Dear Friends,
Last week, Bold Iowa achieved a small victory in regard to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Dakota Access wants to drastically increase the flow of oil across Iowa — from 570,000 barrels per day to 1.1 million!
The carbon emissions from this increased capacity would be the equivalent of thirty coal-fired power plants. Our planet simply can’t take any more. The only path to sanity and survival is to leave the oil in the ground and quickly reduce our fossil-fuel consumption to net zero.
Video of massive protests in Hong Kong, from TIME.
Increasingly, the oil running through Iowa is destined for overseas markets. Earlier this year, the US daily export volume of oil increased to a record 3.6 million barrels per day!
China is rapidly becoming the largest buyer of US crude oil. Yet how many Iowans feel good about our indirect role in supporting the Chinese regime — an oppressive government with a horrible track record of human rights abuses? If you need a reminder, check out the massive protests in Hong Kong this month.
Dakota Access feels it needs neither permission nor public input to increase capacity. We strongly disagree. In a letter to the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) on June 13, Bold Iowa raised numerous concerns about the proposed expansion.
Submit a letter by July 2 asking the board NOT to approve Dakota Access’ request to double the flow of oil through Iowa. (Reference Docket No. HLP-2014-0001. The IUB’s process is cumbersome, so if you run into any snags, contact me at [email protected].)
To its credit, the IUB is pushing back against Dakota Access. In its June 21 order, the IUB required Dakota Access to provide:
“a. The dates for each improvement and the increase in capacity that is associated with each improvement.
“b. The total capacity that is intended for the pipeline when all improvements are completed.
“c. Whether the improvements require uprating of the maximum allowable operating pressure.
“d . Whether the improvements require any field, ground work, or other activity on the pipeline or pipeline valve easements.
“e . Whether the increased capacity, or any changes to the pumping station, main pipeline, or valves, affect the coverage of the insurance policies, and describe any notice that has been provided to the insurance carriers regarding the same.
“f. Any filing or notification provided to the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, or the Federal Energy Regulatory administration regarding increased capacity of the pipeline or the improvements.
“g. Whether the improvements to the pumping station require an electric transmission line upgrade or a new line.”
The fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline has been long and exhausting. We may have combat fatigue, but we can’t give up. Keep the pressure on by sending a letter to the IUB this week. Thank you!
Ed Fallon