Dear Friends,

LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S FALLON FORUM. We discuss the US Supreme Court, choice, elections, climate, CO2 pipelines, and new data about America’s obesity problem. My guests are Joseph Glazebrook, Leah Redwood, Mark Clipsham, and Kathy Byrnes. It’s a great line-up of deep thinkers and doers.

During four years of haggling with representatives of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), it became pretty clear to me when the company was lying. (Check out my blog posts dating back to March 1, 2015.)

With the CO2 pipeline now proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, lying got off to an early start this month. Summit presents itself as an ally in the fight against climate change, claiming its pipeline will capture carbon equivalent to the emissions of 2.6 million cars each year.

We’ll examine that claim another time. The lie I want to expose today is Summit’s assertion that CO2 transported to North Dakota would be stored underground and NOT used for fracking.

At a recent public hearing in Story County I questioned company officials about this. Listen to their response in this video shot by Kathy Byrnes:

Summit’s refusal to provide assurance verbally or in writing that the CO2 will not be used for fracking is a clear indicator of its plans. Statements such as:

“As we stand here today,”

“We can’t make the promise long term,” and

“Commercial options might be available that are different than storing it underground,”

are all rock-solid indicators that CO2 from Iowa ethanol plants will be used for fracking — or what the industry calls “enhanced oil recovery.”

So much for taking 2.6 million cars off the road. So much for giving a damn about the climate crisis.

I have many concerns about the Summit pipeline, including the use of eminent domain to build it. More on that soon. In the meantime, if you’re able, attend a public hearing near you and let me know how it goes. Take notes. Shoot video. Ask tough questions. It’s important!

HERE’S THE SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS.

Thanks for reading, and please share this message with others. — Ed Fallon

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

Ed Fallon