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With the Keystone Pipeline finally laid to rest, the national coalition that helped secure victory must turn its attention to the Bakken Pipeline.
Don’t be fooled: Bakken is the replacement for Keystone – a fact that became crystal clear to me during my 400-mile walk along the pipeline’s proposed path earlier this year. Bakken’s ultimate target is Alberta’s tar-sands oil, not North Dakota’s “sweet” crude.
Four years ago when the battle to stop Keystone was engaged, scientists claimed that building Keystone would be “game over” for climate. If that’s true, Bakken is just as much a threat.
With Dakota Access pushing aggressively to build the Bakken line before opposition broadens beyond the four targeted states, the national coalition that stopped Keystone needs to engage immediately.
Can the grassroots coalitions in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois stop Bakken on their own? Perhaps. (In Iowa, visit Bakken Pipeline Resistance and No Bakken Here for daily updates.) But a broader coalition from across the country would be more powerful – and more likely to light a fire under state and federal officials.
So take a moment, both to celebrate our Keystone victory and to take the next step:
* Congratulate Bold Nebraska, who through incredible creativity and tenacity built an unstoppable coalition of ranchers, farmers, Native Americans, property-rights advocates, environmentalists and climate activists.
* Thank President Obama for his leadership in denying TransCanada’s request for a permit.
* Write to any national environmental, property rights, climate or land stewardship organization you’re affiliated with and tell them in the strongest possible terms to make Bakken the next target in stopping the expansion of fossil-fuel infrastructure.
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Ron Yarnell hosts the Fallon Forum this week. I’ll call-in from France to share an update on preparations for the walk from Normandy to Paris.
Also, Dan Kim joins Ron to discuss the upcoming Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, and Ron talks with Ben Yetter, who co-plays Spider-Man in the Justice Corps of Iowa.
Hear the Fallon Forum live Mondays 11:00-12:00 noon CST on KDLF 1260 AM (Des Moines) and online. Call (515) 528-8122 to add your voice to the conversation. The program re-broadcasts Wednesday on KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames) at 4:00 p.m. and Monday at 6:00 a.m. on WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans).
Ed Fallon
EVENTS
Now-December – Utilities Board deliberations pipeline (ND, SD, IA, IL) In Iowa, for details on the evolving schedule, visit https://iub.iowa.gov/. For questions on how you can have your voice heard in the process, contact Ed Fallon at fallonforum@gmail.com or the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Facebook Page.
November 11-28 – Walk to Paris for Climate Action (Normandy-Paris)
On 11 November (Veterans Day in the U.S.), Ed Fallon and Steve Martin (who last year walked across the U.S. for action on climate change) will set-out from the coast of Normandy, France, walking over 350 kilometers to arrive in Paris on November 28 for the start of the United Nations Climate Summit.
Thu, Nov 12 – Public Hearing on Bakken Pipeline (Boone)
Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the Iowa Utilities Board will hear public comments on the proposed Bakken Oil Pipeline. It’s at the community building at the Boone County Fairgrounds. All opponents of the pipeline will be given a chance to speak, and those who do not wish to speak are still encouraged to attend in solidarity with others. Car pooling options available. Contact NoBakkenHere@gmail.com.
Fri, Nov 13 – Panel discussion of “24 Hours of Reality” (Ames)At 12:00 noon on the ISU campus (exact location TBD). Students, professors and others will discuss the urgency and necessity of climate action, and also the economic feasibility of transitioning off of fossil fuels in regards to the upcoming UN climate negotiations this December. Contact Joe Heegaard at joseph@greencorps.org or (612) 418-7715.
Mon, Nov 16 – A Cure for Capitalism (Ames)
Richard Wolff will speak as part of the Iowa State University Lectures Program at 8:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Wolff has innovative ideas which would allow for a sustainable and authentic democracy. Check out his work on rdwolff.com.
Sat, Nov 21 – Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit (Ankeny)
At FFA Enrichment Center, Des Moines Area Community College, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy. A day-long event, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with eighteen seminars offering practical solutions to today’s business challenges. Visit info@iesusa.org or call (515) 288-3188 for more information.
November 30-December 11 – U.N. Climate Summit (Paris, France)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited world leaders from government, finance, business, and civil society to galvanize and catalyze climate action. He has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement.
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