Branstad blasts Obama over pipeline; Iowans vow to keep fighting
Gov. Terry Branstad blasted the Obama administration for being "out of touch" with working-class Americans after halting construction on the Dakota Access pipeline, though some Iowans vowed to continue fighting its progress through the state.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Sunday denied an easement for the controversial oil pipeline to cross Lake Oahe, a reservoir in North Dakota that is managed by the Corps.
It was the last contested portion of the nearly complete pipeline, which runs through Iowa and three other states. A report filed by Dakota Access with the Iowa Utilities Board Nov. 27 shows the majority of work constructing the pipeline across 18 Iowa counties has been completed, though some cleanup and testing remain.
Branstad accused President Barack Obama of caving to "a few elitist billionaires" like environmental advocate and Democratic donor Tom Steyer.
"These are union people that built this pipeline through Iowa," Branstad said Monday. "They were wearing caps that say 'Make America Great Again.' They voted for Trump ... because they want a leader that’s for jobs, that’s going to make America great again, but also make America energy independent. And this administration hasn’t learned the lesson. They have alienated the working people of America and this eleventh-hour action to delay the finishing touches on this just shows how out of touch they are."
'This is history,' tribes say of Dakota Access pipeline halt
A Donald Trump spokesman on Monday reiterated the president-elect's support of the pipeline.
“With regard to the Dakota Access pipeline, that’s something that we support construction of, and we’ll review the full situation when we’re in the White House and make the appropriate determination at that time,” said spokesman Jason Miller.
About two dozen people gathered at the Iowa Utilities Board Monday afternoon to celebrate the decision and to register their own complaints with the state over its handling of the pipeline. The group voiced concerns about the environmental effects of the pipeline on Iowa water and soil as well as the use of eminent domain to take private land for construction.
"We’re going to let them know that they can make this right by immediately revoking the permit and telling Dakota Access they’re no longer welcomed in Iowa," said Kari Carney, executive director of the land use advocacy organization 1,000 Friends of Iowa.
'We are not going anywhere,' pipeline protesters insist
The group delivered a letter to the Utilities Board formally requesting that the regulatory panel revoke the permit.
“The permit is currently in litigation, so the board would not have any comment on the actual permit," said Don Tormey, the board's communication director.
Tormey and his staff took questions from the protesters, who wanted to know about environmental impacts from construction, the number of Iowa jobs created and whether the Army Corps of Engineers' decision has changed anything. He promised to review and answer their questions in writing.