CCI blasts Branstad on hypocritical critique of Big Oil
On Big Oil, Governor Branstad Wants to Have His Cake and Eat it Too
CCI members blast governor for recent hypocritical critique of Big Oil given his neutrality on the Bakken Pipeline
Today members of Iowa CCI blasted the Governor for hypocrisy given his faith in the Iowa Utilities Board’s permitting process on the controversial Bakken Pipeline. This is in stark contrast to his comments at a recent meeting with EPA officials on the Renewable Fuel Standard.
At the meeting, Governor Branstand issued a strong statement about putting the interests of rural economies before the profits of Big Oil by saying, “The EPA has a choice: protect the deep pockets of Big Oil and their monopolistic practices or nurture consumer choice, renewable energy growth, and a healthy rural economy.”
“If Governor Brandstad is truly concerned about renewable energy growth, why doesn't he speak up against the proposed Bakken Pipeline through Iowa?” asked Dick Lamb, CCI member who owns land in the pipeline’s path in Boone County. “Not only would our state endorse Big Oil by allowing this pipeline, Iowa landowners would actually be forced to subsidize it through eminent domain seizure of their land."
To date, Governor Branstad has said very little about the proposal, beyond trusting in the Iowa Utilities Board’s hazardous liquid pipeline permitting process. In October 2014, his spokesperson Jimmy Centers said, “Gov. Branstad believes Iowans deserve to have their voices heard on the proposed pipeline. Ultimately, the Iowa Utilities Board, not the governor, will rule on the proposal, but only after Iowans have had the opportunity to share their opinions."
CCI members contend that this is insufficient to protect the best interest of Iowans. The Bakken Pipeline is unprecedented, and the IUB has done little to protect Iowans, and has instead done the work of serving the oil company’s construction schedule. CCI members also noted that the Governor’s words demonstrate that he is only taking a strong stance against Big Oil to serve his own interest, not the interest of Iowans.
“Governor Branstad’s comments reveal that he is simply serving his own entrenched corporate self-interest.” said Cherie Mortice, CCI Board President and retired teacher from Des Moines. “The hypocrisy of his recent critique of Big Oil given his neutrality on the Bakken Pipeline shows that he is setting a political double standard when it comes down to what is good for Iowans.”
Ultimately, the Governor cannot retain credibility with his comments without taking a strong stance against the Bakken Pipeline. If Governor Branstad hopes to make himself out to be a champion of renewable energy and rural economies against the interests of Big Oil, he cannot remain silent on the proposed Bakken Pipeline.
This proposal will only further enrich the already deep pockets of Big Oil at the expense of everyday Iowans. Iowa CCI will be joining Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition partners at the Iowa Utilities Board to deliver more than 2,000 objections to staff on July 9th at 10 AM.
Iowa CCI is part of a growing number of organizations, landowners, and everyday citizens across the state committed to stopping the proposed Bakken Pipeline alongside the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition. Iowa CCI is currently planning community meetings across the state in the counties impacted by the proposed Bakken Pipeline.
Iowa CCI is a statewide, grassroots people’s action group that uses community organizing to win public policy that puts communities before corporations and people before profits, politics, and polluters. CCI has been fighting to put people first for 40 years. Join us at our 40th Birthday Bash on October 2nd and 3rd to hear from great speakers and enjoy food, fun, and camaraderie. For more information, visit www.iowacci.org.