Pipeline hearing begins

Worries about the future of Iowa’s farmland were contrasted with hopes of union laborers at the first day of what is expected to be about a monthlong hearing on the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline.
The Iowa Utilities Board began its formal proceedings with about eight hours of public testimony, alternating between project supporters – primarily union members, more than half of whom came from out of state – and opponents, many of whom said they or their families own land in the path of the 348-mile pipeline that would cross Iowa from the northwest to the southeast. About 32 miles of pipeline are planned for construction in Calhoun County.
Mary Clearwater of Rockwell City spoke at the hearing, which was broadcast live online, after lunch.
“I oppose (the pipeline) because of all the impaction of the soil,” Clearwater said. “I’m also against it because of the risk of leaking. I feel that the company tries, but I don’t think there’s any way you can stop accidents. If it gets into our rivers and drainage tiles, it would go down to Des Moines, the Water Works, all that.”
Read more in the Nov. 18 edition.