Arizona Rightfully Taxed Power Plant on Tribal Land, SCOTUS Told

An energy plant on tribal land that is owned by a private company was rightfully subject to more than $20 million in state and local taxes because the levies didn’t interfere with federal or tribal interests, Arizona’s tax agency told the US Supreme Court on Friday.

Federal interests here aren’t present enough because the Bureau of Indian Affairs doesn’t closely regulate the plant, so the lack of government involvement means the taxes have nothing to interfere with, the Arizona Department of Revenue and Mohave County, Ariz. said in a brief. Tribal interests aren’t infringed because South Point Energy Center ...