plants that destroy the environment.

''American Indians and Alaska Natives disproportionately suffer health and environmental damage from the cradle to the grave of the nuclear fuel chain,'' Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, told the National Press Club on April 5. ''Locating high-level radioactive waste facilities on Indian lands violates the trust responsibility of the United States government, federal laws and treaties, and is an extreme example of the continuing environmental racist policies against Indian people.''

American Indians urged Congress to reject the energy bill again, saying it was essentially the same controversial, pro-industry bill favored by the White House that failed to pass in previous years - and instead initiate legislation to cut levels of greenhouse gases, promote energy efficiency and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

more....

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410749