Cities Embrace Climate Action, Big Oil Embraces Greenwashing

Dear Friends,

THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM: Cities Embrace Climate Action, Big Oil Embraces Greenwashing

I’ve got four requests for you this week. Come on, do at least two of them. Think of it as an early holiday gift to the planet:

ONE. Help former Exxon engineer-turned-climate-activist Dar-Lon Chang preserve the integrity of his net-zero community in Colorado. Sign his petition here. On this week’s program, we talk with Dar-Lon at the 8:45-minute mark.

TWO. Support the small businesses that support the Fallon Forum. Thank our anchor sponsor, Gateway Market, by purchasing Gateway gift cards for the cool people in your life.

THREE. Grow some food. Well, maybe not this month. But check out these two resources so you’re prepared to turn your yard into dinner next spring: Birds & Bees Urban Farm and FEED DSM (and thank you, Carl Voss, for your leadership in Des Moines and for joining us on this week’s program).

FOUR. Take action in response to the proposed CO2 pipelines (our conversation about that begins at the 27:30-minute mark). Yeah, that’ a pretty broad request. It includes:

* Educate yourself;
* Talk with people you know along the Summit and Navigator pipeline routes;
* Plan to attend one of the upcoming Navigator hearings;
* Write a letter to the editor of a paper in one of the affected counties;
* Share your concerns with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB).

Regarding that last item, here’s the letter I sent to the IUB this week on behalf of Bold Iowa. Feel free to borrow content, and contact me if you have questions or need additional information.

“Bold Iowa is deeply concerned about the appropriate use of eminent domain. The issue is important to me personally as well.

“As a former state lawmaker, preventing the misuse of eminent domain was one of my top legislative priorities. On at least two occasions during my time at the Statehouse, legislators voted with little dissent to add to the Iowa code further protections for landowners confronted with the threat of eminent domain. Legislators of both parties even voted to override Governor Vilsack’s veto of an eminent domain bill.

“Historically, lawmakers and the general public have viewed eminent domain as a tool to acquire private land for public purposes — roads, water lines, power lines, etc.

“With the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) ruling, the IUB deviated from that tradition, allowing eminent domain to be used by a private company for a private purpose. I remind you that the oil flowing through that pipeline provides no benefit or access to landowners living along the route, nor to residents of Iowa generally. Even the pipeline company’s argument that the oil would benefit Iowans when it comes back to the state as gasoline rings hollow, given that much of that oil is exported.

“My question: Will the IUB adhere to the commonly accepted and agreed-on use of eminent domain, or will it continue to move away from that in support of private companies?

“I asked a version of that question at four Summit hearings this fall without receiving an answer. The question is important. Thousands of affected landowners along both the Summit and Navigator CO2 pipeline routes deserve a response. Thank you.” — Ed Fallon

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LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S PODCAST HERE.

Also on this week’s program, Kathy Byrnes joins me for our Food and Farm segment with December Q&A.

You can also catch the Fallon Forum on these local affiliates:

– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
– KICI.LP 105.3 FM (Iowa City, Iowa)
– WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– KPIP-LP, 94.7 FM (Fayette, Missouri)
– KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, New Mexico)
– KRFP 90.3 FM (Moscow, Idaho)

Please support the local businesses and non-profits who make this program possible. Click on their logos on the Fallon Forum website and in our weekly email, and visit Dr. Drake Family Psychiatry, Story County Veterinary Clinic, Bold Iowa, and Birds & Bees Urban Farm.

Thanks for supporting the progressive alternative to the right-wing shock jocks!