Iowa protest groups accused in federal lawsuit by Dakota Access pipeline developer

August 22, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/08/22/dakota-access-pipeline-federal-lawsuit-iowa-groups/590538001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, August 22, 2017 The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has filed a sweeping federal lawsuit that includes allegations of participation in a criminal enterprise against three Iowa activist groups, including the Sierra Club, Bold Iowa, and Mississippi Stand. Energy Transfer Partners of Dallas, Texas, listed the lawsuit’s defendants as Greenpeace International, Earth First!, BankTrack, and other organizations and individuals. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in North Dakota and seeks damages of not less than $1 billion. Continue reading →

Activists: $1M rally insurance policy puts First Amendment rights ‘in peril’

August 15, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://www.kcci.com/article/activists-oppose-rule-mandating-dollar1m-insurance-for-rallies/12014028 Coverage by KCCI, Des Moines, Iowa, August 15, 2017 Activists in Des Moines are pushing back against a rule by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services requiring groups to obtain a $1 million insurance policy before rallying at the Statehouse. Groups are afraid that if monetary restrictions are put on who can rally at the Statehouse, smaller groups with important messages will get lost. “If they really want to push this there’s going to be a huge fight on their Continue reading →

Environmentalist Ed Fallon weighs in on EPA

August 13, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original video: whotv.com/2017/08/13/the-insiders-august-13th-edition-environmentalist-ed-fallon-weighs-in-on-epa/ Coverage by WHO, Des Moines, Iowa, August 13, 2017 DES MOINES, Iowa — Scott Pruitt’s EPA plans have their critics, and environmentalists question whether he’ll put interests and profits for big corporations over Mother Nature. Dave Price discusses this topic with Ed Fallon, the former Democratic state legislator and state director of Bold Iowa.

Dakota Access Pipeline protester found guilty: Court takes judicial notice of DNR position on climate change

July 7, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://www.messengernews.net/news/local-news/2017/07/dakota-access-pipeline-protester-found-guilty/ Coverage by The Fort Dodge Messenger, Fort Dodge, Iowa, July 7, 2017 A pipeline protester has been found guilty of trespassing after a jury trial in Calhoun County Thursday. Heather Pearson, of Logan, was one of the protesters who entered land being worked on by Dakota Access LLC on Oct. 29, 2016, as the company was building an oil pipeline across four states, including Iowa. Although she admitted being on the land, Pearson and her defense attorneys claimed she was Continue reading →

Dakota Access Pipeline opponents to rally Saturday at Iowa State Capitol

June 29, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://wnax.com/news/180081-dakota-access-pipeline-opponents-to-rally-saturday-at-iowa-state-capital/ Coverage by WNAX, Yankton, South Dakota, June 29, 2017 Dakota Access Pipeline opponents are gearing up for rally in Des Moines on Saturday. The event is co sponsored by BOLD Iowa and the Indigenous Iowa Network. BOLD Iowa Executive Director Ed Fallon says while a recent North Dakota Judge’s decision stopped movement of the pipeline there, other moves to oppose the project are continuing including a call to action at the rally. He says eminent domain concerns of Iowa landowners Continue reading →

Dakota Access Pipeline reprimanded by Iowa regulators for lack of liability insurance

June 12, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/12/dakota-access-pipeline-failed-to-provide-iowa-regulators-proof-25-million-liability-insurance/388651001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, June 12, 2017 The Iowa Utilities Board has reprimanded the Dakota Access Pipeline for failing to comply with a state order to show that at least $25 million in general liability insurance is in place to protect the public from possible oil leaks and spills. A Dakota Access spokeswoman said over the weekend  the company has the required insurance in hand. But a pipeline opponent complained Monday that intervention by Iowa regulators should not have been needed Continue reading →

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 →