Author Archives: Emma Schmit

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs “sabotage” bill into law

April 17, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/gov-kim-reynolds-signs-sabotage-bill-into-law-20180417 Coverage by The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 17, 2018 Any person who intentionally damages or tries to damage infrastructure deemed critical to the safety and economic well-being of Iowans could face a criminal charge carrying a 25-year prison term and a fine of up to $100,000effective July 1 under legislation signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds. The bill, Senate File 2235, which was among 11 measures that won gubernatorial approval, would pertain to acts of sabotage committed Continue reading →

Earth Day Celebration

April 9, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Help us celebrate Earth Day in style! Join us on Friday, April 20, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 3000 N 4th Ave E. Celebrate while supporting Project Awake/Newton Arboretum and Bold Iowa. The day includes art by Cat Rickers for purchase, food by Bistro on Broad, live music by Central Iowa’s Aaron Earl Short with Mattingly & Robinson, and comments by Bold Iowa’s Ed Fallon.  Click here for details and schedule. Order of Events: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Gathering music and Conversation 6:00 p.m. – Unveiling Continue reading →

Infrastructure “sabotage” bill to governor

April 3, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Link to article: www.qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/infrastructure-sabotage-bill-to-governor/article_d94ca722-62b4-5df6-b261-4057c22b4ca9.html Coverage by The Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa, April 3, 2018 Those who intentionally damage or try to damage infrastructure deemed critical to the safety and economic well-being of Iowans could face a criminal charge carrying a 25-year prison term and a fine of up to $100,000 under a bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday and sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds. Senate File 2235, which passed 35-13, would pertain to acts of sabotage committed against critical infrastructure or facilities related to Continue reading →

Pipeline sabotage bill sent to Iowa governor; sponsor says it would go after ‘bad dudes,’ not peaceful protesters

April 3, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/03/pipeline-sabotage-bill-sent-iowa-gov-reynolds-sponsor-says-would-go-after-bad-dudes-not-peaceful-pro/480319002/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, April 3, 2018 Criminal sabotage of Iowa pipelines, telecommunications facilities, water treatment plants and other critical infrastructure could result in long prison sentences and large fines under a measure the Senate sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds Tuesday. Senate File 2235 passed on a 35-13 vote Tuesday. The Iowa House approved it 69-31 earlier. The Republican-led Senate rejected an amendment that would have made it clear the legislation would not ban picketing or other public demonstrations. Sen. Tom Shipley, R-Nodaway, Continue reading →

First Nation – Farmer Climate Unity March

March 31, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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September 1 – 8, 2018 Landowners who had their property taken by force for the Dakota Access Pipeline have joined with the Iowa Sierra Club in a lawsuit against the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). They allege that the IUB illegally allowed Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) to use eminent domain to build the Dakota Access Pipeline. Their case is strong and has potentially historic significance. To raise awareness of the importance of this lawsuit, Bold Iowa and Indigenous Iowa are organizing an eight-day, 90-mile march. Fifty Continue reading →

“Stop Eminent Domain Abuse” Roadshow

March 30, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Bold Iowa and its partners are bringing a community forum to many towns across Iowa. Scroll down to see dates and locations. The community forums will highlight two items: First, learn about the historic eminent domain lawsuit before the Iowa Supreme Court, filed by landowners along the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Iowa Sierra Club. For detail on the case, see Supreme Court No. 17-0423. Second, view “Crossing the Divide”, a documentary by Ralph King. The documentary is about the 2017 Climate Continue reading →

Call to Action – Pipeline Sabotage Bill

March 17, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Over the past two weeks, calls, emails and meetings with lawmakers have made a huge difference in the debate about SF 2235 / HF 2394 — the pipeline bill backed by Energy Transfer Partners (ETP). SF 2235 passed the Senate in February but HF 2394 has stalled in the House. Now some Senators who supported SF 2235 are having second thoughts. We’re making progress! ETP hopes SF 2235 / HF 2394 will legitimize the Dakota Access Pipeline as “critical infrastructure” because, if the bill passes, Continue reading →

Lobby at Home for Energy Efficiency

March 17, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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SF2311, also known as the Energy Efficiency bill, is still up for debate in the Iowa House. We need your help standing up to this bad bill. From removing energy efficiency rebates to reducing the IUB’s oversight of energy utility monopolies, we know SF2311 will hurt everyday Iowans while creating massive profit for utility companies like MidAmerican and Alliant. It is up to use to kill the bill. Please contact your state Representative and urge them to vote NO on SF2311. You can read the Continue reading →

Iowa pipeline protesters target Super Bowl stadium

February 1, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2018/02/01/iowa-environmentalists-heading-super-bowl-protest-dakota-access-pipeline/1087402001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, February 1, 2018 Iowa environmentalists will flock to the site of Super Bowl LII this weekend to protest the Dakota Access pipeline. Bold Iowa director Ed Fallon said his group would join Indigenous Iowa and others from across the Midwest to protest the four-state pipeline ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl LII game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The activists are accusing U.S. Bank of financing the $3.8 billion pipeline project, which Continue reading →