Dear Friends,

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S FALLON FORUM

Check out what Senator Grassley had to say about the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions CO2 pipeline on a recent program sponsored by the Mason City Globe Gazette’s Capitol Digest. That conversation can be heard HERE, starting at 1:40 and ending at the 3:20-minute mark.

(Click HERE to read Bold Iowa’s summary of Grassley’s interview. It’s pretty clear that he supports the pipeline.)

After attending five public hearings on the proposed CO2 pipeline, I’ve got two take-aways to share:

EMINENT DOMAIN: Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) members have been notably evasive about answering a key question: Will the IUB follow the historic interpretation of eminent domain — i.e., strictly for public purposes like roads, power lines, water lines, gas lines, etc. — or will it deviate from that interpretation as it did with the Dakota Access Pipeline and allow eminent domain for a private corporation that provides no direct benefit to affected landowners?

CLIMATE CHANGE: One of Summit’s selling points is that the CO2 pipeline will help in the fight against climate change. That’s a bogus claim for a couple of reasons. First, the company refuses to say in writing that it will not use the carbon dioxide for additional oil extraction in North Dakota.

Second, CO2 already in the atmosphere is what needs to be sequestered. Merely capturing new emissions — especially if those are used to exploit more fossil fuels — will not solve our climate problem. It will, in fact, only continue to make matters worse.

CALL TO ACTION #1: If Senator Grassley holds an event near you, get there and ask him to take a stand on eminent domain for pipelines. Be persistent. Don’t let him dodge the question. If possible, capture video of the exchange and send it to me.

CALL TO ACTION #2: Let the IUB hear your voice! Bring your comments, questions, and concerns to the IUB by following these instructions on the Bold Iowa website.

And be sure to listen to THIS WEEK’S FALLON FORUM PODCAST. Here’s the program line-up:

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

Ed Fallon