Opponents of the Keystone XL and Bakken pipelines hold signs Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, on the Third Avenue Bridge in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Opponents of the Keystone XL and Bakken pipelines hold signs Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, on the Third Avenue Bridge in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

UPDATE – Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015:

Here is an update from today’s event in Des Moines, from the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition:

Iowans gathered at the Iowa Utilities Board Conference, Room 1 on Wednesday, February 4th to announce the launch of the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition.

Iowans from 19 groups representing landowners, community members, non-profits, and interest groups have joined together to stop the proposed Bakken pipeline. Representing over 10,000 people, the coalition’s groups are standing up for Iowa’s soil, water, communities, and the health of future generations.

The Coalition is united to stop the proposed Bakken crude oil pipeline that would cross 18 of Iowa’s counties and major rivers including the North Raccoon River, Des Moines River, South Skunk River and Mississippi River.

“This pipeline in our ground and waterways would be a giant step backward for a state that prides itself in smart economic and environmental investments. As an Iowa landowner – but more so as an Iowan – I urge everyone to learn more about how this pipeline would affect our land, our communities, and our overall health,” said Kathy Holdefer, Jasper County landowner. “According to every expert I’ve consulted, claims of positive impact by Dakota Access, LLC, are overstated, and their claims for harm are grossly understated. The Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition is a fantastic resource for those who want to learn more and take action.”

The Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition emphasized that Iowa should not invest in out-dated technology and infrastructure such as the Bakken pipeline, which would be 10 times larger than the carrying capacity of the Bakken pipeline that burst under the Yellowstone River on January 17th in Montana. The coalition partners represent thousands of people who believe that Iowa’s legacy should be renewable energy, not risky oil.

“This proposed Bakken oil pipeline would originate in the Bakken region of North Dakota and carry up to 570,000 barrels per day of dangerous crude that was produced through fracking,” said Iowa-based Organizer for Food & Water Watch, Matt Ohloff. “This proposed pipeline is bad for Iowa, and the Iowa Utilities Board and Governor Branstad must reject this pipeline application.”

Andrea Basche of the Iowa State University Sustainable Agriculture Student Association added, “This pipeline is one more project that sets our energy future in the wrong direction and continues on a path that leaves future generations with a larger carbon debt. Where is the justice in that? We know the future we need is less carbon, so why wait to get started.”

The Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition is a growing grassroots coalition of landowners, community members, non-profit organizations, and interest groups united to stop the construction of the proposed Bakken Pipeline.


Coalition partners include: 100 Grannies for a Livable Future, 1000 Friends of Iowa, Allamakee County Protectors, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Drake Environmental Action League, Food & Water Watch, Iowa Audubon Society, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Iowa Climate Advocates, Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, Iowa Pipeline Abatement Group, Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Iowa State University ActivUs, Iowa State University Sustainable Agriculture Student Association, No Bakken Here, Science & Environmental Health Network, Sierra Club (Iowa Chapter), Women, Food & Agriculture Network, and Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom.

Feb. 2, 2015 – The Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. this Wednesday, February 4, to announce the group’s formation.

Dakota Access, LLC, is developing the 1,134-mile pipeline to transport crude oil  from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota through 17 counties in Iowa, running at a diagonal from northwest Iowa, passing through Polk County in central Iowa and to counties in southeast Iowa before ending in Illinois.

See more background about the project here and read on for the announcement from the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition, below:

You are invited to join us as we announce the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition, a growing grassroots coalition of landowners, community members, non-profit organizations, and interest groups united to stop the construction of the proposed Bakken Pipeline. Our coalition represents thousands of people that care about clean water, productive soil and a healthy future for Iowa.

We will meet at the Iowa Utilities Board office, 1375 East Court Avenue, Des Moines in conference room 1, on first floor, south wing. Please enter by the main entrance on the west side of the building. Parking is available in the lots west and southwest of the building.

Our website, nobakken.com has facts, maps and resources that explain the serious consequences related to building this crude oil pipeline under 348 miles of Iowa farmland, rivers, lakes and creeks. Please educate yourself about this project and talk with your neighbors and friends. Today’s children and future generations are depending on us to keep this explosive toxic oil out of Iowa.

The Bakken Pipeline Proposal: The Texas-based oil company, Energy Transfer Partners has submitted a permit to the Iowa Utilities Board requesting eminent domain to build a crude oil pipeline cutting through 348 miles of Iowa land and water. This pipeline puts our soil, water, and communities at risk. We have the opportunity to get involved and influence a decision that will affect generations to come.

Next Steps: The Iowa Utilities Board will determine if the proposed Bakken crude oil pipeline will provide public convenience and necessity. The Iowa Supreme Court has defined “public convenience and necessity” as meaning that Iowans will be served by the pipeline.

What you can do today:  If you believe this pipeline will NOT serve Iowans, please submit your comments to the Iowa Utilities Board, include: Docket Number HLP-2014-0001 and submit on their website: https://efs.iowa.gov/efs/#Comments OR by mail:  Executive Secretary, Iowa Utilities Board, 1375 East Court Avenue, Room 69, Des Moines, IA 50319-0069.