Oil is flowing in the Dakota Access Pipeline, but Iowa opponents still think they can shut it down

June 6, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/06/oil-flowing-dakota-access-pipeline-iowa-shutdown/373315001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, June 6, 2017 Although oil has begun flowing through the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, Iowa activists aren’t giving up their battle against the $3.8 billion project. The 30-inch diameter pipeline started commercially shipping oil on June 1 and has a capacity to transport about 520,000 barrels of oil daily. But appeals are still pending with the Iowa Supreme Court that opponents see as offering glimmers of hope that the pipeline can still be shut down. “If any of these Continue reading →

Military-style tactics used against Dakota Access Pipeline protesters

May 27, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/28/report-military-style-tactics-used-against-dakota-access-pipeline-protesters/351734001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, May 27, 2017 An international security firm targeted protesters opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline with military-style counter-terrorism measures and closely collaborated with law enforcement authorities in five states, including Iowa, according to a report published Saturday by a non-profit watchdog journalism organization. The Intercept, a publication of First Look Media, reported that TigerSwan, founded by retired members of the U.S. military’s Delta Force unit, was employed by Energy Transfer Partners, the parent Continue reading →

New Iowa Utilities Board conflict revealed as Dakota Access Pipeline request denied

May 21, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/05/21/new-iowa-utilities-board-conflict-revealed-dakota-access-pipeline-request-denied/332720001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, May 21, 2017 Tuesday, the Iowa Supreme Court sided with nine landowners and the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, by rejecting Dakota Access’ request to have the landowners’ lawsuit dismissed. The court’s order reads: “Dakota Access contends this appeal should be dismissed because the appellant, Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, has failed to establish proper standing in this matter and the remaining appellants’ claims are moot. Upon consideration, the motion to dismiss is Continue reading →

How a confrontation with a Confederate flag compelled two Iowans to find common ground

April 29, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/04/29/he-had-confederate-flag-they-called-cops/307780001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, April 29, 2017 All Darrin Ehret knew was that a group of environmentalists planned to march through Deep River Township and camp overnight in Silverman Park, directly behind his property. “We just didn’t know who they were,” he said. “It could have been anybody.” Word about the march was spreading around town. But details were scarce. And some feared the Saturday evening event would recruit radicals into town who planned to Continue reading →

Climate March across Iowa encounters mixed opinions on climate change

April 24, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: whotv.com/2017/04/24/climate-march-across-iowa-encounters-mixture-of-opinion-on-climate-change/ Coverage by WHO, Des Moines, Iowa, April 24, 2017 Ed Fallon has marched hundreds of miles in Iowa and other states for causes related to the environment and climate change, but he had never seen the unfriendly hand gestures that greeted him this week. Fallon, who serves as the director of Bold Iowa, organized this march. A group is going from Deep River, Iowa, to the State Capitol, marching 10-12 miles every day. Each night they hold a dinner and Continue reading →

Amid discourse, climate march aims for unity

April 21, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/tech/science/environment/2017/04/21/amid-discourse-climate-march-aims-unity/305834001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa April 21, 2017 In a world filled with conflict, an eight-day walk across Iowa aims to encourage the opposite all while talking about the earth’s climate – a sometimes controversial issue. The Climate Justice Unity March is an eight-day walk starting at Little Creek Camp in Williamsburg and ending in Des Moines on April 29 for the People’s Climate March at the Iowa State Capitol. It is being held by Bold Iowa, an environmental Continue reading →

Environmentalists call for change in transportation methods following NW Iowa ethanol train derailment

March 14, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: whotv.com/2017/03/14/environmentalists-calling-for-change-in-transportation-methods-following-nw-iowa-ethanol-train-detrailment/ Coverage by WHO, Des Moines, Iowa, March 14, 2017 More than 15,000 gallons of ethanol leaked into a creek in Northwestern Iowa following last week’s massive train derailment and gasoline explosion. On Monday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources pulled the remaining three cars from Jack Creek. Officials say 27 of the 101 train cars, which were carrying ethanol, derailed and caught fire Friday in rural Palo Alto County. The cars burned until Sunday forcing an evacuation for residents living Continue reading →

Magellan has 28 pipeline spills in Iowa. Will Dakota Access do better?

March 4, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2017/03/04/exclusive-company-has-28-pipeline-spills-iowa-since-2000/97402034 Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, March 4, 2017 The company whose pipeline dumped more than 46,000 gallons of diesel on northern Iowa farmland in January has had more spills than any other pipeline operator in the state over the past 16 years, according to a Des Moines Register analysis. Magellan Midstream Partners pipelines leaked 27 times in Iowa between 2000 and 2016, spewing tens of thousands of gallons of hazardous products, according to Iowa Department of Natural Resources Continue reading →

Calhoun County pipeline opponents stage protest at King’s office

February 28, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.thegraphic-advocate.com/content/calhoun-county-pipeline-opponents-stage-protest-king%E2%80%99s-office Coverage by The Graphic-Advocate, Rockwell City, Iowa, February 28, 2017 A group of Calhoun County residents who have opposed the Dakota Access pipeline gathered at U.S. Rep. Steve King’s Fort Dodge office last week to protest the project. The protest was part of a statewide protest, organized by Bold Iowa, with events that took place in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Grinnell, Iowa City, Newton, Sioux City and Omaha, Neb. Emma Schmit of Rockwell City said the Fort Dodge Continue reading →