“Iowans do what’s best for others in their communities. The use of eminent domain for this pipeline does the opposite. This pipeline is good for Energy Transfer Partners, and bad for Iowans. Senator Gronstal, bring Senate File 506 to a vote before the damage has been done.”
Kathy Holdefer – Community Member of Jasper County
Local Iowan Kathy Holdefer spoke candidly toward Michael Gronstal, the Senate Majority Leader during the early afternoon on Wednesday this week. Holdefer represents many fellow Iowans, many of whom also had the opportunity to speak up during the press conference, making sure that their government could hear what they have to say. This issue goes beyond just listening. The people of Iowa are the constituents of the congressmen and women that have been elected by Iowans for decades. It is a legislators responsibility to listen, and act upon the concerns of their constituents, their neighbors, their fellow Iowans. By bringing Senate File 506 to the floor for a vote, legislators would be able to help their neighbors all over the state continue to feel comfortable with their land, promote their agricultural heritages, and in some cases, the security of their livelihood. The press conference showed how many different Iowans are concerned about the construction of the pipeline, from farmers like Dan Gannon of Jasper County to Nathan Malachowski from the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.
The world “risk” was thrown around a lot at the press conference, and for good reason. Is it guaranteed that the oil extracted from the Bakken Pipeline will be used in America? No. Will the Energy Transfer Partners help local farm owners after an oil spill occurs on their property for the third, forth, fifth time? No. It is hard to see any reward for Iowans when it comes to the construction of the Bakken Pipeline, and the Iowa Legislature needs to consider these risks and many more when examining Senate File 506.
This post is authored by Kate McCoshen, Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition Communications Intern.