Tag Archives: Dakota Access

Climate warnings from the North

July 11, 2019 by Ed Fallon
325 comments
Dear Friends, With human survival on the line, we all need to be as fully engaged as possible. There’s just no way to sugar-coat it: Earth’s climate news is not good, especially up North: Wildfires burned across the Arctic last month. Anchorage recorded a record-high temperature of 90 degrees. Greenland is seeing unprecedented ice melt. It’s easy to feel despair, but we can’t give up. The stakes are too high. Now more than ever, we need climate action at both the personal and political levels. Continue reading →

Dakota Access Proposes to Increase Oil Flowing Through Iowa

June 13, 2019 by Ed Fallon
35 comments
“Dakota Access’s proposal raises so many unanswered questions it is not possible for Bold Iowa, the general public, the IUB, nor concerned state and local elected officials to fully grasp the impact of the proposed expansion without adequate time and study. The involvement of landowners along the route, Story County residents, and all Iowans concerned about the broader impacts of the pipeline is essential. Thus, Bold Iowa requests that the IUB hold a public hearing in Story County where DA officials and IUB representatives are available to answer any and all questions from Iowans who have concerns about DA’s proposed expansion.”

Dakota Access Announces Pipeline Expansion

June 13, 2019 by Ed Fallon
No comments
Dear Friends, As predicted, Dakota Access (DA) announced yesterday that it wants to increase the amount of oil flowing through its pipeline across Iowa. DA claims it needs no additional authorization from the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to proceed. Bold Iowa disagrees. Today, we filed the following request with the IUB. We need YOU to take action, too. Here’s our five-step action request, which should take you about half an hour. It’s important, and your voice is needed NOW! 1. Read Dakota Access’s filing. 2. 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 →

Jury finds two protesters guilty of trespass during pipeline construction

October 24, 2017 by Emma Schmit
26 comments
Link to original article: http://thegraphic-advocate.com/content/jury-finds-two-protesters-guilty-trespass-during-pipeline-construction Coverage by The Graphic-Advocate, Rockwell City, Iowa, October 24, 2017 A six-person jury deliberated more than two hours Thursday evening before finding a Rockwell City woman and an Omaha man guilty of trespassing on a pipeline construction easement. Emma Schmit, of Rockwell City, and Tosun Mahmud Fitil, of Omaha, said they were disappointed with the verdict, which their attorney plans to appeal. “This is a clear case of the 1 percent versus the 99 percent,” Schmit said, referring to descriptions Continue reading →

Pipeline protester convicted of trespassing

October 4, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://thegraphic-advocate.com/content/pipeline-protester-convicted-trespassing Coverage by The Graphic-Advocate, Rockwell City, Iowa, October, 4, 2017 A second person who was arrested last fall for protesting the Dakota Access pipeline has been convicted of trespassing on the work site. A jury convicted Kriss Wells, 65, of Minneapolis, on the misdemeanor charge after a brief deliberation. Five witnesses, including Wells, took the stand in the trial – three were law enforcement officers who testified about how Wells stepped on to the disturbed soil within Dakota Access pipeline’s Continue reading →

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

August 22, 2017 by Emma Schmit
2 comments
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 →

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
One comment
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 →