Court rules against people, planet, property rights

May 31, 2019 by Ed Fallon
341 comments
Dear Friends, For those of us who have fought Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) and the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) for nearly five years, today is a sad day. This morning, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that ETP had the right to forcibly take Iowans’ land for an export crude oil pipeline. And make no mistake: DAPL is an export pipeline. While I’ve yet to find anyone, even inside the oil industry, who can tell me exactly how much of the oil is destined for export, it’s Continue reading →

Pipeline Ruling Expected Tomorrow!!!

May 30, 2019 by Ed Fallon
No comments
Dear Friends, The Iowa Supreme Court ruling we’ve long-expected will likely be issued tomorrow, Friday, May 31. The case is titled “Puntenney v. Iowa Utils. Bd.,” and the Court’s decision will be viewable online at this link. Kudos to the landowners and the Iowa Sierra Club for investing so much time and money in pursuing the case. Their persistence and dedication is for all of us. Here’s what the Iowa Supreme Court’s website says about the case: “The district court denied petitions for judicial review Continue reading →

Farewell, LaVerne Johnson

April 11, 2019 by Ed Fallon
345 comments
Dear Friends, Sadly, those of us fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) lost one of our strongest allies this week. LaVerne Johnson died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday. My heart goes out to his wife, family, and closest friends — though he will be missed by more people than he would have imagined. I first met Vern four years ago this month, when I walked the proposed Iowa route of DAPL. Recalling my first conversation with Vern always brings back a smile. In the most Continue reading →

Another win in the courts

February 19, 2019 by Ed Fallon
469 comments
Dear Friends, Whew! Just when I was starting to fret about how we pipeline fighters were going to come up with $900 million, a federal judge swoops in and saves the day. Two years ago, Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) sued a whole bunch of pipeline opponents, seeking nearly a billion dollars in damages! On Valentine’s Day (for what that’s worth), District Judge Billy Roy Wilson dismissed the lawsuit. This is a big deal and sends the message that big corporations with seemingly bottomless pockets shouldn’t Continue reading →

ETP lawsuit dismissed by federal judge

February 19, 2019 by Ed Fallon
18 comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2019 — 1:00 p.m. CT Contact: Ed Fallon at (515) 238-6404 or [email protected] LAWSUIT CITING BOLD IOWA DISMISSED BY FEDERAL JUDGE Allegations against us were absurd, claims Bold Iowa’s leader Des Moines, IA — Bold Iowa’s director, Ed Fallon, today praised US District Court Judge Roy Billy Wilson for his ruling on February 14, 2019, to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) on August 22, 2017, against a handful of organizations, including Bold Iowa, who continue to Continue reading →

DAPL lion underestimates Iowa Lambs

January 17, 2019 by Ed Fallon
438 comments
For those who feel Big Oil always gets its way, think again. In a battle of Lamb vs. Lion (read on and you’ll see what I mean), the little guy and gal just accomplished something impressive. When the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) was still under discussion, most Iowa landowners I met as I walked the pipeline route were against it. In the end, many signed voluntary easements — not because they wanted to but because they felt they had no choice. Dick and Judy Lamb, Continue reading →

IUB holds DAPL accountable on insurance policy

December 28, 2018 by Ed Fallon
426 comments
Dear Friends, Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) opponents have had our share of criticism for how the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has often handled matters. Most important, we feel strongly that the IUB never should have issued DAPL a permit in the first place — and we remain cautiously optimistic that the Iowa Supreme Court will concur when it issues its decision on the landowner/Sierra Club lawsuit. But to give credit where credit is due, today’s order from the IUB (see full text below) is commendable. Continue reading →

Pipeline opponents praise IUB decision on insurance

October 17, 2018 by Ed Fallon
No comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 11:00 a.m. CT Contact: Ed Fallon at (515) 238-6404 or [email protected] Contact: Christine Nobiss at (319) 331-8034 or [email protected] Pipeline opponents praise IUB decision on insurance Ruling clarifies DAPL must have $25 million for possible oil spill in Iowa Des Moines, Iowa —  In a decision favoring petitions filed by the Northwest Iowa Landowners Association (NILA) and the Iowa Sierra Club, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) ruled yesterday that, “Dakota Access, LLC, shall file information describing how it Continue reading →

IUB ruling on DAPL liability (Oct 16, 2018)

October 17, 2018 by Ed Fallon
One comment
STATE OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UTILITIES BOARD IN RE: DAKOTA ACCESS, LLC DOCKET NO. HLP-2014-0001 ORDER REGARDING INSURANCE POLICIES (Issued October 16, 2018) PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND On March 10, 2016, the Utilities Board (Board) issued its “Final Decision and Order” in this docket, granting a hazardous liquid pipeline permit to Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access), pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 479B. Among other conditions, the order required Dakota Access to maintain at least $25,000,000 in general liability insurance at all times while the pipeline is Continue reading →

Call to action to stop another pipeline across Iowa!

October 10, 2018 by Ed Fallon
74 comments
In a world where it seems that most news is bad news, I’m sorry to have to pile on. But it’s better to know the truth than to live in denial — and if the truth doesn’t always set you free, it at least let’s you know what you’re up against and gives you a fighting chance to push back. So, here’s the bad news: Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) is planning to lay a second pipeline across Iowa! Last week, I received an anonymous call Continue reading →