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.
A march and rally was held on December 15, 2016, to bring attention to the case when it was first heard at the county level.
Here’s what the Iowa Supreme Court’s website says about the case: “The district court denied petitions for judicial review of the Iowa Utilities Board’s (IUB) decision to grant a permit to Dakota Access, LLC, for the construction of a hazardous liquid pipeline pursuant to Iowa Code ch. 479B. On appeal, the petitioners argue the district court erred in affording the IUB the authority to define the term “public convenience and necessity” under Iowa Code § 479B.9 and in affirming the IUB’s determination that the pipeline would promote public convenience and necessity. The appellants further argue Dakota Access’s exercise of eminent domain violated the Iowa and United States Constitutions, as well as Iowa Code §§ 6A.21 and 6A.22. The appellants further argue the district court and the IUB erred in denying the claims of two landowners that the pipeline should be rerouted to avoid their properties.”
We have no idea whether the Court will rule in our favor or against us, nor can we predict what nuances might be involved in the ruling. Either way, there will be a response. Stay tuned.
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In other news, June 9 is shaping up to be another big day for climate action in Iowa. That day, the Iowa Democratic Party hosts its Hall of Fame Celebration at 2:00 p.m. in Cedar Rapids. Seventeen presidential candidates will be there. In my work as a budding beekeeper, we call that a swarm.
Where there’s a swarm of politicians, there’s Bold Iowa’s Climate Bird Dogs (and occasionally penguins). We’re planning a unique action and need a great turnout to maximize the impact of our message. At 1:00 p.m., we’ll host the Climate Hall of Fame Awards in front of the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids, 350 1st Ave NE. Six climate awards will be presented to candidates as follows:
1. MVP (Most Vocal Proponent) Award
2. Rookie of the Year Award
3. Most Improved Politician Award
4. Friend of Fracking Award
5. DAPL Dodger Award
6. [name of the final award TBD]
Please come. Please spread the word. In addition to our 1:00 event, we’ll bird-dog other candidate events in Cedar Rapids that day.
Here’s the link to our Facebook event.
Here’s the link to the press release.
Here’s a flier you can help circulate. Thank you!
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Proving that there’s no rest for the wicked and even less rest for the good, President Donald Trump descends on West Des Moines Tuesday, June 11. Not to be outdone, Joe Biden will be in Iowa the same day, and also on June 12. That’s all I know so far. But this much is certain:
CLIMATE BIRD DOGS MUST BE AT BOTH EVENTS!
Let me know by responding to this email if you’re interested in participating in any and all of these upcoming actions. Keep fighting, because when the choice is between survival and extinction, there is no choice.
Ed Fallon