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Tribal officials raise concerns about transmission line crossing reservation; Secretary Justice opens dedicated email channel
Summary
Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice said she met with PSO and AEP leadership, sent a letter, and set up an email (neotep@cherokee.org) for citizen concerns about a transmission line slated to cross the north reservation; she told the council the project does not "trigger 106" because it lacks a federal nexus.
Tribal officials discussed community concerns about a proposed transmission line that would cross the northern part of the Cherokee Nation reservation.
"I have met with PSO and AEP leadership and expressed to them the situation with our citizens and how distraught the citizens are with the lack of communication that they've received," Christina Justice, Secretary of Natural Resources, told the council. She said she had sent a letter to AEP and PSO and has set up an email address specifically for project concerns: neotep@cherokee.org.
During questioning, Councillor Duke asked whether Section 106 review or monitoring requests would apply. Justice said the transmission-line project "doesn't trigger 106 because it doesn't have a federal nexus. It's not utilizing federal funds for that construction project, so it doesn't actually trigger." She added that government-relations staff are working to prevent any funding reductions that would affect tribal programs.
Justice recommended residents with concerns use the dedicated email and said her office is working through previously submitted inquiries. She emphasized ongoing engagement with the utilities and said the tribe will continue to press for clearer communication to affected citizens.
